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           Asthelongdrygrassandthehighwindtookitleapingfromtimberstandtotimberstandtheysattheirfrightened,jobbinghorsesandlookedintothewesthelplessly.Nousetryingtostopithere;anarmycouldn’tstopithere.Theywouldhavetogobacktothehomesteadanddefendthatiftheycould.Alreadythefrontwasfivemileswide;iftheydidn’tpushtheirwearymountstheytoowouldbecaught,andpassed.Toobadforthesheep,toobad.Butitcouldn’tbehelped.

           OldTomwasstillhosingthehousesbythecreekwhentheyclatteredthroughthethinblanketofwaterontheford.

           "Goodbloke,Tom!"Bobshouted."Keepitupuntilitgetstoohottostay,thengetoutinplentyoftime,hearme?Norashheroism;you’remoreimportantthansomebitsofwoodandglass."

           Thehomesteadgroundswerefullofcars,andmoreheadlightswerebouncingandglaringdowntheroadfromGilly;alargegroupofmenstoodwaitingforthemasBobturnedintothehorseyards.

           "Howbigisit,Bob?"MartinKingasked.

           "Toobigtofight,Ithink,"saidBobdespairingly."Ireckonit’saboutfivemileswideandinthiswindit’stravelingalmostasfastasahorsecangallop.Idon’tknowifwecansavethehomestead,butIthinkHorryoughttogetreadytodefendhisplace.He’sgoingtogetitnext,becauseIdon’tseehowwecaneverstopit."

           "Well,we’reoverdueforabigfire.Thelastbigonewasin1919.I’llorganizeapartytogotoBeel-Beel,butthereareplentyofusandmorecoming.