They seemed astonished at a direction which implied a voluntary destruction of property, and considered the task as too much in the heart of the danger to be undertaken.

Observing that they were motionless, he dismounted from his horse, and called upon them in an authoritative voice to follow him.

He ascended the house in an instant, and presently appeared upon the top of it, as if in the midst of the flames.

Having, with the assistance of two or three of the persons that followed him most closely, and who by this time had supplied themselves with whatever tools came next to hand, loosened the support of a stack of chimneys, he pushed them headlong into the midst of the fire.

He passed and repassed along the roof; and, having set people to work in all parts, descended in order to see what could be done in any other quarter.