National Republican., 1877-04-15


"Aii the came, I would not back her against
HNo, because Hotspur would bc beaten"
asserted Nancie, confidently.
."will you tryf" he asked.
"No, won't. II is too hot to race: How
con you susgest such a thing in this blazing
"Hot or not, It strikes me IL is wha. you
will have to do" he remarked coolly.
"what do you meanr she said, raising q
pair of dark, incredulous eyes.
"Look there" and, raising bis whip, Fred
pointed to the right, behind them, whence the
ieaden-hued cloud was spreading over the
sky. "What does that look likeW
Nancie turned her eyes in the direction In
dicated, and as she looked her face blanched
10 an awful wilderness.
"Fire The prairie Is on FIRE p she cried,
fearful1y. "0h, Fred, what shall we dop
Involuntarily abe drew up her horse aud gazed
apxiously around.
The omInous leader. gray haze was sweeping
down upon them; already Il had erept down
behind them. Below the haze faint line Of
dull red was Just visible.
eyes, the prairie Is on FIRE, sure enoughS
the young man said. "Don't be frightened,
Mantle; we mus'ehy for II, that is all. What
mercy our horses are TO be depended on p
He had thrown himself of Hotspur as he
spoke; and began to tighten the saddle. girths
and straps Of both horses, a precaution neces-
sary enough In the race before them.
sishall We be In timep asked Nancie In q
low voice, ss he stopped by her side.
eyes" he replied, confidently; and she could
not see the anxiety on his brown face as he
slipped the buckle into It's place.
In two or three minutes he had remouuted.
As he gathered the reins In his hand he gave
glance atNsncie. She was seated quietly In
her saddle, gazing straight before her.
care you frightened, Nancie p he asked,
She turned her dark clear eyes to his. Her
face was pale, but there was no sign OF weak
ness about the steady, brave mouth.
"No, / am not heightened she answered,
gravsly, but smiling back into his anxious face.
"But know the danger" 30 ....--
"And how we can escape" he said, reas-
suringly. "Now for Il |" ....
Iu q moment they were flying along. There
was no need to urge Hotspur and Miss Molly
they scented the danger and could scarcely
be restrained. The bluff showed blue In the
distance, fifteen miles away-they had TO gain
that before they would be safe; but between
them were ffteen long miles OF rough entan-
gied track, and behind them was a waste OF
hot dry timber which caught fire with light
ning.liie rsyidity. Tho odds against them
A faint tremulous wiud presently overlook
them. The sunshine died out a. deep black
shadow stole over the plains. Wild dogs,
prairie hens, hares and rabbits scuddcd along
through the grass and tangled reeds. Scarcely
horses slraining every nerve. Five miles wore
passed, SIX, seven. They were getting on
we'll, but the fre behind was getting on better.
Looking back, and seeing how fast 1t was
gaining on them, Fred would have given
worlds to have Naucie safe at home. They
| reached q belt Of low trees, a conspicuous
landmark In the prairie. Just eight miles
| more before them Heavens, h seemed like q
| journey across the world And the awful
tuggipg at their hearts-the horrible dread !
| Already q low sullen roar was heard behind
them. The wind was Increasing every moment;
birds few by with hoarse shrleks, and horri-
| BILE gloom was settling round them. On, on
they went, not speaking word except now
and then 70 encourage the horses. Not that
they needed It; they were galloping along like
race c-horses, svery sinew and muscle strained
TO the utmost. 90.
Great clouds Of smoke we're now overtailng
them, eirclinR and eddying above their heads
A pungent-smelling vapor came creeping
along the ground, almost sufocating them
With It's fumes. The dull rushing roar Of the
while the swapping Of the cane-brakes and the
cracking OF the dry grAmms-grass were dis
tinctly audible. Still they were getting on
Seven, siI, five miles. The fre was gaining
on them with awful rapidity, but the cliff was
rising clear and distinct before them. Hal,
an hour more and they would be safe. Sud
denly, without moments warning, Nancio'i
horse stumbled In . hole, pitched heavily for
wards, and fell on her knees. Fred threw
himself OF Hotspur iu an instant, and, befort
Nancie could free her foot from the stirrup
"What Is IT," cried Naucie. sIs she hurt y
And though her voice was steady, she trsm
bled violently.
A glance was sufficient to show the injury
Zone Of her legs Is broken" be replied
"You must ride behind me. Quick, Nancie
there 10 no time 10 lose amounting Hotspu
as he spoke, and holding out his hand to hell
her to mount. "Quick, your hand ~ ..
ooh, Fred, I cannot leave her TO be burn
70 death !" cried Nancie, bending over Mis-
Molly, who looked up at her mistress will
agonized eyes, and uttered low moan Of In
tense painful suffering.
Fred drew pistol from his holster.
"There is no other way" he said said
quietly, as he fired.
The chestnut's pretty head fell prone OIL
the rank grass, q shudder passed over he
With sob Nancie turned silently from he
fayorite, and gave her hand to Fred. In an
other minute they were flying over the plain
Alas, with how small q chance now Tn
gallant horse, strive as he might, made bu
little way with his double burden. Thei
air was scorching. The smoke and vapor en-
yeloped them In suffooating clouds, hiding th
bluff from view, and choking them with thei
! sitting breath.
The roar OF the fire sounded fearfully near
the moments few fast, and the deadly sound
behind grew every moment more distinci
The wind had increased TO q tempest, whic
blew the smoke In denser clouds over them
A lurid yellow glare tinged the heavy rollin
masses, the heat Of the furious conaagratio
, was perceptibly felt.
"Is there q chancep whispered Nanci,
looking fearfully behind as the good hors
strained onwards.
: ayes, II we can held out for ten minute
more," he answered.
"Heaven help usl" she cried. closing h,
eyes - . furious blast Of wind brought
breath of fierce heat against her check.
He drew her arm closely round him, takin
one small hand In an eager, covetous grasp.
spray for US, Nancie," he Whispered
quietly.
Only two miles now. Ten little minutes
time, and they would be safe. But Hotspu
, was falling. He sprang forward now vi,
/ convulsiye bounds, his gallant limbs trembls
! beneath him; every breath was short, gas
ing sob. .- - -
D Another mile--half Q milei o heavel
+. have mercyl The scorching breath Of u
4 fre was upon them; they were In 0 whir
a wind Of dense suffocating smoke. The hor
8 stumbled at every step-he gasped ar
: moaned like o human soul In extremit
0 Covered with foam and trembling convu
= sively, he struggled on. Little flames al