The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-05-08

The hunter glanced anXlousiy pack 10
where he had left his friends, and was
half resolved to turn about and join them
but pride prevented, and moreover, he
still saw them darting hither and thither
busy at work, but as yet they had failed
to set the prairie on fire. Their danger
was equal if not greater than his own.
About this time, also, he saw that
thousands of buffaloes and wild horses
were laundering frantcally over the
prairie in a direction which would lead
them into the grove.
His friends could not wait much lon
ger before they would be compelled to
take to the trees to avoid being trampled
to death, and by the time this danger
was passed the other would be upon
them.
With shudder, Parker turned
back and urged his horse to its utmost
speed.
The great desire of the hunter was to
get out of the path of this surging mass
of animals. He was riding at right
angles to their course, and if he could
reach that portion of the creek toward
which he was aiming, there was no fear
of being overwhelmed by this panic
stricked army of dumb animals.
Striking his heels against his horses
sides, he beut all his faculties and ener-
gies into the one great idea of escape.
It will be seen that two great dangers
threatened the hunter-that of the burn
ing prairie, aud that from the stampeding
animals. Were it not for the latter, he
could have dismounted in the tall, dry
grass, and by means of the flash of his
rife started a fame that would have
speedily given him safe ground to gravel
upon. But tt ere was no time for this,
aud he had no thoughts of making the
attempt.
The horse did his best, painting and
toiling as he had never done before but
swiftly as he went, it seemed to the i'm
patient rider that the distance between
them increased rather than diminished
But on, on he sped, impelled by his ter
rible peril, while that terrible swarm of
believing buffaloes and snorting horses
thundered tumutuously onward. A few
hundred yards from the creek stood
large solitary tree, its trunk and large
limbs already glowing with the reflected
light from the glowing volume of flame.
Toward this Parker directed his horses
head, and the brute strained every nerve.
On, on he sped, gasping and painting. A
few minutes later he was beneath the
tree, he staggered and fell upon his
side, while his rider had barely time to
free his foot from the stirrup.
The trapper had fallen off in the haste
of his flight, and as he involuntarily threw
out his hand he felt the warmth of the
fire upon it. His horse flung up his
head and neighed piteously, as if implor-
ing his master not to leave him.
'God help you" exclaimed the latter,
his heart full of pity, "but I can do you
no good, and must leave you"
Tears streamed down the hardy hunt
er's cheeks as, with rifle strapped to his
back, he started on full run for the
creek He had not moment to lose.
He was just beyond the line of fleeing
animals, but he was still in danger from
the near approaching fire, and he did not
pause to look behind him although, in
that moment of frenzy and despair he
fancied be heard the tread of some ami
NAL close in his rear. A few minutes
later he was on the bank of the creek
To his delight he saw that it was wide
and deep. Without moments hesita-
ton he sprang in, sinking several feet
below the surface before he touched bot
tom. AS he came up mass of smoke
rolled over the water, almost suffocating
him, but he struck out boldly, and shortly
after touched land, where he cramled out
and rested himself.
As he gazed back, to his surprise, he
saw that his horse had struggled after
him, and was already swimming the
stream. He shouted and encouraged
him, and the brute pressed forward until
he fell exhausted at his feet.
"Noble Jack" exclaimed the trapper,
affectionately patting his neck. "You
are saved, and here we will rest"
The fire swept furiously onward, and