“Fire！ Fire！” The cry crept out on the still night air， and the fire bells began to ring. Fred was wakened by the alarm and the red light streaming into his room. He dressed himself in a moment1， and tapped at the door of his mothers bedroom.

“It is Mr. Bartons house， mother. Do let me go.” He said in eager2， excited tones. Mrs. Liscom thought a moment. He was young， but she could trust him， and she knew how much his heart was in the request.

“Yes， you may go，” she answered， “but be careful， my boy. If you can help， do so， but do nothing rashly.” Fred promised to follow her advice， and hurried to the fire.

Mr. and Mrs. Barton were not at home. The house had been left in charge of3 the servants.The fire spread with fearful speed， for there was a high wind， and it was found impossible to save the house. The servants ran about， screaming and lamenting， but doing nothing to any purpose.

Fred found Tom outside， in safety. “Where is Katy？” he asked. Tom， trembling with terror， seemed to have had no thought but of his own escape. He said， “Katy is in the house！” “In what room？” asked Fred. “In that one，” pointing to a window in the upper story.

It was no time for words， but for instant， vigorous4 action. The staircase was already on fire； there was but one way to reach Katy， and that was full of danger. The second floor might fall at any moment， and Fred knew it. But he trusted in an arm stronger than his own， and silently sought help and guidance.

A ladder was quickly brought， and placed against the house. Fred mounted it， followed by the hired man， dashed in the sash of the window， and pushed his way into the room where the poor child lay nearly suffocated with smoke.

He roused her with some difficulty， carried her to the window， and placed her upon the sill. She was instantly grasped by strong arms， and carried down the ladder， Fred following as fast as possible. They had scarcely5 reached the ground before a crash of falling timbers told them that they had barely escaped with their lives.

Tom Barton never forgot the lesson of that night， and he came to believe， and to act upon the belief， in after years， that true manliness is in harmony with gentleness， kindness， and self-denial.

“著火了！着火了！”惊惶的声音打破了夜的寂静，火警警报响了起来。弗雷德被警报声惊醒，红色的警灯照进他的屋子。他迅速穿上衣服，轻轻地叩响母亲的卧室门。

“是巴顿先生家的房子着火了，妈妈，我去看看。”他急切地说。里斯克姆夫人犹豫了一会儿，她想，弗雷德还太年轻，但是她相信他会照顾好自己，而且她知道他是多么迫切地想去帮助他们。

“好吧，你可以去，”母亲回答说，“但是要当心，我的孩子，你可以尽力帮助他们，但不要莽撞。”弗雷德承诺会遵从母亲的叮嘱，然后急匆匆地赶往着火地点。

巴顿先生和太太都不在家，房子暂由仆人照管。火势以可怕的速度蔓延，因为风非常大，挽救房子是不可能了。仆人们四散奔逃，却没有做任何有意义的事。

弗雷德看到汤姆，急忙问道：“凯特在哪儿？”汤姆被吓得浑身发抖，他除了想逃跑，脑子里一片空白。“她还在房间里。”“哪个房间？”弗雷德问。“那个。”汤姆用手指向二楼的一个窗户。

没时间多想，现在需要赶快救人。楼梯已经着火，只有通过楼梯才能救凯特，但那太危险了。第二层的楼板随时可能倒塌，可是弗雷德相信上帝一定会保佑他的。

人们很快架起一架梯子，弗雷德爬上去，一个消防员也跟上去，他猛撞窗户上的窗格，挤进屋子。屋里可怜的孩子已经快被烟熏得窒息了。

弗雷德好不容易叫醒凯特，并将她架到窗口，放到窗台上，她立刻被一双强有力的手接住，送下了梯子。弗雷德也飞速跟下。他们刚刚到达地面就听见一声轰响，房屋倒塌了，他们差点被困在里面。

汤姆·巴顿永远也忘不了那个晚上，他意识到真正的勇敢是和爱心与奉献联系在一起的。从那之后，他一直以此作为自己的行为准则。