The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-14
DASH THROUGH FIRE.

DAsh lnhUuUn tlhb'
Ithas Just lately been completed, that
long line Of railroad across the great
island Of Australia, but young rs It is,
many wild scene has been witnessed
there already, and many more will be
ere q long time elapses. For II must be
borne in mind that the population Of
that far-off land is an incongruous one,
consisting OF many races Of people,
strangely intermixed and mingled.
had visited the mining districts,
Botany Bay-that famous city OF con.
demned minals-Melbourne, and Sid.
ney. These are the centres Of interest,
and the only ones. All the rest are
mere appendages, sauce for the pud-
ding, or butter for the bread. l was
done with my sightseeing, and now
nothing remained but to while away o
week or two, and then embark on the
next ship which might be outward
bound for America. 1had not taken o
trip over thenew railroad, and deter.
mined 10 spend my leisure time by do.
ing so at once. Accordingly I purchased
myticket, mounted the train, and seated
myself for the journey. sit2
The iron horse snorted, and moved
majestically OF from the station, as II
he considered II beneath his dignity ia
tarry longer at that point. The road
lies through n wild tract Of land, though
the years TO come will probably see II
dotted with neat villages and fine farms,
for Australia is q growing land like oui
own great West, and emigrants are ever
now rapidly settling up the hitherto
barren places. The scenery is such as
would naturally charm the traveller with
an eye to the beauties OF nature, It'll
eyerchanging, panorama like, now
showing the level and unbroken plain
for miles upon miles, now displaying
the gigantic mountains, with their crag.
~ peaks reared upward until they seem
10 meet and kiss the sky, rs. the clouds
hold them in fond embrace.
On, on, on we thundered, over the
narrow rails, seldom finding occasion 70
stop, but pushing forward, with an III.
cessant rattle and jar, for the other ter
minus Of the iron road. We had Just
passed train that was madly dashing
eastward, with its burden OF human be.
inps, and were about 10 strike upon q
portion OF track which lay in the midst
ofalong, level prairie. Far ahead we
could see q dense column Of smoke
risingheayenward, asif the whole island
was on fire.. I could not explain this
strange thing, but kept my eye fixed on
the cloud, as / leaned far out Of the
window, that I might see for mybeli
what was up. The conductor happen
ing to pass, stopped him, and called
his attention TO the matter. After view
ing the huge billows, as they rose one
above the other, for 0 minute, he drew
in his head, and remarked:
nThe train that had just passed us
has evidently fred the dry prairie
grass by a spark from the locomotive,
III that be the ease, and / think IL il,
then we shall have q lively time getting
through the fire, but go through II ]
will, for I'm bound this train shall not
be the first one on the road 10 fall be-
hind time for trihe," and he went for.
ward to speak with the engineer.
We reached the prairie, and found il
asthe conductor had predicted, but the
fire was burning away. from the track
and not towards it. There appeared 10
be nothing in the way Of onr onward
course, and the locomotive, ierkingits
pistons in and out Of the cylinders like
lightning, and grinding itshuge drivers
against the rails which guided them In
their course. kept plunging ahead, and
each moment nearing the sea Of fire
which lay to the right Of the track.
Kissing and leaping It's tongues OF fork.
ed flame licking up everything which
came within their reach, that great
furnace was blazing along the road for
distance Of two miles or more, and
making rapid advances in the direction
OF the wind. We had all crowded 10
the platforms OF the train, eager 10 wit
ness the magnificent spectacle Every
eve was bent on the darting famed.
Spreading in three different directions,
the fire was some distance in front, be.
hind, and to our right, and 1t seemed
as II one end Of the column was run.
ming O race with our engine, for II gain.
ed on us every minute, and kept far In
advance, 70 y fqallflf
Suddenly the wind changed TO The
north, and now, roaring like o tornado,
the terrible sea OF heat, and smoke, and
fire, came rushing towards the train.
The ends travelled faster than the cen
tire, seeming TO be eager 10 clasp Us in,I
hot embrace, and like general mar
shalling his forces around atroop which
he desired 10 exterminate, so that col
umn Of flame now moved around us
until We were encitcled BY II as by
belt, Far behind, Il had crossed thl
track, and Just ahead OF US the blacl
rails lay In It's very bosom. There wa
but ono chance for escape. Thfourl
IL we must dash, and TINT quickly, an
IL should deyour us in its mad march.
The engineer, d fellow accustomed !,
danger, and possessed Of nerves lik,
steel, gave avid yell from the brazel
throat Of his iron charger, threw every
thing wide open, and waved his ha
from the cab window at Us In the cars
o. We dafted like lightning towards III
snamy which lty IN cur path. Th