The three savages finally disappeared a mile down the river, and Tom, after scanning the surrounding country and satisfying himself that there were no others in the immediate neighborhood, hurried to the place where Joe and Judie were hidden.
"They've gone at least," he said, "and now Joe, we must put this fire out, if we can.

Judie, you stay here, and if you find the smoke bothers you, go further down the alley that way.

Don't try to stay if the smoke comes." How to stop the fire was the problem.

Fortunately there was very little wind, and what there was blew chiefly from up the river.

The flames had spread over a considerable space, however, and the boys had hardly anything with which to work.
They carried water in their hats from the river, which was only a few yards away, now that it had risen to the bottom of the second bank.
This was altogether too slow a way of working, however, and the fire was visibly gaining on the boys.