The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-05-19

Gle could free her feet from the stirrup.
was at her side.
What is it," cried Nancie. "Is she
hurt?" And though the voice was
steady, she trembled violently.
One of her legs are broken" he re-
piled. You must ride behind me.
Quick, Nancie, there's no time to lose 4"
mounting Hotspur as he spoke, and
holding out his hand to help her mount.
"Quick, your hand."
ooh, Fred, / cannot leave her to be
burned to DEATH" cried Nancie, bend
ing over Miss Mollie, who looked up at
her mistress with agonizied eyes, and
uttered low moan of intense, painful
suffering. Fred drew a pistol from his
holster.
There is no other way" he said
quietly, as he fired.
The chestnut's pretty head fell prone
on the rank grass, a shudder passed over
her graceful limbs, and she lay dead be-
fore them. With a sob Nancie turned
silently from her favorite and gave her
hand to Fred. In another minute they
were flying over the plain. Alas, with
how small a chance now The gallant
horse, strive as he might, made but little
way with his double burden. There
were only few miles more. Already
the air was scorching. The smoke and
vapor enveloped them in sufocating
clouds, hiding the bluff from view and
choking them with their sitting breath.
The roar of the fire seemed fearfullv
near, the moments flew fast and the
deadly sounds behind grew every mo-
ment more distinct The wind had in
creased to tempest, which blew the
smoke in denser clouds over them. A
lurid yellow glare tinged the heavy roll
ing masses, the heat of the furious con-
fagration was perceptibly felt.
"Is there chance?" whispered
Nancie, looking fearfully behind as the
good horse strained onward.
Yes, if we can hold out for ten min
utes more" he answered.
Heaven help us!" she cried, closing
har eyes as a furious blast of wind
brought breath of fierce heat against
her check.
He drew her arm closely round him,
taking one small hand in an eager, covet-
Gus grasp.
Pray for us, Nancie," he whispered
quietly.
| Only two miles now. Ten little min
utes of time, and they would be safe
But Hotspur was failing. He sprang
onward now with convulsive bounds ;
| his gallant limbs trembled beneath him
every breath was a short, gasping sob
! Another mile-half a mile. Oh, Heaven
have mercy! The scorching breath OF
the fire was upon them; they were in a
whirlwind of dense, suffocating smoke
The horse stumbled at every step-he
gasped and moaned like human soul in
extremity. Covered with foam and
trembling convulsively, he struggled on
Little flames and eddies of fire, heralds
of the horrors behind, crept up among
the tangled grass.
! Fred turned on the saddle and tried to
draw Nancie's head down on his breast
| She made no resistance; but when he
would have hidden her eyes from sight
she lifted them clearly and unfinchingly,
to his
Don't Fred-I can face death with
open eyes," she said; and, catching hold
of his hand. she pulled itgently away As
she did 50 a great shower of sparks, borne
on the fierce wind, fell around and over
! them.
Oh, my darling, to think this should
be the end.' he cried, dispairingly, know
ing how very near it was now.
"No, no." she cried, cit is not the
end! See-we are close to the bluff.
Oh, thank Heaven, thank Heaven
And she pointed to the towering rock
which a rift in the smoke disclosed rising
right before them not fifty yards away.
con, Hotspur-on, good horse-ont
more struggle-on, onn' she shouted
encouragingly.
Cheered at her voice and hand, the
brave horse gathered all his strength fol
one tremendous effort and bounded for
ward with frantic leaps. But it was al
expiring struggle. Ere ten yards were
passed he fell to the ground gasping anC
painting, his brave spirit overcome at last
Fred dragged Nancie away, and, seizins
her hand, began running toward tn,
bluff, SO near now, 50 near-and yet ont
look back she gave. The fire was close
behind, fearful sight The fierce hea
scorched their faces, sparks of burn
grass, cane, and splinters of wood fell il
showers about them. The sitting, chok
ing smoke half sufocated them, para
lying every nerve. On, on, with frantic
flying feet; safety in front, death behint
and such DEATH
Leave me, Fred" gasped Nancie
family. 81 can go no further Tel
them at home-my love-kiss me once
Fred" She dropped 10 the ground will
a choking sob.
With a wild cry he caught her up il
his arms and staggered on. They wer
close to the bluff now. A dozen steps anC
he gained the foot of the ascent. Stumb
ling, struggling, painting, he pressed OF
up the face of the rock.
The fire rushed after him, sending on
long tongues of flame as if to grasp it
Il Il