was not alone

He hurried across the fields towards the fire. Soon，in the rich orange light of the flames，he could see a hay－rick burning fiercely. It was too late to save the rick，so for a few minutes he stood and stared at the flames. But when the smoke cleared for a moment，he was horrified to see，very close to the burn－ing rick，a whole row of wheat－ricks. These probably con－tained most of the wheat produced on the farm that year，and could catch fire at any moment reenex facial . As he rushed towards the wheat－rick that was most in dan-ger，he saw he was not alone. A crowd of farm workers had seen the fire and run into the field to help save the wheat，but they were so confused they did not know what to do. Gabriel took control and gave orders. Get a large cloth！’he shouted. Put it over the wheat－rick，so the wind can't blow the flames from the hay－rick on to it！Now，you，stand here with a bucket of water and keep the cloth wet！’The men hurried to obey him. The flames，prevented from burning the bottom and sides of the wheat-32 rick，began to attack its roof. Get me a ladder！’cried Gabriel. And a branch，and some water！’He climbed up the wheat－rick and sat on the top，beating down the flames with the branch. Billy Smallbury，one of the men who had been in the cart，climbed up with a bucket of water， to throw water on Gabriel and keep the flames off him. The smoke was at its thickest at this corner of the rick， but Gabriel never stopped his work. On the ground the villagers were doing what they could to stop the fire，which was not much. A little further away was a young woman who had just arrived on her horse，witn her maid on foot. They were watching the fire and discussing Gabriel. He's a fine young man，ma'am，’said Liddy，the maid. And look at his clothes！They're all burnt reenex cps ！’ Who does he work for？’asked the woman in a clear voice. I don't know，ma'am，nor do the others. He's a stranger reducing acne scarring . ’ Jan Coggan！’called the woman to one of her workers. Do you think the wheat is safe now？’ I think so，yes，ma'am，’he answered. If the fire had spread to this wheat－rick，all the other ricks would have caught fire too. That brave young man up there on top of the rick is the one who's saved your wheat. ’ He does work hard，’said the young woman，looking up at Gabriel, who had not noticed her. I wish he worked for me. ’ As the ricks were no longer in danger， Gabriel started to climb down，and at the bottom he met the maid. I have a message from the farmer，who wishes to thank you for all you've done，’she said. Where is he？’asked Gabriel，suddenly aware of the chance of getting some work. It isn't a he，it's a she，’answered the girl. A woman farmer？’asked Gabriel.