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So far the season's catch was barely up to that of a good month

in normal times; credit was low, and salting and drying were

almost useless, for the people ate most of their own catch.

Things were at a standstill.

And now the fire on top of all!

Captain Code Schofield thought of all these things as he ran

along the King's Road toward the fire. Now he was almost upon it,

and could see that the fish stand and wharf of the two wealthiest

men in the village were burning furiously. The roar of the flames

came to him.

A hundred yards back from the water stood Bill Boughton's general

store, and next it, in a row, dwellings; typical white

fishermen's cottages with green blinds and a flower-filled dory

in the front yard.

The King's Road divided at Bill Boughton's store, the branch

leading down to the wharfs, while the main road went on to

Swallowtail Light. Schofield plunged down the branch into the

full glare of the fire, where a crowd of men had already

gathered.