The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-05
TRI-WEEKLY EDITION.
had lghtened up strangely at the first
glimpse OF the mighty figure, which
doubtless recalled to him many STIR.

glimpse OF the mighty figure, which
doubtless recalled to him many a STIR
ring memory OF hts past LIE. ,..,, I.
But the momentary, g!slaasSl.S as.S ssfsf.s Z
tion faded just as suddenly.
|> BY the time they reached the foot
OF tho bluff, the three young sportsmen
were as hungry as hawks; aud they did
full justice to the good things whioh
they had brought with them.
Many Jokes were made upon the
''big chief" in whose shadow they were
feastlng. and into whose open mouth
Dick Harrison, the wag of the party,
proposed to empty what was lett OF
their food.
The Sun was at its height, when their
mirth received sudden and terrlble
interruption.
= All the time of their meal Mahto.
ohuga had seemed strangely startled,
shifting the air like startled deer, and
turning his head uneasi1y from side to
side.
Suddenly he sprung up as at the
war. whoop OF hostile tribe, and
shouted
"He comes, he comes! our tread has
aroused him, and his face is set this
way"
'"lo horsei pale faoesl aud ride for
your livesl'
Overawed by the terrible emphasis
of the old mans tone and manner, the
three Englishmen mounted at once,
though without the l,ast idea what was
the matter.
But their horses evidently knew, even
If they did not.
Hardly were they in the saddle when
their frightened horses darted off across
the prairie as If chased by wolves.
What could it all mean2
Look back as they might, they GOULD
see nothing particular-except, indeed,
tiny curl of smoke far in the distance,
as if some giant were lighting his pipe.
Tom Melton was the first of them to
guess the hideous truth.
"You were right, Frank" he gasped
hoarsely, ''it's lite or death with us
now. The prairie's Oh tire'
All that followed was like an ugly
dream.
They were dlmly conscious of scurry-
ing franticaliy through forest of tall
grass with the hot breath of the de-
stroyer coming closer and closer upon
their trail, and glare overhead as If
the whole sky was on tire, while past
them flew terrified crowd of wolves,
prairie-dogs, deer. ravens, vultures and
ever and anon O herd Of huge black
buffaIoes, filing the air with hoarse
bellowings OF terror.
But swift as their pace was, the fire
was swifter, and tho roar and oraokIe
of the flames came nearer and nearer,
till it seemed as if the conflagration
were at their very heels.
Frank Sedgwick's horse began to
show signs of failing; and the doomed
men olenohed their teeth in desperation.
But just as all hope seemed gone,
there yawned in front Of them one of
those vast deep ohasms so common on
the western prairies, beyond which lay
bare tract that would give no hold to
the fire, even should it be carried across
the gulf by flying sparks,
1t was fearful leap. but with certain
death close behind them, there was no
time to he state.
One by one they cleared the gap, tho
Indian foremost; but Sedgwlck's tired
horse slipped as it alighted Oh the other
side, and Frank Melton had barely
time to seize Frank in his strong hands
and literally tear him from the saddle,
when tho poor horse fell helplessIy
down the preoipice with shrill CRY.
"a close shave. boys" said Dick
Harrison, drawing long breath.
"You don't catch me out on the prai-
rie again in the dry season, I can tell
youl"
''Nor me either" cried Tom Melton.
turning away his scorched face as the
flames, surging up along the edge of
the ohasm. shot long tongues of fire
at them across tho gulf with savage
roar.
''Nor me either" echoed Sedgwiok;
and all three kept their word.