The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-02-17
SURROUNDED BY FIRE.

anu, even Iowa, IN her advanced stage IS not
exempt from it.
There are still large tracts Of unsettled
prairie over which devastating flames sweep
annually, Notwithstanding the fact that our
la ws attach heavy penalties to the crime of
setting out fires at this season of the year
On the evening of November 2, 1880, rode
out for the distance of seven miles, to wit
ness prairie fire, that might accurately
describe 1t to our readers
The settlement extends about FIVE miles
east of Bur Oak Grove, and from thence an
uncultiyated prairie, twenty-five miles in
width, offers grand scope for the flames -
On the evening in question, we assembled an
eminence and beheld one unbroken line OF
fire extending from north to south, as far as
the eye could reach, now bending to the east
for mile or two, and now to the west,
bounded on one side by backened waste,
on the other by a brown expanse, over which
the flames were steadily advancing
As it moved over the short upland grass,
it was not more than foot in height in 9th
er places it shot skyward in fiery jets as it
struck the swampY ground. where reeds and
flags grew rank and tall, while, scattered
over the blackened space, huge pyramids of
marking places where tons of hay were max
ing midnight fires.
The wind was low, and the lire moved
leisurely along, in strong contrast with the
evening before when a young man residing
with his widowed mother upon the outskirts
of the settlement had discovered the fire
sweeping down upon them, borne by fierce
, head wind that threatened to destroy all be-
fore it.
The usual mode of protecting isolated
farms, is to plow a strip of land about twen-
ty feet in width around the premises, and in
ordinary cases the fire will not pass over
but it was evident that, with such breeze,
plowing would be Of but little avail, and in
company with the nearest neighbors the
young man undertook the hazardous work
of fighting it by back fires, that is, by burn
ing the prairie in small patches before it has
sine to sweep down in one extended line. In
places 1t was easy enough; in Others, it re-
quired all their efforts to keep it from getting
beyond their control For several hours
; they kept it within bounds, but suddenly
whirwind passed through the fire, scattering
sparks and burning grass in luminous
shower about them
The fire started anew in thousand pla-
ces, as sparks caught and ignited, expanding
into flaming sheets of light, which grew wider
and wider with every breath of the wind.
"Merciful Heaven we are surrounded -
exclaimed the older man, as he glanced
hastily about for some means of escape.
There was no time for consultation the
flames were sweeping down from the east,
borne by the resistless force of the wind
which caught the tall grass as it burned off
at the roots, and hurled it forward upon the
inflammable vegetation beyond.
If they Tetreated before it, they must pass
over piece of swampy ground where grass
and weeds grew rank and strong, with every
prospect of being oyertaken in a worse place
than where they were
On came the flames like wrathful fiend.
, Every moment the air grew hotter and the
sparks thicker as the dangerous clement was
. borne towards them on the wings of the
! wind and each acting upon bis own impulse
fed in different directions. The younger
, man ran straight toward the flames, and al
though the burning SPACE appeared 20 be
, only line, he found it much wider than he
, supposed, and instead of clearing it with a
: bound, as he had intended, he was obliged to
pass over several rods of burning grass, an6
NilCAl iiO lNdNhCu tA4C op1NC uIAOahg DdA lACAlS
his hair and eyebrows were badly singed
and his coat on fire. Quickly drawing off
the garment, he succeeded in extinguishing
, it, and then looked around expecting to see
, his neighbor, but the older man had run out
. into the slough and lay down with only his
head above the water to await the coming of
the flames. In few moments the place was
completely hidden from view by the crimson
sheet that swept over it F.; how living being
could live in the midst of so much flame and
smoke seemed too deep a mystery, and as
{ soon as the grass had burned sufficiently
l away the young man returned to look fol
his missing comrade When the smoke ha6
4 cleared the man rose from his place of doubt
= full refuge and stood gasping upon the shore
"How are you ?" asked the younger, ad-
vancing toward him.
II am nearly boiled, that's about how
am,' he said, as soon as he could recover
d breath enough to speak.
''The flames heated the air until ! wa:
I obliged to duck my head under, then the
3 burning reeds fell into the water until they
= set it to steaming and when l raised my
Z head 1 got a breath of hot air, that made me
: think that my choice lay between boiling
: and roasting I'd like to see the fellow tha
q kindled the fire in my place for awhile how
Jared you?'
''I am Scorched some, but very glad to es
y cape so easily, although have not the least
= desire to try again. But bark what was
I, that 90
The two men listened anxiously for mo
ment, aud the sound was repeated, striking
a chill to their hearts far more terrible thar
: anything they had before experienced.
1t was human cry, and so full of agony
. and despair that the two men trem5led as il
" ca me borne across the waste, fearfully wild
and distinct above the roar Of the flames.
. '''Tis a woman's voice. said the elder
= man, as g shudder ran through his frame at
thought of fellow being perishing horribly
: so near that they could hear the heart-rend-
= ing sbrieks.
s'Look, look - shouted the younger man,
/, pointing in the direction from which the
sound proceeded, where, darkly outlined
!. against the lurid sky, female form was Wis
ible retreating before the flames which every
moment gained upon her
i go God it is my Lily my own precious
> child Is there no way to save her?" ex'
: claimed the older man, despairingly, as his
/, gaze fell upon the fleeing girl.
"AIas, none" were the muttered words
that rose to the lips of his companion, as his
> - ,,aas,,rad ffa distance and he saw how