IV
THE RESCUE
There was some sort of a movement across the way--then to Jack's greatrelief he saw Perk's head appear in the open window.
He had a small figure in his arms--the boy, undoubtedly and was alreadystarting out upon the bridge. Jack could see no sign of life about thelittle child and had some fear that the rescue might have been too lateto save him from being smothered by that dense smoke.
Just then he also discovered that another figure had appeared back ofPerk, and readily guessed this must be the woman. She seemed to beholding the ends of the ironing boards as though possessed of a deadlyfear lest they slip from the stone coping and precipitate both child andrescuer to their death in a wild plunge.
That caused Jack to tighten his own hold for Perk was havingconsiderably more trouble in making his return than on his previouscrossing since he now had to push the child ahead of him, being unableto navigate and hold a burden, however helpless, in his arms.
Again the firemen below were shouting words of praise and encouragementto the gallant soul that so fearlessly risked his own life for that ofanother. With them such exploits came in line with their duty, but inthis case it was simply an act of humanity.
Jack waited until Perk had pushed the child against his hands, thencautiously he loosened his grip on the right board and dragged the lightweight over the window sill to safety. Perk clambered in and immediatelymade a suggestive move as though about to turn around and do his stuntall over again but Jack refused to stand for such a thing.
"You've had your inning, buddy, so don't be hoggish," he bawled as heshoved Perk aside, "now it's my turn. Take hold, and keep the boards assteady as you can while I fetch the woman across."
Perk was very loath to obey and doubtless did a lot of grumbling, butJack paid no further attention to him, just began to creep out on thatnarrow bridge, and move ahead inches at a time. He dared not look downlest it have some sinister effect upon his nerve--just kept his eyesfirmly fixed upon that window toward which he was creeping.
The poor woman was still in sight, wringing her hands and yet evidentlysatisfied to know her child had been safely carried across the abyssthat yawned there so threateningly. Jack would have liked to call outand beg her to keep quiet lest she chance to dislodge one of the frailsupports upon which so much depended but he also feared lest he himselfin thus shouting cause immediate trouble and defeat his purpose.
The crossing was made in safety. It was simply wonderful how those twinplanks held together when the necessity was so great. Jack would neverbe able to look upon such an humble kitchen necessity again, whether ina house or a hardware store window display, without feeling warmly drawntoward the mute object on which his very life now depended.
He crawled through with a tongue of flame darting down and almostlicking his cheek. It was necessary that he should get the woman to goout ahead of him, so that he could encourage her as they crept along.
"Steady yourself, madam," he called out as he felt her hands come incontact with his arm, "it's all right--your boy is safe, and you will betoo if you get a grip on your nerve and do what I tell you."
She was evidently badly shaken as might be expected--he could see howshe trembled and seemed so weak, which was why he spoke as he did, inthe hope of putting a little new confidence in her almost faintingheart.
"You must crawl out ahead of me," he told her. "Don't look down--keepyour eyes on the window where my pal waits for you--just keep saying toyourself that your boy is over there waiting for you--he needs you, andyou must be brave now. There is no other way by which you can be savedto join him again. Can you make the venture, lady?"
He used that last word almost inadvertently, yet already had he decidedthat she was indeed a lady, though poorly dressed and evidently underfinancial difficulties.
He must have inspired his charge with some of his own valor, for he sawher cease trembling and knew full well it had been his mention of areunion with her child that had effected this change.
"Yes, oh yes, I will be brave--for Adrian's sake, my baby boy!" he heardher cry as she started to creep out of the window amidst all that smokeand the devilish tongues of fire that darted after her as if in rage atbeing cheated of their intended prey.
Carefully did Jack follow after her, ready to throw out a helping handshould she make the slightest slip and be in danger of falling. But tohis surprise and delight as well, she seemed to be supported by somemiraculous power for she made the short passage without a single mishap.
Perk made no effort to drag her through the opening--to do so he wouldhave had to take his hands from his job of holding the ends of theplanks and this might lead to a sudden shift that would bring about thevery disaster he had been dreading. His one thought now was the safetyof his pal--the woman was capable of passing over the sill of the windowwithout any assistance.
When, therefore, Jack came over the bridgehead and landed on the floor,the impulsive and thrilled Perk threw his arms about him, words failinghim just then.
"We must get out of this," Jack managed to say, as soon as he couldcatch his breath again, "the fire is almost sure to jump across that gapand start things in this building unless firemen climb up here and holdit in check. Perk take up the child, who I see is beginning to come toall right. I'll help his mother down the stairs. We're all safe andsound, lady, so keep as nervy a front as you can."
Perk cuddled the little chap to his breast and Jack was tickled to seethe boy clasp his own chubby arms around the other's neck as though herealized something of what Perk had done for him and loved him for that.
The descent was made slowly for there was more or less danger of one ofthem slipping and having a bad fall--but presently the last flight ofnarrow rear stairs had been negotiated and they came to the open doorthat led into the alleyway and safety.
They were just in time too, for a party of firefighters with a slackhose were just entering the brick tenement, evidently with the intentionof dragging it to an upper window where, with the water turned on, theycould fight the hungry flames at close quarters and at least keep thesecond building from being involved in the common destruction.
Perk might have been bothered to know what next to do but not theversatile Jack who led the woman out of the crowd and then looked aroundfor some vehicle in which she and the boy could be taken to a hospital,for he had discovered that one of her arms seemed to hang at her side,as though it may have been broken in the excitement.
Fortunately a taxi chanced to come along into which they all bundled andwere taken to the hospital. The boy sat in Perk's lap and his preserverseemed to take positive delight in holding one of the little chap'shands. Noticing how fond Perk seemed to be of children--and this was notthe first time he had learned of this fact, since he had one of hishumorous smiles for almost every child--and dog--he met--Jack wonderedwhy his elder pal had never married but that was a subject Perk nevermentioned nor had Jack felt it his province to make inquiries, sincethere are some things that are no one's business.
A doctor quickly examined the mother's arm and admitted that one of thebones was fractured. It was not a bad break, however, and she could bearound with her arm in a sling after he had attended to it.
Somehow, although as yet supperless, neither of the chums seemed in anyhurry to get away. Perk was held by his attraction toward the chubbylittle boy and as for himself he felt concerned with regard to what thepair they had saved would do, since they no longer had a home and all oftheir scanty possessions must have been devoured by those greedy flames.
He determined not to abandon them until he had learned how the motherwas fixed with regard to this world's goods. Somehow, although shedressed very simply, there was an air of refinement about her thatimpressed Jack very much and he also had an idea she could not be instraightened circumstances for she was wearing a ring of considerablevalue, he noticed.
He managed to enter into conversation with h
er after she had tried totell him she would never forget what he and his friend had done for herthat night. He had listened with his customary smile, shaking his headmeanwhile, as if to belittle their actions.
"We could not have done less, after we saw that the firemen had notplaced any ladder up to that third floor," he went on to tell her. "Andthen, you see my chum here, who lives only for excitement, was justcomplaining that things were so humdrum and dull so it tickled him tohave a chance to test his nerve again. And you can see he's especiallyfond of little boys, not girls. We expect to leave Salt Lake City anyhour now as we are aviators,--flying men you know--and have a job aheadof us. Before saying goodnight to you, madam, would you mind telling usif we can be of any further assistance to you and your fine boyhere--pardon me for mentioning it, but are you supplied with presentfunds, since possibly you may have to remain here in the hospital for aweek or more?"
She looked at him and smiled as though pleased with the solicitude heshowed but she shook her head and hastened to say:
"We are not what you would call poor, for we have good friends back ofus. Indeed, it was my intention to start for Spokane tomorrow as I musttry to find a certain party whose present whereabouts means everythingto me. So please do not worry about us, for we can get on. It was afurnished flat we occupied and while I have lost all my clothes as wellas those of Adrian, that lack can easily be replaced. I thank you foryour card giving me your Washington address. Some day perhaps you mayhear from me and possibly I shall have some pleasant news to tell youbut just now it is all wrapped up in mystery. So much depends on myfinding the one who does not dream of the information we are carrying tohim. If only my clue proves trustworthy."
That was as much as Jack learned and it was bound to often come up inhis mind, causing him to wonder what the "good news" she mentioned couldbe.