"Stop the machinery!" he cried, hoping Robert was close enough to hear. Nothing happened. John would have to run back down to turn off the equipment. He was reluctant to douse the smoke with the water he carried, for fear of cooling the metal or the stone too fast and causing it to crack. Perhaps if he hurried he could get there before any flames started.

He threw the fire bucket on the hook by the stairs and raced back down. He reached for the big lever that would disengage the wheel from the drive, bringing the gears and belts to a standstill.

"What's happening?" yelled his father over the noise.

"Turn it off!" yelled John without further explanation. "Where's Robert?"

"Up at the house," Father replied putting his weight behind the huge lever. Gradually the mill quieted as the equipment slowly came to a stop.

"Too late," yelled Father pounding up the stairs and grabbing the water bucket off the hook where John had hung it. The water was not enough to put out the flames, and Father stamped at the rags. "Bell!" Father shouted to John who stood frozen, looking up at his father, who was still stamping as the flames moved on to the canvas strapping that covered the screw that carried the ground flour to be sifted.

Carrying a second fire bucket outside John dropped it by the millrace and rang the bell that hung by the door. Robert was the first to come running down the hill. John did not wait for him. He filled the second bucket and carried it up the stairs at a dead run.

Father had taken off his coat and was hitting the flames with all his strength. John emptied the second bucket at the base of the flames. Then he pulled off his shirt and used it to hit at the flames. Robert was close behind with a third bucket.

"The others are coming," gasped Robert, tossing his bucket out the window to Cat who refilled it and sent it up the stairs with Grandfather. Ann was next with the fire buckets from the house. Cat filled buckets and shoved them at anyone standing near her.