Yet this s.p.a.ce of time was enough to carry them over the worst of the burning forest.
Then they began to settle again, the smoke rolling blackly on all sides of them.
"We"re goners!" groaned Greson. "Good-by."
Splash! What was this? Both could scarcely believe the evidence of their senses.
They had dropped into the very center of a little lake in the midst of the forest. Down they went, with the burning balloon settling over them.
Both knew enough to leap from the basket and dive under. It was well they did so; otherwise they would have been caught in the folds of the ignited monster and drowned like rats in a trap.
Leo took a long dive, and when he came up he was fully fifty feet away from what was left of the once valuable balloon, now partly above and partly below water, and still burning and hissing.
"Larry, where are you?" he called out.
He received no reply, but a moment later perceived his a.s.sistant puffing and blowing not a dozen feet away.
"This is awful!" spluttered Greson. "We"ve escaped from fire to be drowned."
"Nonsense! Come, let us swim ash.o.r.e."
"How can we do that when the fire is on all sides of the lake?" was Greson"s dismayed answer.
"I"ll find some spot to land, never fear," was Leo"s confident reply.
He led the way, and Greson, being a good swimmer, easily followed.
The firebrands were thick about them, and often they had to duck to get out of the way of being burned. It was with difficulty that they could get any fresh air.
To one side of the lake, which was not over three hundred feet in diameter, Leo beheld a number of high rocks comparatively free from burning brush. Hither he directed his course.
"We can get on the rocks, if nothing else," he said.
"Yes, and have our feet blistered," growled Greson. "I"ll bet the stones are as hot as pepper."
"We"ll try them, anyway."
The young gymnast swam around with great care before he essayed to land.
Presently he discovered a little cove, and further on a split in the rocks several feet in width.
"Just the spot! Come," he shouted to Greson.
He led the way into the narrow opening. Fifteen feet further on was a bit of a cave, and into this the pair crawled on hands and knees.
It was much cooler in the cave than it had been outside. By lying flat on the flooring they managed to get a current of fresh air. There was also a little pool there, and both washed the sweat and smoke from their faces and procured a drink. They were exhausted, and only too glad to about lie down and rest in their safe retreat.
"A narrow escape, truly," said Leo with a shiver.
"We ain"t out of it yet," returned Greson.
"I know that."
"We may have to stay here a week, and without food; that won"t be very pleasant."
Slowly the day wore on.
Overhead the flames crackled and roared as if delighted to hold sway over such an immense area of woods.
Once the wind changed a bit and blew the smoke directly down upon them.
But just as they had about made up their minds that they would have to seek new quarters it went back, and they were molested no more on that score.
Toward evening both began to feel hungry.
"There ought to be lots of dead birds and small animals around," said the young gymnast. "But the thing is to get hold of them."
"I"m not going to venture out-at least not yet," said Greson.
"All right-let"s wait till empty stomachs drive us out."
"I have an idea. The lake-it must have fish in it."
"That"s right!" cried Leo.
He had some line in his pocket. Soon he had made a hook with a big bent pin.
In the meantime Greson dug around among some dirt near the pool for worms. He brought out several.
The line was baited, a stone put on for a sinker and thrown into the water. Then they went back to the cave.
Twice they found the line as they had left it. But the third time something was on it. They hauled in the catch.
It was a fat, spotted fish, weighing nearly two pounds.
"Good!" shouted Greson. "Now to cook him. Heaven knows there is fire enough!"
Half an hour later the fish was done to a turn. They ate him with a big relish, and at once threw out the line again, in hope of catching something for the morning meal.
CHAPTER XXVII.-ESCAPE FROM THE BURNING FOREST.
The night pa.s.sed and half of the next day.
The two remained in the cave, living on fish alone.
It looked as if they would have to remain in the cave a week, perhaps longer.