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


eminent energy and ability. Left with her
boy mere infant, she had managed all
her affairs with skill and discretion that
had produced great prosperity. Though
her heart was kind, her word was law; aud
there was no man on her run who dared
in the slightest TO disobey her, nor one
within the whole country round who did
not respect and revere her. She had been
a remarkably handsome woman, The
whole OF the floors of the station being
built upon one level, in her wheeled chair
she could be at any moment in any part OF
the house or premises.
The moment the first Joy Of mother and
son was ever, what scene presented itself.
The station was like fair. From the
whole country round people had fled from
the fire, and had instinctively fled there.
There was feeling that the Patterson pre-.
cautions, Which they themselves had neg
lected, were the guarantees of safety.
Thither shepherds had driven their llocks,
stoclimen their herds, and whole families,
compelled to fleefrom their burning houses,
had hurried thilher with the few effects that
they could snatch up and bear with them.
Patterson's paddocks were crowded with
horses and cattle; the bush round his sta
ton was literally hidden beneath his own
and his neighbors' focks. S,ockmen, shep
herds, substantial squatters, now houseless
men, were in :he throng. Families, with
troops of children, had encamped in the
open ground near his house. beneath tenn
poraly tents of sheets and blankets. His
house was crammed with fugitives; AID was
one scene of crowding, confusion and sor-
row. Luckily the Patterson store room
was well.s;ocked with flour, aud there
could be no want of meat with all those
ilocks and herds about them. But for the
cattle themselves there must soon be fam.
inc; and the moment that the fire aLaled
scouts must be sent of in all directions
but especially to the high plains around
Lake Corangamite-in search of Temporary
pasture. Meantime, fires were lighted in a
dozen places, and frying.pans and kettles
fully emPloyed-for, spite of flight, and
loss, and grief, hunger, rs Homer thousands
of years ago asserted, is impulent, aud will
be fed.
The stories lhat the people had TO Tell
were most melancholy -houscs burnt down.
tiockS destroyed, children sutfocated in the
smoke or lost in the rapid flight, shepherds
aud hu.lock-dtivers CONSUMED with their
cattle. Numbers had fled 10 creeks and
pools, and yet had been severely burnt-,hc
flames driving over the surface of tie water
with devouring force. Some had laid ia
shallow brooks, turning oyer anl over, tin
finally forced TO get up and ilv. Sill, as
The day wore on, numbers came pouring in
with fresh tales Of horror and devastation.
The whole country appcMel io be the prey
oi The iiamcs; anl ncu who were, few
ho@is before, out Of tho reach Of poverty or
calamity, were now homeless, paupcrs.
The MlXwe,.s, mother" Patterson a,,,
cd--"i, ilcre any news of lheuE"
None, NY dear Robert, none replied
his mother. Il hope and believe tha, they
arc quite safe. They have long ago adopt
ed your own plan of clearance ring, and
doubt not are just now as much centre
OF refuge as we are
"But should like to be sure" said Rob
elt, seriously. 81 must ride over anil see
Must you! think you must not" said
Mrs. Patterson. But if you cannot be
satisfied let some Of the men go-there are
plenty at hand, and You ale already worn
out wj!h fatigue and excitement"
No, | am laite well and hesh-I had
rather so myself" said Robert; ''it is not
far" And he strode out, his mother say
ing
III YOU find all right, don't come back
tonight"
Robert Patterson was soon mounted on
fresh and powerful horse, and cantered OF
towards Mount Hesse. II was only seven
miles off. Tho hot Forth wind had ceased
to blow; the air was cooler, and the fires in
the forest were burning more tamely. Yet
he had 10 rIde over q track which show ed
him the rayages which the flames had made
irr his pleasant woods. The whole OF the
grass was annihilated; the dead timber "
ing on the ground was still burning, and
huge hollow trees stood like great chimneys
with flames issuing from their tops rs from
a furnace, and e red, intense fire burning
within their trunks below, and from them
burning earthly matter came tumOllug out
smoking and rolling on Tie ground. He
was about crossing small creek, when he
saw an lrishman-a shepherd of the Max
wells si.,ug oil ,is banks. lis cloths
were nearly all consumed from his back
lIs hat was the merost remaining fragment
scorched and shriycled. The mau was
rocking himself to and fro aud groaning.
"Fchan." exclaimed Patterson. "What
has happened to you"
The man turned upon him visage that
/ startled him with terror. 1t WAS, indeed
no longer human visage, but n scosched
and swollen mass OF deiormi;y. The beard
and hair were burnt away--eycs were not
yisIble-the whole face being confused
heap Of red flesh and hanging bsters
The poor fellow raised pair Of hands that
displayed equally the dreadful works Of the
ire.
The young squatter eXclaimed-"How
dreadful! Let me help you, Fehan--l let
me take YOU home"
The man groaued again, and, opening
his distorted mouth with difficulty, and
with anon, e,;1