Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-02-22

out HllH NHVip NHH w HIp w wv pVVHi
nor noiss Of II to be heard, They
pressed on with what speed they could,
and soon found themselves on the edge
of the nearly level plateau, which the
gulch they had just left cut like an im'
mense iurrow, Compelled to pause
moment to gather breath, they looked
back TO the west and saw u magnificent
sight, The fire had reached the canon,
which on one side was more abrupt than
on the one where they now stood, The
smoke rose lazily, upborne by slight
breeze Wniun pvSau ~ piv" s'..--eh
the valley, so that the children could
see the shining line Of clear fire reach
the edge Of the opposite hill and
begin to burn down. Vast trees were
blazing from root to topmost twig, aud
soon they saw several totter over and
plunge their burning mass down the
side Of the canon. They were stopped
in their descent, however, by the thick
growths, and lay blazing and setting
all around them in blaze.
"Oh, Lou, look Heaven help us"
cried Minnie. "rhc fire will be slow
in getting down that hill, but once at
the bottom, il will rush up here. Lot
us run run if we can not get to
clearing soon, we shall be burned.
Oh, Mother, Mother?" she sobbed.
Then suddenly checking herself, like
the brave girl she was, she added,
calmly:
~ know there is u trail somewhere
here leading to Mr.. Highbatc's farm,
for they used to have picnic parties last
summer to the spring where we lunch
ed. If we could only find that trail !"
BY this time the girls were a good
distance from the canon, though, with
their utmost efforts, they could not go
quickly, having to force their way
through the thick bushes, and being
trippcd up every minute by long, tough
grasses. just then, Minnie stumbled
and fell full length, and rolled over in
a sort of long, bare furrow between
some bushes. Almost before she could
| iie., SnS 'i..' :,
"Oh, thank heaven! Lou, here is !!
the trail the trail"
This narrow, rough path, overarched
with trees and bushes, and full OF
stumps and broken branches, seemed to
her more beautiful at that moment
than if it had been paved with gold
and inlaid with precious stones. Now,
indeed, could these little girls, both
practiced woodswomen, feel that they
had a chance to escape the dreadful foe
behind them. They did not mind the
roughnesses of the path, and even when
they found some great log across it, it
did not take long to climb it. Still, DO
their best, they could not go very fast,
for they were nearly worn out, and
their very fear weakened them and
retarded their fight.
Suddenly, Minnie stood still to lis
ten, and her heart beat faster as she
heard dull roar mingled with snap
ping sound. She knew the fire had
reached the near side Of the canon, and
was galoping up, soon to hiss along the
path they were travelling. Was there
no hope? Must she, and the little Or
phan cousin in her care, indeed perish
miserably, only a few hours walk from
the home they had left so happily this
morniug,-only a few miles from safe
shelter? Yes, was her despairine
thought, they must die,-die horrible
death. The fire would certainly over
take them before they could reach
Farmer Highbate's, and there was nc
clearing nearer. Oh if she had but
match to start 9 fire in front of them
and so make safe refuge In tha
case, this breeze, which was spuring OF
their pitiless enemy, would become
their best friend. But no; she knew
that neither she nor Louisa had
match, and already the smoke from
behind was thickening about them IL
sitting folds. They tottered on, Lou
isa crying, and Minnie with dry eyes
and blazing cheeks.
Minnie had noticed, hardly knowing
at the moment that she did so, tall
guant redwood-tree, perfectly dead
which stood just where they had tount
the trail. Glancing back now, she saw
u great red tongue Of flame leap upon i
and dart to its very top. She shud
dered, and then like flash OF light
ming, "just like the fame darted OF
the dead tree," as she afterward said
a thought struck through her brain
which made her flushed cheeks pale
and made her feel sick and faint, fol