The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-12-23

velocity in that quatcr so that dense cloud
of smoke, beneath which dark lurid veil of
fire surged and coilcd, completely cut off any
retrogradc movement on the part of the
travellers This volume of fame, moreover,
was evidently moving rapidly in pursuit.
The checks even Of the male members Of
the bridal party turned ashy pale at sight.
"Thcrc is nothing to do but to push on"
said the brother; 1--WE will yet clear the road
before the fire reaches it.
.'And if remember" said the husband
''thcrc is a road branching of to the right
scarce half mile ahead: we can gain that
easily, when we shall be safe. Cheer up,
Ellcn-thcrc is no danger. This is our we'd
ding 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 pro-
gross 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 ga:y on the morning air.
The contlagation still ragged behind but at a
distance that placed all fear at defiance;
while in front, the fire, although edgeing
down towards them, approached at pace so
slow that they knew it would not reach the
road until perhaps hours afteg ivy had at
tainod their journeys end. pgth the
party subsidized again into slend occupying
themselves in gazing on the magnificent spec
taclc pres cnt,d by the lurid flames, as rolling
their huge volumes of smoke above them,
they roarcd down towards the travellers.
THE forest is as dry as power" said the
husband; IL never saw conhagation travel
so rapidly. The fire cannot have been kin
died many hours, and it has already spread
for miles. Little did you think, Ellen" he
said, turning fondly to his bride, ''when we
started this morning, that you should 50 mar
rowly escaped such peril
"And, as live the peril is not yet over"
suddenly exclaimed the brother. Scc-sec
"a fire has broke out on our right and is
coming down on us like whirlwind God
have mercy upon u.s.
| lie spoke with an energy that would have
startled his hearers without the fearful words
he uttered. But when they following the
direction of his quivcring finger, a Shrek
burst from the two females, while the usual
y 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 started to life in the
forest to their right, and as the wind was
from that quarter, the flames were seen
head shooting down towards the road,
which the bridal party was traversing, roar
ing, Kissing and laundering as they drew
near.
Drive faster, for heavens sake ON the
gallop!" exclaimed the husband, as he COM
pretended the immensely Of their danger.
The brother made no answer, for he well
knew their fearful situation but whipped
| the horses into run. The chase flew along
the narrow forest road with rapidly that
! neither of the party had ever before witness
| cd; for even the ANIMALS themselves seemed
aware of their peril, and strained every nerve
TO escape from the fiery death which threat
ened them.
Their situation was indeed terrible, and
momentarly became more prccarious. The
fire, when first seen, was at least, mile off:
but n'arly cqui-distant from point in the
road the bridal party was travcrsng: and, as
the conflagation swept down towards the
road with velocity equal to that Of the tray
oilers, it soon became evident 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 paral-
lied with fcal. Only the husband spoke.
Faster for Gods sake faster ~ he
hoarsely cried--"see you not that the fire is
making for wonder tall pine! We shall not
be able to reach the tree first, unless We 20
faster"
81 will do my BEST" said the brother,
lashing still more furiously the foaming
horses. "Oh, God! that had turned back
as Ellen wished me -
On came the roaring firc-on in one mass
of!fame-on with velocity that seemed on
ly equalled by that of the flying hurricane.
Now the flames caught the lower limbs Of a
tall tree, and in an instant had Kissed to its
top-now they shot out their forky tongues
from one huge pine to another far across the
intermediate spacc-and now the whirling
fire whistlcd along the dry grass and moss
of the swamp with rapidity which the eye
could scarcely follow. Already the fierce
heat of the conhagration began to be felt by
the travellers, while the horses, feeling the
increased warmth. grew FESTIVE and terrified.
The peril momentarily increased. Hope
grew fainter. Behind on either side the con-
flagation roarcd in pursuit, while the adj
vancing fame in front was cutting off their
only avenue of escape. They pere girdled by
fire! Faster and quicker roared the flames
towards the devoted party, until, at length
despair seized on the hearts Of the travellers.
Pale, paralized, silent, inanimate as statues,
sat the females; while the husband and bro
ther, leaning forward in The carriage and urg-
,,,or q n hove - tb.;r rfpn croo1