Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-14

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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 couptenance as they saw the
words of the bride verified. There could
be no doubt that the FIRE had materially
changed its bearings since they last spoke,
and now threatened to cut off their escape
altogether.
L wish, Ellen, we had listened to your
fears, and turned back half an hour ago.
said the brother we had better do so at
once
God help us-this is impossible!' said
the husband, looking backward the fire
has cut off our retreat
1t was as he said. The flames, which
at first had started at point several miles
distant and at right angles with the road
the party was travelling, had spread out
in every direction, and finding the swamp
in the rear of the travellers parched al
most to tinder by the drought, had ex-
tended with 'inconceivable velocity in that
quarter, so that dense cloud of smoke,
beneath which dark lurid veil of fire
surged and rolled, completely cut off any
travellers. This volume of flames, more
over, was evidently moving rapidly in
pursuit. The checks, even of the male
members ofthe bridal party, turned eshY
pale Mt the sight.
There is nothing to do butte push on,
said the brother; we will yet clear the
road before the fire reaches it.
And if L remember said the hus-
=. NF to
the right, scarcely half mile ahead we
can gain that easily, when we shall be
safe. Cheer up, Ellen, there is no dan
ger. This is our wedding morn--let me
not see you sad
The horses were urged forward at
brisk pace, and in few minutes the bri-
dal 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 conaagra-
ton still ragged behind, but at distance
that placed all fear at defiance while in
front, the fire although vdging down to-
wards them, approached at n pace so
slow that they knew it would not reach
the road until perhaps hours after they
had attained their journeys end. AT
length the party subsidized into silence,
occupying themselves in gazing on the
magnificent spectacle presented by the lu-
rid flames, as rolling their huge volumes
Of smoke above them, they roared down
toward the travellers.
The forest is as dry as powder said
the husband: i never saw contlagra-
ton travel so rapidly, The fire cannot
have been kindIed many hours and it has
already spread for miles. Little did you
think, Ellen no snid, turning fondly to
his bride, when we started this morning,
that you should narrowly escape such a
peril =.
And as live the peril is not over !
suddenly exclaimed the brother, see-see
tho fire has broke out on our right, and
is coming down on us like whirlwind.-
God have mercy on us
lie spoke with an energy that would
have startled his hearers without the fear
full words he uttered. But when they
followed the direction of his quivering
finger shrek burst from the two fe-
males, and the usually collected husband
turned ashy pale, not for himself, but for
her who was dcarcr to him than his own
life. A fire, during the last few minutes
had sprung to life in the forest to their
right, and as the wind was from that
quarter, the flames were seen ahead
shooting down towards the road which
the bridal party was traversing, roaring
and kissing, and laundering as they drew
near.
Drive faster, for heavens sake !-on
the gallop!' exclaimed the husband, as he
comprehended the ininency of their dan
ger
The brother made no reply for he well
knew their fearful situation, but whipped
the horses into a run. The chaise flew
along the narrow forest road with q ra-
pidity neither Of the party had ever be-
fore witnessed; for even the animals
themselves seemed aware of their peril,
Fand strained every sinew to escape from
the fiery death which threatened them.
Their situation was indeed terrible, and
momontarily becoming moro precarious.
The fire when first seen, was al least half
q mile off, but nearly equi-distant from
n point in the road the bridal party was
traversing and, as the FIRE swept down
towards the road with a velocity equal to
that of the travellers, it soon became evil
dent that they would have barely time to
pass the fire ere it swept across the road,
thus cutting off all escape Each saw
this but the females were now paralyzed
with fear. Only the husband spoke.
Faster for Gods sake, faster = he
hoarsely cried, you see not that the fire
is making for yonder tall pine? We shall
not be able to reach the trees first, unless
we drive faster
L will do my best, said the brother,
l1..h;,.. nt;n rnnrn f,rinrslu the fnaminO