heard above all the stir and din a loud, clear voice, which I knew was
master's:
James Howard! James Howard! Are you there? There was no answer, but I
heard a crash of something falling in the stable, and the next moment
I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke
leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, and he was not able
to speak.
My brave lad! said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, are you
hurt?
James shook his head, for he could not yet speak.
Ay, said the big man who held me; he is a brave lad, and no mistake.
And now, said master, when you have got your breath, James, we'll get
out of this place as quickly as we can, and we were moving toward the
entry, when from the market-place there came a sound of galloping feet
and loud rumbling wheels.
'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine! shouted two or three voices,
stand back, make way! and clattering and thundering over the stones
two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The
firemen leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire
was--it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof.
We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; the
stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still.
Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, and as soon as
the hostler came, he said, James, I must now hasten to your mistress;
I trust the horses entirely to you, order whatever you think is needed,
and with that he was gone. The master did not run, but I never saw
mortal man walk so fast as he did that night.
There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls--the shrieks of
those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable--it was
very terrible! and made both Ginger and me feel very bad. We, however,
were taken in and well done by.
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