The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-14
VOL. TX.

They had already proceeded three miles
when they came to a beautiful spring o
cool, clear water. Here they all sat down
and with grateful hearts partoOk largely Of
natures beverage. In the mean time MIR
N-drew his pipe from his pocket and
having filled it with the dry Indian weed
Il supply of which he always carried with
him, he soon ignited some by means Of hi:
iacknife and flint. They were now only
short distance from the wood, and having
filled a tea-kettle and pail with water they
went forward and began to cut up some wooc
to kindle a fire.
And now the sun had set, and the ever
ing shades, were gathering fast around them,
beneath the covert of a large tree a fire was
burning brightly, over which was suspended
the tea-kettle: and all things were ready fol
the arrival ofthe party on board tie wagons,
Lydia ran out of the woods a little way into
the prairie TO see if she could discover the
advancing party. She saw them about half a
mile distant, moving slowly on but she saw
at hand, and near the spring, what greatly
alarmed her-a smoke and a Pickering blaze
she ran back in great haste and said, Father
| fear in lighting your pipe you have set thu
prairie On fire !"
Mr.. N-started up as though a thunder
bolt had struck his feet, and rushed forward
to ascertain the truth of Lydia's remark
James and Lydia both followed him. The
moment they emerged from the woods and
got into the open prairie, the awful certainty
burst upon them in a ONE What a sigh
then met their view! The prairie was in.
deed on fire. 1t was now quite dusky, and
the little Pickering blaze which Lydia had
seen had already become a sea of fire. The
wind drove the flames in the direction Of
their friends, whose escape seemed utterly
impossible
The long dry grass which had waved sc
gracefully in the winds. now caught every
where like Under; and went up a long shee
fame that widened and expanded every mo
ment, and mounted up with increasing
brightness and height, as though it would
reach the very skies.
The feelings of this group were excited
almost to agony in behalf of their friends
The thought at length struck them that i
they could only succeed in getting through
the long line of lame they might save them
as the c~onflagration was evidently moving
of from the place were they stood; and a.
the column of flame seemed to extend more
to the right than TO the left, they embraced
the determination to make an effort to reach
their friends in that direction. Reckless o.
consequences, wild with despair, the Instant
w rushed forward, and succeeded in getting
in advance Of rhe fire in one place. Blu
they soon found that the enemy was coming
upon them with the speed and fury of a whirl-
wind.
Mr.. N-liltedu up his voice and shouted
aloud, bidding the teams to move in that
direction, but no sound was returned save
the awful cracking of the advancing flames.
Darkness covered the whole vast prairie,
save where this sweeping column of fire
spread IFS desolating breath. They could no.
where discover a single trace Of the wagons
and now they began to see the peril of theil
own situation. Already were they complete
" environed with the fire, aud all retreat
seemed cut off. The only hope left then
was to endeavOr TO rush through the flames
and to get to the windward side Of the con
hagration. Mr.. N-and James made then
way for awhile through this awful tempest o
flame, the daring Lydia keeping close at thel
heels. At length a point was gained which
seemed to open a prospect of escape; not
moment was to be lost, for already the frt
ragged mound them like a furnace: MIR
N-drawing i'll his breath. dashed through
this awful line of flame. and reached a spo
where the consuming element ceased TO rage
it having already swept aw ay every vestige o
combustible matter. Though scorched, an,
smarting in every limb, he could not but fee
grateful to God for this deliverance, He in
stantly turned 10 see what had become o
his children. At this instant he saw on
bright, lurid sheet of fire mounting up like
vast wave of the ocean, and completely over
whelmins them!
He rushed back to assist them, but tn,
flame like a furnace seven times heated
rolled its intense, frey surge back upon hin
in such a manner that he was obliged to re
treat. At this moment he heard Lydi
shriek-her dress was all on fIe, and he
brother was trying with all his strengt
to bear her through the raging tempest
When it had again in some slight degre,
abated, again the father dashed forward
but another gust of wind swept such a tor
rent of fire over the bodies of his children
that it was impossible for him to reach til
spot where they were. When the burnin!
waves had passed by, he strained his eyes
but in vain, to catch a glimpse of those oh
iects ofhis affection. They were not visible
At length, as the fire marched on, he reach
ed the spot where he had seen his childrel
struggling with the awful element, and ther
he found them both, lying on the ground
their clothes nearly burnt off, and their bod
les half consumed by the devouring flame
His daughter was gasping il death, and hi
son so dreadfully burned that he could scarce
ly move a limb. The fire was still burniD;
the grass around and beneath them.
At a little distance, however, there was
spot where the consuming element had ex
hausted itself; to this place he endeavore'
to remove his children. Poor Lydia almos
expired in his arms. As he laid her dow
on the black and scathed spot Of earth, sh
family said, "Christ is my hopel Jesus cal
make this resting place as soft as downy pill
lows are !" The father FASTENED to remov
his son to the same spot. He there Ian
him with his face towards his sisters. III
soon saw that she was dead, and said to hi
father, a'This is a sad night for us; Lydia j!
gone, and l think | shall soon follow.
"This is an hour" replied his father, iii
which all we can do is to look TO God. Ill
has said. "when thou passest through the FRI
| will be with thee.'"