Arkansas intelligencer. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1842-1859, 1844-05-04

destruction and oarn the worst. 1t afterward |
proved that the explosion ofthe cartridges in the |
wagon was what we had mistaken for tho report |
of our six-pounder.
With redoubled exertions we now pushed for. |
ward towards the camp, but before we could reach
the base of the high and rugged bluff the flames
were dashing down its sides withfrightfu rapidi-
ty, eaping and flashing across the gules and
around the hideous cliffs, and roaring in the deep,
yawnng chasms with the wild and appalling noise
Of tornado. As the flames would strike the dry
tops of the cedars, reports, resembling those ofthe
musket, would be heard; and in such quick sue
cession did these reports follow each other, that
can compare them to nothing savs the irregular
discharge of infantry--a strange accompaniment to
the wild roar of the devouring element.
The wind was blowing fresh from the west
when the prairie was first ignitcd, carrying the
flames, with speed absolutely astounding, over
the very ground on which we had travelled during
the day. The wind lulled as the sun went down
behind tho mountains in the west, and now the fire
began to spread slowly in that direction. The
difficult passage by which VIC had descended was
cut off by the fire, and night found our party still
in the valley, unable to discover any other road
to the table-land above. Our situation was dam
gerous one, too; for had the wind sprung up and
veercd into the east, should have found much
diff Guilty in escaping, with such velocity did the
flames extend.
If the scene had been grand previous to the
going down of the sun, its magnifcence was in
creased tenfodas night in vain attempted to throw
its dark mantle over the earth. The light from
acres and acres, might say miles, of infammable
and blazing cedars, illuminated earth and sky with
radiance even more lustrous and dazzling than
that of the poonday sun. Ever and anon, MS
some of our comrades would approach the brow
of the high hnF above ia, no nppea red not like
an inhabitant of this earth. A Iurd and most I'M
natural glow, reflected upon his countenance from
the valley of burning cedars, seemed to render
still more haggard and toilsome his burned and
backened features.
was fortunate enough. about nino O'Clock to
meet ono OF our men, who directed me to pas.
sage up the steep ascent. Ho had Just left the
oluH above, and gave mo riteoue racial Of our
situation. He endeavouring to find water,
after several hours of unceasing toll. and left
, him with slight hopes that his search would be re-
wardod. BY this time was alone, not one of the
companions who had started with me from the riv.
or being in sight or hearing. Ono by one they
had dropped off, each searching for some path by
which he might climb to The tabIe-land above.
The hrst person met, after reaching the pra-
re, was MIR. Falconer, standing with the backen-
ed remnant of blanket in his hand, and watching
lest fire should break out on the western side Of
the camp; for in that direction the exertons of the
men, aided by strong westerly wind, had pre-
q.
Mr.F directed pc to the spot where our mess
was quartered. | found them sitting upon such
articles as had been saved from the wagon, their
gloomy countenances rendered more responding
by the reflection from the now distant fro. |
was too much worn down by fatigue and deep
anxiety 10 make many inquiries to the extent
OF our loss; but hungry, and almost choked with
thirst, threw myself upon the blackened ground
and sought forgetfulness in sleep. 1t was hours
hnxun boz -.
the spot on which was lying, broad sheet of
hame could still be seen, miles in width the heav-
ems in that direction SO lrianty lit up that they
resembled sea of molten gold. In the west a |
wall Of impenetrabte blackness appeared to be
thrown up as the spectator suddenly turned from
viewing the connagraton in the opposite direc-
ton. The subdued yet deep roar of the element
could still be plainly heard it sped on as with
the wings of lightning across the praires, while
in the valley far below, the flames wore flashing
and lcaping among the dry cedars, and shooting
and cIrcns about in manner closely resembling
magnificent pyrotechnic dsplay-the general
combination forming scene of grandeur and SUBJ
Unity which the pen shrnks from describing and
to which the power of words swholIy unequal.
Daylight the next morning disclosed a mean,
choy scene of desolation and destruction. North
south, and east as far the eye could REACH the
rough and broken country was blackened by fire,
cedars and tall grass but laid bare, in painful dis.
thickness, the awful chasms and rents in the steep
hillside before us, as we'll as the valley spreading
far and wide below. Afar off, in the distance, a
dense black smoke was seen rising, denoting that
the course Of tho devastating element was still on.
ward. Two of our wagons only had boon entirely
consumed, but nearly all had suffered. A part of
the baggage in the commissioner wagon had been
saved by the extraordinary exertions of some of
the men, and just they had reinqushed the
work tho explosion of tho cartridges, which had
alarmed the party first in the valley, scattered
the burning fragments of the wagon in every d.
rection. My friend Faconer was so disfgured
that hardly knew him. His hair and eyebrows
were scorched completely off, his face was in a
perfect blister, his clothes burned from his back
and, without hat, he seemed as though some in
surance Office had met with heavy loss. OBJ
ject of pity, however,, as he appeared to be,
still could not help smiling at the sad and wo-be-
Como figure he presented. Among the few trunks
saved fortunately found mine, containing yearly
all my money, clothing, watch, and other valua-
bIes. The loss of carpet bag, which contained
m hoOfs nd the rouuh rficles which I ,uora