Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-08
Calls ana Skitfbts..


him. when. after wandering half 8 mile or
20. he found himself in . deep, tree-bor-
dered, winding hollow. that was almost
The slough I declarls' I'd no idea it
was dead dry. The rosin weeds, too.
Never saw 'em taller. II hre should
once Set in here, now, wouldn't i burn y
There could be small doubt Of II. for the
white gum which exuded from the tall.
driving stalks OF the weeds. and from their
broad foot-leaves, was the very treasure
house of terrible heat.
He did not linger long in the hollow,
but the moment he was once more On
somewhat higher ground. beyond the
trees. he uttered sharp exclamation:
.Wind rising? should say it was.
The fire has crossed the slough! Look
wonder. It's making straight for my
place. Oh, but amt glad I'm ready Tor
it,"
lie stood still for a moment, and looked
around him. The scene he was gazing
upon was we'll worth some careful study.
The wind was indeed blowing nS@s
strongly. The line oil the advancing IRE
was broken and irregular, but il one fact
was palmer than another. it was that the
orc,f blaze 10 the eastward had not only
broken the feeble barrier Of thin forest In
its way. but was travelling furiously down
along the slough itself. 1t would surely
cut him off from going back by the way
he came, and It would be among Craw-
ford's stubble-fields in ten minutes more:
and then among his ricks and stables ana
no power could save the homestead.
It'll be an awful coming bark ior
ts.< hfs ma WnY0
was almost shout; 81 m penneo 10.
His glances were swift and Keen. IT'S
making head westerly. IT'S got In be-
hind me The whole prairie's afire TO the
nortbward. I've heard OF such things.
but I'd no idea I'd ever be trapped THIS
way, myself ri had match I'd set the
grass afire here. and burn place to stand
IN. Haven't a one Have got to be
burned alive?"
That was serious problem. surely, for
a strong man to face. but Marshall Hayne
faced il. He had turned deathly white
the night before. in Virginia CrawGords
parlor. but he did not lose shade cf col
or now. lie did but step brskly forward,
saying to himself
Not on this low ground. anyhow. The
grass is too thick here, and there are too
many weeds. must go for the highest
knoll can reach. and the thinnest growth.
Then, when the fire comes. I'll try rush.
Reckon that's my only chance
lie walked more swiftly after that fright
came to him. Then he even ran. for at
some distance before him the prairie arose
in knoll which was almost knob. The
grass W. uld surely be short there, and he
would be able to take wider look about
him.
He reached it. and the air on the little
summit was easier to breathe.
Fire. fire. fire, in all directions. 1t was
sweeping vigorously down through the |
tall blue grass and rosin weeds Of the |
slough away there behind him. but there |
was too much black smoke from them to
guess how near it might be to Crawford's. !
Il was well for him he had not sought an
escape in that direction.
1.-The north road to town comes in over |
yonder. The fire has burned along both |
sides of It, nobody knows for how far.
There's double buggy. now. coming |
along, away back. Il mast be old Craw-
ford's. No. they are not in any danger,
but then"
lie paused there. for the blazing line in
front of him was drawing nearer. Harder
and harder blew the wind. too. and higher
leapt the red tongues of the flame.
"Tll wait till il strikes into the short |
grass on the slope. Then for Q charge !;
but must 60 straight across. If lose
my way in the smoke. and run right or
leh. I'm dead man."
His trousers were already tucked into
his boots His coat was carefully buttoned
UP to his chin, and the collar OF it turned
up.while his handkerchief was made to
cover as much as possible OF his neck. and
u flap of it was drawn across his mouth.
Then his slouched hat was pulled over
his forehead, and all was ready
If I'm not sufFocatetl. and &c I don't
stumble, believe can get through"
Cool and calm and strong; every nerve
was tense and every muscle was utterly
ready. And now. sending before It dense
clouds OF rosin weed smoke, the prsirie
fire began its fierce charge up the slope.
like the English infantry Mt Inkermxn.
Now for it Life or DEATH |
He went forward with great, stag like
bound, and the smoke cloud closed around
him.
lie had not been watching the do,:ble
buggy for some few minutes, but there
had been something in it worth watching.
The driver was alone on the front seat,
with bag OF -four beside him, and he
did not turn to look behind him aS he
steadily remarked |
at isn't of any use. mother. That
blaze Il reach our place before we do"
Stern and silent sat old Mrs. Crawford.
while her husband was speaking; but =
younger and better pair Of eyes had been
their vision upon the smoke
wreaths and eddies ahead.
Father! There's man on the hill
He will be burnede"
God pity him! That's so."
The buggy had been driven along the |
prairie road. as closely in the rear of the |
fire rs old Mr.. Crawford dared
to press his snorting. frightened span Of
bays. and the distance between them snd |
the knob was not so very great. A gust
of wind lifted the smoke from Il, justfor n
Father! Father, Can't ven scee Can
we not do somethingf Mother.-moahcr |
it is Marshall Haynet'
The old man shivered from head to foot. |
and Mrs. Crawford tnrued suddenly |
around to look at her daughter. She
needed but one look.
"Viryinia Nv moor girl oh. did not |