The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-09-02


been seen hanging only in one spot, had
now extended in line along the horizon,
gradually edging around SO as to head off
the travellers. But this was done so inn
perceptibly that, for long time, the travel
lers were not aware Of it, and they had
journeyed at least haitian hour before they
saw their danger. At length the bride
spoke again.
Surely, dear Edward she said, adj
dressing her husband, the fire is sweep
ing around ahead of US: | have been
watching it by yonder blasted pine, and
can see it slowly creeping across the
trunk
Every eye was instantly turned in the
direction in which she pointed, and her
brother, who was driving, involuntarily
checked the horses. A look of dismay
was on each countenance as they saw the
words of the bride verified. There could
be no doubt that the fire had materially
changed its bearing since they last spoke,
and now threatened to cut off their escape
altogether.
Il wish, Ellen. we had listened TO your
fears aud turned back half an hour ago.
said the brother we had better do it at
once
God help us-that is impossible said
the husband, looking backwards, the fire
has cut of our retreat.
II was as he said. The flames, which
at first started at point several miles dis
tant and at right angles to the road the
party was travelling, had spread out in
every direction, and finding the swamp in
the rear of the travellers parched almost
to finder by the drought, had extended
with inconceivabe velocity in that quar-
ter, so that dense cloud of smoke, be-
meath which dark lurid veil Of fire
surged and rolled, completely cut off any
rc,rograde movement on the part of the
travellers. This volume of flame, more
over, was evidently moving rapidly in
pursuit. The cheeks, even of the male
members of the bridal party, turned ashy
pale at the sight.
There is nothing to do but to push on,
said the brother, we will yet clear the
road before the fire reaches it,
'And if | remember said the husband
there is road branching off to the right
scarce half mile ahead we can gain
that easily, when we shall be safe. Chear
up, Ellen, there is no danger. This is
our wedding morn-let me not see you
sad.'
The horses were now urged forward at
brisk pace, and in a few minutes the
bridal party reached the cross-road.
Their progress was now directly from the
fire: all peril seemed at an end; and the
spirits of the group rose in proportion to
their late depression. Once more the
merry laugh was heard, and the song rose
up gaily on the morning air. The con-
hagration still ragged behind, but at dis
lance that placed all fear at defiance,
while in front the fire, although edging
down towards them, approached at pace
so slow that they knew it would not reach
the road until perhaps hours after they
had attained their journeys end. A,
length the party subsidized again into 81.
lence, occupying themselves in gazing on
the magnificent spectacle presented by the
lurid flames, as, rolling their huge
volumes Of smoke above them, they roar
ed down towards the travellers.
The forest is as dry as POWDER said
the husband--'I never saw connagra.
lion travel so rapidly. The fire cannot
have been kindled many hours, and it has
already spread for miles. Little did you
think, Ellen he said turning fondly ia
his bride, 'when we started this morning,
that you should SO narrowly escape such
a peril
And, as | live, the peril is not we,
over suddenly exclaimed the brother
see---see--a fire has broke out on oul
right, and is coming down OH us like 4
whrlwind. God have mercy on u.s.
He spoke with an energy that woult
have startled his hearers without the fear
iul words he uttered. But when they
followed the direction Of his quiverin,
finger, shrek burst from the two fe
males, while the unusually collected hus
band turned ashy pale, not for himself
but for her who was dearer to him thai
his own life. A fire, during the last few
minutes, had started to lie in the forest t.
their right, and, as the wind was from
that quarter, the flames were seen ahea
shooting down towards the road whicI
the bridal party were traversing, roaring
kissing, and laundering as they drew near
Drive taste, for heavens sake--on tn
Il