The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-11-09
Fire Fiends of the Prairies.

ann thS tail NuNlhS grass DelnS alfeauy
dead on the prairies.
Out on one of those Offensive buffalo
ranges. which lie between the Missouri
and the Rocky Mountains, far beyond
the regular footsteps ofnivilzation, in an
unsettled region, SO vast that you would
require days to rcacl, even log cabin of
a pioneer, there is a scene about to occur
which may be worthy ofgyour notice.
The stout and iine Proportioned form
of trapper is seed Gold relief against
the western sky'..ahAf'eF the r-u4dy
tints of the retreassng sun had vanished
from the clouds in that direction, for he
stands upon small mound leaning
against his rifle, and patting the head ol
his gaunt but intelligent dog, while he
looks earnestly away in the direction
whittier the sun had departed.
Could you yourself ascend the knoll,
you would perceive that there is faint
streak of light on the western horizon,
with silver edge above; and this rapid
ly increases in size, as the Old hunter
gazes upon it until even person unac-
quainted with the wild scenes of the
West would have no hesitation in declar-
ing the prairies on fire.
Immediately under this advancing wall
of flame and curling smoke are dark
and rapidly retreating forms, bounding
onward and upward, till a portion of their
outlines are distinctly seen against the
ruddy lights. Even as you begin to rea-
Lies that these furiously advancing shapes
are troops of buffalo and other wild ami
mqls of the prairie, you also detect the
first sound of their heavy tread, and
their noise increases every moment in
volume, until it seems as if a wild tor
nado. is sweeping down. to destroy all
things beforet.
For several moments the trapper re-
CARDS the coming destroyer with a calm
look of non-conccln on his features, and
then he looks around OH every side, as if
to see how large a number of animals are
fleeing before the peril. But when he
has brought his gaze up to the spot where
he himself is standing, has scanned the
whole space in front of the fire, his quick
eye rests upon the form Of an Indian at
no great distance on his left hand, who
with rife against his shoulder, has
sighted a huge bbgit:le, which is approach
| ing AT full speed
In an instant the furiously advancing
animal is near enough, and then there is
sharp report. Thd Buffalo docs not
fall but he reels and Aumbles with one
leg, in Il manner which indicates that the
leg is broken. Another report from a
second barrel and theyhuge animal falls
auivering on the plaifl, the bullet having
struck him in the center Of the fore.
| head.
The Indian sets up a shout of triumph
and is fastening towaN his game, when
his eye rests upon thu form of the trap,
per, who stands so ui1movcd and motion
less--sccming the very statue of defiance
A wild exclamation of alarm escapes him.
and he comes to a halt, still gazing upon
the object of his terror, and appearing tc
have totally lost all fears of the destroy.
ing element in the greater fear which the
presence of that being has aroused.
Down comes the wall of fame and
| fleeing before it, those countless multi.
tudes of animals of various kinds, all
shee:ing off to the right or to the left oi
the knoll and believing loudly as they
proceed. The Indian too by waving his
blanket on the end OF his rifle, has man.
aged to split the rushing herd, and It's
not long ere all of them have passed
but the fire is close behind them.
For one moment the Indian gazes upon
the motionless form of the hunter, and
then, violently startled by the proximity
of fire, he draws huge knife, disem
bowels the buffalo and ensconces himself
therein.
Down comes the whirwind of fire, with
the speed of race horse, and soon
sweeps over the scene, leaving bare, and
blackened soil behind. But the Indian
comes exultinglS'Ss: ~ from the snug re-
treat, when the destroyer has passed, and
again looks toward the trapper.
That person is still as calm and un,
moved as ever, though the flames are at
the very foot of the knoll, leaping and
cracking and roaring like an ocean storm
An instant they play ftfully around the
edge of the knoll, and then leap up in
the center, and dash s,aross the spot
where the trapper is standing, envclop,
ing him in their fold. moment la.
ter, as the fire sweeps on, the trapper is
seen advancing over the scared prairie,
toward the Indian, and is ere long in his
presence.
"The Fire F;end of the prairie" NUT
tered the red man, in voice of ter
ror, and he falls upon his face.
"Iia! you know me-perhaps you have
seen me before?'
"No, no, sir, butfor ten years no other
name has been so much an object of ter
ror and astonishment to our people. You
have been fearfully avenged, spirit of the
murdered Ford !"
Listen, Dacotah! l am not the spirit
of Hiram Ford, the trapper, but Hiram
Ford himself lhave not been avenginr
my own murder, but that of my wife and
babies. / was not slain, as your people
supposed-my wounds healed, and
lived and am now before you in my true