The flute was saved; and,
as I succeeded in dragging out a heavy chest of cloths, and looked
up once more despairingly to the road, I saw a man running at full
speed. It was my husband. Help was at hand, and my heart uttered a
deep thanksgiving as another and another figure came upon the scene.
I had not felt the intense cold, although without cap, or bonnet,
or shawl; with my hands bare and exposed to the bitter, biting air.
The intense excitement, the anxiety to save all I could, had so
totally diverted my thoughts from myself, that I had felt nothing
of the danger to which I had been exposed; but now that help was
near, my knees trembled under me, I felt giddy and faint, and dark
shadows seemed dancing before my eyes.
The moment my husband and brother-in-law entered the house, the
latter exclaimed,
"Moodie, the house is gone; save what you can of your winter stores
and furniture."
Moodie thought differently. Prompt and energetic in danger, and
possessing admirable presence of mind and coolness when others yield
to agitation and despair, he sprang upon the burning loft and called
for water. Alas, there was none!
"Snow, snow; hand me up pailsful of snow!"
Oh! it was bitter work filling those pails with frozen snow; but
Mr. T - - and I worked at it as fast as we were able.
The violence of the fire was greatly checked by covering the boards
of the loft with this snow. More help had now arrived. Young B - -
and S - - had brought the ladder down with them from the barn, and
were already cutting away the burning roof, and flinging the flaming
brands into the deep snow.
"Mrs. Moodie, have you any pickled meat?"
"We have just killed one of our cows, and salted it for winter
stores."
"Well, then, fling the beef into the snow, and let us have the
brine."
This was an admirable plan. Wherever the brine wetted the shingles,
the fire turned from it, and concentrated into one spot.
But I had not time to watch the brave workers on the roof. I was
fast yielding to the effects of over-excitement and fatigue, when my
brother's team dashed down the clearing, bringing my excellent old
friend, Miss B - -, and the servant-girl.
My brother sprang out, carried me back into the house, and wrapped
me up in one of the large blankets scattered about. In a few minutes
I was seated with the dear children in the sleigh, and on the way to
a place of warmth and safety.
Katie alone suffered from the intense cold. The dear little
creature's feet were severely frozen, but were fortunately restored
by her uncle discovering the fact before she approached the fire,
and rubbing them well with snow.
In the meanwhile, the friends we had left so actively employed at
the house succeeded in getting the fire under before it had
destroyed the walls.
