The National tribune., 1879-07-01

"
ing over the plain Alas with how small chance now
The gallant horse strive he might made but little way
with his double burden. There only few miles
more. Already the air scOrchug. The smoke and 4
yapor enveloped them in suffocang clouds hiding the
bluff from view and choking them with their sitting
breath
The roar of the tire sounded fearfuly near--the mo.
ments flew fast and the deadly sounds behind grew
distinct The wind had increased to a tempest which
blew the smoke in denser clouds hcm. lurid vel
low glare tnged the heavy, rolling masses and the heat
( of the coniagration perceptahly felt.
sis there chance? whispered Nancie, looking fear
fully behind as the good horse strained onward.
"Ies il we can hold out for ten minutes more " he
answered.
'Heaven help usr she cried closing her eyes as fur
Gus blast of wind brought breath Of fierce heat against
her cheek,
He drew her closely around him taking one small
hand in eager and covetous grasp
pray for us, Nancie, he whispered quietly.
Only two miles now. Ten little minutes of time and
they would be safe But Hotspur falling He spang
forward now with convusive bounds and his gallant linn los
trembled beneath hn every breath was short gasping
sob.
Another mile-hafa mile Oh Heaven, have mercy
The scorching breath of the fire upon them they
were in whirlwind of dense, sufocatng smoke. The
horse stumbled every stephe gasped and moaned like
human soul in extremity. Covered with foam trem-
bling convusvely he struggled Little flames and
eddies of fire. herads of the horrors behind crep among
the tangled grass.
Fred tanned in the saddle and tried to draw Nance's
head down his breast She made resistance but
when he would have hidden her eyes from sight, she lifted
them, clearly and unfinchngy, to his.
Don't Fred face death with open eyes, she
said; and catching hold of his hand she pulled gently
Il
the fierce wind, fell around and them.
'Oh, my darling to think this should be the end r he
cried, despairingy, knowing how very it
"No, no. she cried cit is not the end See-we are
close 20 the bff Oh, thank Heaven, thank Heaven ~
And she pointed to the towering rock which rift in the
smoke rising right before them not fifty yards away On
Hotspur-on good horse-one strugge--on on -
she shouted encouragingly.
Cheered by her voice and hand the brave gath
cred all his strength for tremendous effort and boun
ded forth with fanticleaps But twas expiring strug
Gle Ere ten Yards were passed he fell to the ground gas
is Spi n Fired
dragged Nance away, and siezing her hand began
ming toward the bluff now, near; and yet
look back she The tire close behind, fearful
sight The fierce heat scorched their faces and sparks of
the burnt grass and spnters Of wood fell in show
ers about them The sitting choking smoke half suffoca
ted them, paralyzing every nerve.
On with frantic flying feet-safety in front, death
behind--and such death
Leave me- Fred" gasped Nancie family / can go
no further. Tell t EN- at home my love-1iss once,
Fred, and" She dropped to the ground with choking
With wild cry he caught her up in his arms and stag
gered They close TO the bluff now. A dozen
steps and he gained the foot of the ascent Stumbling,
struggling painting he pressed on, up the face Of the
The fire rushed after him. sending out long tongues Of
flame if to grasp its prey licked UP the scanty herb
age, and ragged aud roaTed in fierce fury. But few
.'Oh Heaven, have mercy!" Staggering dizzy almost
frantic he struggled on step step step after step
One more '0h, thank Heaven, thank Heaven! Safety
at last r.
1t was terribly narrow escape. SO close had been the
ire, so deadly the peril that it seemed as if only mira
Gle had saved them.
Half an hour afterwaTd when they had recovered su
cient strength to struggle onward the Red Ranch they
began to realize TO what extremity of danger they
reduced. Their clothes looked like finder, and hung
them in shreos and patches. Nance's face deadly
white, except for vivid down side OF her cheek
and neck where scorching flame had caught it. Freds
right completely disabled; his hands and face
were deep crimson III hue. Tie fire had scorched him
terribly.
AS they crept slowly along Fred looked wistfuly into
Nancie's face.
'Did you mean it Nancie ?' he asked gently
Mean what ?" she sad her eyes dropping shyly before
his
What you said while ago. Will you kiss Nancie,
my dear love p
yes, she whispered turning her sweet face his
Terrible Situation.
Charles May and his brother Robert in the Spring of
1870 offered opass 60 600 railroad ties down the Arkansas