The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-22
Fire on The saeu.,a,n.

A little before sunset ! descended the
mountain to the springs and being vely
tired, after taking refreshing draught OF
cold watel, lay down On the rock 10y the
side Of the water and lell asleep. When
awoke the sun had already set; but although
darkness was fast gathering over the noun
tain, was surprised " see bright light
Pickering against its sides. A glance as
sured ME that The mountain was on fire, and
starting up, saw at once the danger OF my
position. The bottom had been fired about
a mile below the springs, and but short
distance from where had secured my ami
mails. A dense cloud of smoke was hang
ing over the gorge, and presently light air
springing up from the east, mass Of flame
shot up into the sky and rolled fiercely up
the Stream, the belt Of dry dust upon its
banks catching fire and burning like finder.
The mountain was already invaded by the
devouring element, and two wings OF fame
spread out from the main stream, which,
roaring along the bottom with the speed Of
a race horse, licked the mountain side, ex.
tending its long line as it advanced. The
dry pines and ceders Kissed and cracked as
the flame, reaching them, ran up their trunks
and spread amongst the limbs, whilst the
long, waving grass underneath was sea oil
fire. From the rapidity with which the fire
advanced, | feared that it would already
have reached my animals, and hurried al
once to the spot us fast as | could run. The
prairie itself was as yet untouched, but the
surrounding ridges were clothed in fire, and
the mules with stretched ropes were trem
bling with fear. Throwing the saddle or
my horse, and the pack on the steadies
mule, / quickly mounted, leaving on the
ground pile Of meat, which had not TINT
TO carry with me. The fire had already
gained the prairie, and its long, dry gras
was soon a sheet of flame; but, worse thar
all, the gap through which ! had to retrea
was burning. Setting spurs into Panchito'
sides, dashed him at the burning brush
and though his name and tail were singed il
the attemp., he CALAMITY charged through
il. Looking back, saw the mules hud
died together on the other side, and evident
ly fearing to pass the burning barrier. As
however, to stop would have been fatal,
dashed on, but before | had proceeded twent,
yards, my old hunting mule, singed an,
smoking, was by my side, and the other
close behind her.
On all sides was surrounded by fire.
The whole scenery was Illuminated, tn
peaks and distant ridges being as plainl
visible as at MONDAY. The bottom was
roaring mass of fame, but on the other side
the prairie being more bare Of cedar bushe:
the fire was less fierce, and presented tn
; only way OF escape. 10 reach ii, however
the creek had to be crossed, and the bushe
on the banks were burning fercely, whic
rendered it no easy matter /; moreover, tn
l edges were coated above the water with THO
! ice which rendered it still more difficult.
4 succeeded pushing Panchito into the stream
but in attempting to climb the oPposit
r bank, blaze OF fire was pulled into his fac'
which caused him TO rear on end, ard h
: hind feet flying away from him at the san
moment on the ice, he fell backward int
the middle Of the stream, and rolled over N
in the deepest water. Panchito rose ON h
\ legs, and stood trembling with alright
the middle Of the stream, whilst Owed an
+ CROPPED for my rifle, which had slipped frol
J. my hands, and Of course sunk to the bottom
u After a search OF some minutes found
, and again mounting, made another attem
> to cross a little further down, in which | su
ceeded, and followed by the mules, dasht
through the fire, and got safely Though Il
line OF blazing brush.-Rurton's Aduei
II t,treS IN MeIico, &c,