Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-08-16
A BRAVE GIRL.


Yes, Indy; what's wanted?'
Ma wants to know how long it II be
fore you're ready"
"Oh, tell her I'll be at the door by the
time she gets her things on. Be sure
you have the butter and eggs all ready
to put into the wagon. We're maxim
too late start to town.
Butter and eggs. indeed. As if Indy
needed reminder other than the new
dress for which they were to be ex
changed
Elmer and can 90 to town next
time. can't we, MAJ she asked, enter
ing the house.
"Yes, Indy; hope So was the re-
ply. '.But don't bother me now; your
pa is coming already, and haven't my
shawl on vet. Yes, Wilbur: I'm here.
Just put this butter in, Indy; I'll car
~ the eggs in my lap. Now, Indy,
don't let Elmer play with the fire or
run away.'
And in moment more the heavy
lumber wagon ratified away from the
door, and the children stood gazing aft
sr it for awhile, in half-fOrlOrn man.
ner Then Indy went in to do her
work, Elmer resumed his play, and soon
everything was moving along as cheer
fully as ever.
After dinner, Elmer went to sleep, and
Indy, feeling rather lonely again, went
out-Of-doOrs for change. 1t was a
warm autumnal day, almost the perfect
counterpart of dozen or more which
| 10 81, h,.,S rI,<lx
and the hot winds that swept through
the tall grass made that and all else it
touched so dry that the prairie seemed
like vast Undertook. Though her
parents lad but lately moved to this
place. Lindv was accustomed to the
prairies. She had been born on them,
and her eyes were familiar with nothing
else; yet, rs she stood to-day with that
brown, unbrOken eXpanse rolling away
before her until it reached the pale
bluish-9ray of the sky, the Undesirable
| feeling of awe and terrible solitude
which such a scene often inspires in one
not familiar with it stole gradually over
her. But Indy was far too practical
to remain long under such an influence.
The chickens were "peeping loudly,
and she remembered that they were still
without their dinner.
AS she passed around the corner of
the house with dish of corn in her
hands, the wind almost lifted her from
the ground. 1t was certainly blowing
with greater violence than during the
morning.
Great tumble-weeds went flying by,
turning over and over with almost light
ning-like rapidity; then, pausing for an
instants rest, were caught by another
gust and carried along, mile after mile,
till some fence or other obstacle was
reached, where they could pile up in
great drifts, and wait till brisk wind
from an opposite direction should send
them rolling ard tumbling all the way
back. But Indy did not notice the
tumbIe-weeds The dish of corn had
fallen from her hands, and she stood
looking straight aht ad with wide-open,
terrified eyes.
What was the sight that so frightened
her?
Only line of fire below the horizon
Only line of fire, with fOrked flames
darling high into the air and cloud of
smoke drifting away from them. A
beautiful relief, this bright, changing
spectacle. from the brown mOnotOny of
the prairie.
But the scene was without beauty for
Indy. Her heart had given one great
bound when she first saw the red line,
and then it seemed to cease beating.
She had seen many prairie fires; had
! SCI 9TH E<.bt
them, and she knew at once the danger
her home was in. What could she, a
little girl, do to save it, and perhaps
herself and her little brother, from the
DESTROYER which the south wind was
bringing straight toward them?
Only for moment Lihdy stood. white
and mOtionless; then with bound she
was at the well. Her course was de-
cided upon. If only time and strength
were given her! Drawing two pals OF
water, she laid large bag in each, and
then, getting some matches, hurried out
beyond the stable. She must fight fire
with fire. That was her only hope: but
strong, experienced man would have
shrunk from starting back-fire in such
wind.
She fully realized the danger, but ii
was possible escape from otherwise in
evitable destruction, and she hesitated
not an instant to attempt it. Cautious
ly starting blaze, she stood with wet
bag ready to smother the first unruly
flame.
TIE great fire to the southwark was
rapidly approaching. Prairie chickens
! .nJ othor b;,JC Jr;yor FROM, thar most .
were flying over, uttering distressed
cries. The air was full of smoke and
burnt grass. and the cracking of the
flames could plainly be heard. 1t was
irving moment The increased roal
of the advancing fire warned Indy
that she had but very little time in
which to complete the circle arount
house and barn; still, if she hurried too
much, she would lose control of the
fire she had started, and with it all hope
of safety.
The heat was intense, the smoke suf
locating, the rapid swinging of the
heavy bag most exhausting, but she
was unconscious of these things. The
extremity of the danger inspired he1
with wonderful strength and endur
ance. Instead of losing courage. she
increased her almost superhuman exer
tons, and in another brief interval the
task was completed. None too soor
either, for the swiftly advancing col
umn had nearly reached the wavering
struggling. slow-moving line Indy hat
sent out to meet it.
1t was wild, fascinating. half teri
bic, half beautiful scene. The tongue.