St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-10-16

to disobey her t; nor one within the
whole country round who did not re-
spect 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 her house or premises.
The moment the first joy of mother
and son was over, what scene pre-
sented itself The station was like
fair. From the whole country round
people had fed from the fire, and had
instinctively fed there. There was
feeling that the Patterson precautions,
which they themselves had neglected,
were the guarantees of safety. Thith-
er shepherds had driven their focks,
stockmen their herds, and whole fami-
lies, compelled tof fly from their burning
houses, had hurried thither with the
few effects that they could snatch up,
and bear with them. Patterson's pad
docks were crowded with horses and
cattle the bush around his station
was literally hidden beneath his own
and his neighbours focks. Stockmen,
shepherds, substantial squatters, now
houseless men, were in throngs. Fam
lilies, with troops of children, had en-
camped on the open ground near his
house, beneath temporary tents of,
sheets and blankets. His house was
crammed with fugitives, and was one
scene of crowding, confusion and sor-
row. Luckily the Patterson store
room was well stocked with -four and
there could.be no want of meat with
all those focks and herds about them.
But for the cattle themselves there
must soon be a famine and the mo-
ment that the fire abated, scouts must
be sent off in all directions-but es-
pecially to the high plains around Lake
Corangamite-in search of temporary
pasture. Meantime fires were lighted
in dozen places and frying-pans
and kettles fully employed !; for, spite
of flight, and loss, and grief, hunger,
as Homer thousands Of years ago as
serted, is impudent, and will be fed.
The stories that the people had to
tell were most melancholy. Houses
burnt down, focks destroyed, children
sutocated in the smoke or lost in the
rapid flight /; shepherds and bullock
drivers consumed with their cattle
Numbers had fed to creeks aud pools,
and yet had been severely burnt the
flames driving over the surface of the
water with devouring force. Some
had lain in shallow brooks, turning
over and over, till finally forced to get
up and fly. Still, as the day went on,
numbers came pouring in with fresh
tales of horror and devastation. The
whole country appeared to be the prey
of the flames and men who were
few hours before, out of the reach of
poverty or calamity, were now home
less paupers.
The Maxwelps, mother" Patterson
asked" is there any news of them ?"
None, my dear Robert, none," re-
piled his mother. Il hope and believe
that they are quite safe. They have
long ago adopted your own plan of q
clearance ring, and | doubt not are
just now as much centre of refuge as
we are"
But l should like to be sure" said
Robert, seriously. II must ride over
and see"
Mustyou? think you must not,n
said Mrs. Patterson. But ifyou cam
not be satisfied, alet some one of the
men go there are plenty at hand, and
you are already worn out with fatigue
and excitement"
No, am quite well and fresh-I
had rather go myself" said Robert
it is not far" And he strobe out, his
mother saying u;
If you find all right, don't come
back tonight"
Robert Patterson was soon mounted
on a fresh and powerful horse, and
cantered off towards Mount Hesse. 1t
was only seven miles of. The hot
north wind had ceased to blow the
air was cooler, and the fires in the for
est burned more tamely. Yet he had
to ride over a track which showed him
the ravages which the flames had
made in his pleasant woods. The
whole of the grass was annihilated
the dead timber lying on the ground
was still burning; the huge hollow
trees stood like chimneys, with flames
issuing from their tops as from fur
mace, and a red intense fire burning in
their trunks below and from them
burning earthy matter came tumbling
out smoking and rolling on the ground.
He was about crossing small creek,
when he saw an Irishman-a shep-
herd of the Maxwells sitting on its
bank his clothes were nearly all con-
sumed from his back, his hat was the
merest remaining fragment, scorched
and shrivelled. The man was rocking
himself to and fro~and groaning.
f" Fehan !" exclaimed Patterson
"What has happened to your"
The man turned upon him visage
that startled him with terror. 1t was
indeed, no longer human visage but
scorched and swollen mass ofdeform-
ity. The beard and hair were burnt
away. Eyes were not visible the
whole face being confused heap Of
red flesh and HANGING blisters. The