The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-24


and that on the right sent forth'th sounds
of the same ravaging fires; but, being to
windward, tue flames could not be seen for
the vast clouds of smoke, mingled with
fiery sparks, which were rolled on the air.
There was sound as Of thunder, mingled
with the crash of falling trees, and the wild
clies Of legions Of birds of all kinds, which
fell scorched and blackened and dead to the
ground.
Once out on this open plain, the cattle
were speedily lost in the binding ocean of
smoke, and the young settler obliged to
abandon them, made dash onward for
his life. Now the flames came racing along
the grass with the speed of the wind, and
moving all smooth rs pavement; now it
tore fu,iously 1 rough some near point of
the forest, and flung burning ashes and
tangles of blazing bark upon tho gallopng
rider But Sorcerer, with an instinct more
infallible than human sagacity, sped on,
over thicket, and stone, and fallen tree,
snorting in the thick masses of smoke, anu
stretching forward his gasping jaws rs If to
catch every breath of air TO sustain impeled
respiration.
When the wind veered the reel driven
backward revealed most amazing sight
The blazing skirts of the forest; huge iso
lated trees, glazing red-s,anding columns
OF lire; here a vast troop of wild horses with
flying names and tails, rushing with ,hun-
deiing hoois over the plain; there herds of
cattle running, with bloodshot eyes and
hanging tongues, they knew not whittier
from the fires; troops Of kangaroos leaping
frantca!Iy across the riders path, their hair
snged and giving out strongly the stencil
of five; birds of all kinds and colors shrek.
ing piteously as they drove wildly by, and
yet saw no spot of safety; thousands Of
sheep, standing huddled in terror on the
scorched flats, with singed wool, deserted
by their shepherds, who had fed for their
lives.
But onward few the intrepid Sorcerer,
onward stretched his rider, thinking light.
ming winged thought of home, and of his
helpless, paralyzed mother there.
With caution inspired by former out
breaks Of bushfires, he had made a, some
distance round his homestead bare cicle.
lie had felled the forest trees, leaving only
one here and there, at such distances that
there was little fear Of ignition. As the
summer dried the grass, he had set fire 10
II ON days when the wind was gentle enough
10 leave the flame at command, watching.
branch in hand, TO beat ont any blaze that
migh. have travelled into the forest. BY
lhls means he had hitherto prevented the
lire from reaching his homeslead; and he
had strongly recommended the same plan
10 lis neighbors, though generally with Ii,
Tie effect. Now, the fire was. SO terrible, and
sPalks flew 50 wide On the wind, HAT he
ieared they might kindlc the grass round
his homestead, and Iha, he might Gnl
everything and every person there con*um
cd.
Bat, belcId! the cleaning, wei ONE wa
ters of Lake Colac. Sorcercr rushed head
long towards it; and wading hastily up TO
his sides in It's cooling food, thrust his head
to the eyes into it, and drank as if he could
never be satisfied with less than the whole
lake. Europeans, now to the scene. would
have tremblcd for the horse; but the bush
steed. knowing best what he needs, eats
and drinks as likes him best, and flourish
Is on il. Smoking hot, the rider lets him
drink his Gil, and all goes well. The heat
produces perspiration, and tho evaporation
cools and soolhes him. Robert Patterson
did not lose a moment in following Sorce.
rer's example, lie ilurg himself headlonc
from the saddle, dressed us hc was, dved.
and splashed, and drank exuberantly. He
held again and again his smar,ing face and
singed hands in the delicious water; then
threw 1t over the steed, that now, saliated.
stood painting in the food. lie laved aud
rubbed down the grateful animal with
wave after wave, cleaning the dried perspi
ration from every hair, giving him refresh
ment at every pore. Then up and away
again.
lie had not ridden two bundled wards
betore he saw, lying on the plain, horse
that had fallen in saddle and bride, and
lay with his legs under him, and head
stretched slitily forward, with garing eve.
balls, but dead Near him was man,
alive, but sunk in exhaustion. His ewes
turned wildly on the young squatter, and
his parchod lips moved, but without a
sound. Robert Patterson comprehended
his need; and, running to the lake, brought
his pannikin full of water, and put it to his
mouth, 1t was the water of life 70 him
His voice and some degree of strength came
quickly back He had come from the
north, and had ridden race with tho fire,
I'LL horse aud man had dropped here, the
horse neyerto rise again. But Patterson 5
need was too urgent for delay. He found
the man had no lack ofproyisions; he carried
HIM IN hls arms TO the margin of the
lake, mounted, and rode on.
As he galloped forward, it was still fire
fire everywhere. He felt convinced that
the confagration-fanned by the strong
wind, and acting upon fires in hundred
qumters-extended over the whole sun
dried colony.
TWAS still early noon, when, with strain.
ing eyes, and heart which seemed almost
to stand still with terrible anxiety,
he came near his own home. He darted
over the brow of hill-there it lay safe!
The circle within his cleared boundary was
untouched by the fire. There were his