Hastily unclosing my
window, I heard the sound of "Fire! fire!" echoed by many voices, and
accompanied by the hasty tread of many feet upon the pavement. I
observed the appearance of fire a few streets distant, but was unable to
make out its exact location. I listened eagerly, hoping to gain from the
many voices which reached my ears some account of the burning building.
Presently the words--"Mr. Leighton's house is burning!" reached my
excited ears. I saw that the fire was raging fearfully, as the adjacent
streets were becoming lighter by the flames. I was about to call my
uncle, when I heard his step approaching. A moment after he rapped at my
door. Just then Mrs. O'Flaherty rushed up the stairs, breathless with
terror.
"May the Saints defend us!" she exclaimed, as she burst into my
apartment; "but is the city on fire? For wasn't it the light o' the
flames shinin' on me windy that waked me out o' me sound slape."
My uncle endeavoured to allay her terrors, telling her that the city was
certainly not on fire, although there was a burning building in our near
vicinity. He soon declared his intention of visiting the scene of the
fire.
I begged him to be careful and not expose himself to danger.
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