The National tribune., 1879-07-01

TIIT TnT0WWn GT1IMna ITlSs
and reeds Of Che prairie which either hand five or
six feet high all matted and tangled together with wild
pcavuc and creeper t burnt quite crisp and brown
by the heat Of the aud dry uder AS they
brushed IN passing the twigs and canes snapped at
touch.
Right ahead hreeu miles away rising blue above the
unduations of 3he prairie n steep blufr the ermna
tion &C range of low hills oifshoots OF the Rocky Noun
tans This blum was their landmark and guide for mile
two behind IL the Red Ranch settlement North
eotes IL often called.
Meanwhile The clear blue the sky was becoming over
with sutry eaden haze The air intensely hot
and heavy The wide, trcccss shadowlcss prairie rolled
away every side IN long unduations like the swells of
the great ocean.
At last Fred grew tired Of keeping up even a show of
resentmen. and began TO talk again
'HOw well Miss Moilie goes to-day.
'sho always docs returned Nancie a shade more gra-
oOusy than before she tired of keeping silent long
"All the same, would back her against Hotspur"
'No because Hotspur would be beaten asserted Nan
ee confidently.
''Wnl you tiy 2'' hc asked
''No, won't It is too hot to race. How can you sug
gest such thing in this blazing sun
ilot or not IL strikes me j, is what you viii have to
do ne remarked eoolly.
What do you mcan she said raising par of dark,
''Lool therclP and raising his whip Fred pointed to
the right behind them, whonce the eadcdhued clond
spreading over the sky what does that look like2
Nancie Turned her eyes in the direction indicated and
she looked her face banohed 10 awful whieness
Fire The prairie IS on hrel' she cried, fearfully
Ob Fred. what shall do9 Involuntarily she drew up
her horse and gazed anxiousy around.
The ominous leaden gray haze sweeping down upon
them already il had crept around behind them Below
the haze faint line Of dull red was just visible.
eyes the prairie il on fire stre epouph the vonn man
said Don't be frightened, Nance; must iy from it,
that is all. What mercy horses be depended
on'p He bad thrown himself of Hotspur he spoke
and began to tighten the sadeg gts and straps of both
horscsa precauon necessary enough in the before
them.
as no stopped 10y her side
Eyes, he replied confidently; and She did not see the
anxiety on his brown face he slipped the buckle into its
place.
In two or three minutes he had rcmounted AS he
gathered the lens in his hand he gave glance at Nance
before her.
Are you frightened, Nancie? ?' he asked anxiousy
she turned her dark clear eyes his. Her face was
steady, brave mouth
No, am not frightened" she answered grayely hut
smiling back into his anxious face ''Bu know the
danger
sAnd how we can escape he said reassuringly. "Now
for itn
In another moment they were flying along There was
need TO urge Hotspur and Miss Moy-they scented the
langes and could scarcely be restrained.
The huff showed blue in the distance fifteen miles
away they had 10 gain that before they would be
gied track and behind them waste Of hot dy tin
der which caught fire with ghtnng-ke rapidity The
odds against them seemed awiu
faint, trimulous wind suddenly overlook them The
sunshine died out as deep black shadow stole the
plains Flocks Of birds flew past them silently Wild
dogs pairieens, ares and rabbits scudded along through
the grass and tangled reeds Scarcely daring to look back
they pressed their horses saining every Five
miles was passed six seven They were pettino on e
but the tire behind was getting better
Looking back and seeing how fast it was gaining on
them Fred would have given worlds have Nance safe
as home lhey reached belt of low trees conspicu-
ons landmark on the prairie Just eight miles before
them Heavens it seemed like journey across the world
And the awful tugging at their heartsthe horrible dread
Already low suen roar was heard behind them. The
wind was increasing every moment birds flew by with
hoarse slreks and horrible gloom settling around
them On. on they went not speaking word, except
now and then to encourage the Not that they
needed II they were galoping along like horses,
every siiew and muscle strained to the utmost
dleat clouds OF smoke Oyertaking them cir
cling and eddying above their heads pungentsmeng
vapor came creeping along the ground almost sutfocatn
them with its fumes. The dull rushing roar of the fire
increased every moment behind them while the swapping
OF the brakes and the cracking of the dry grana
grass were distinctly audible. Still they were getting on
Seven six five miles The fire gaining them with
awful iapdity but the cliff rising clear and distinct
before them half an hour and they would be safe
Suddenly, without momeot's warning Nancie's horse
stumbled in hole pitched heavily forward and fell on