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.
