The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-06-22

WHY ~ l'N Ih'ii'''i0' p''N''N'lllS lllib
which witnessed Pats encounter with
Braxton, it became evident to all that
the woods had indeed taken fire. and
apprehension blanched each cheek as
the eyes Of the pioneers were often
turned toward the west where. although
still miles away, dense volumes of smoke
could be seen ascending heavenward
during the daytime, and at night line
of fire marking the approach of the con-
Stunning element.
Then a stiff breeze Sprang out of the
west. and with rapid strides the fire
with front stretching out several
miles. came on with accelerated pace.
1t was useless to attempt to stay its
progress, for there was no water to APP
ply. and scraping the earth bare of
leaves in front of it availed naught, for
the fire, when its progress was slacken-
ed at the ground, leaped from tree-top
to tree-t0p, so that the brave workmen
who endeayored to stay its career upon
the ground, were compelled to flee to
avoid being surrounded and consumed
by the scorching flames.
Fighting the fire with human hands
and hnman agencies was futile. and the
attempt was soon abandoned Those
who lived in its course and nearest il,
hastily packed few Of their most val
liable and least bulky articles in their
wagons, and drove rapidly away toward
the east and safety, leaving their houses
and such of their household goods as
could not he readily piled upon their
wagons, to be destroyed by the swiftly
approaching DANES.
The wild animals of the forest. with
unerring instinct, realized the approach
ing danger and fled from it. Still on
ward rushed the flames, quickly con-
suming the forest carpet of dry leaves
and stripping the trees of their foliage,
leaving their trunks and lea ness
branches S,adingp pointing heayenward
like So many scared and blackened
monuments, Of the fire S destroying pow
er.
All along in its wake stood these grim
monuments. \ carpet of hot ashes
covered the earth where lately the
leaves and flowers had made beauteouS
the surface Of the ground. Here and
there the fire fingered in dry log or
tree, gleefUlly disporting itself with its
Combustible tibreS, nor left it until all
that remained was mass of dull gray
ashes
The nearest settlers to the westward
Of Mr.. La Vergne had already left their
homes soon to become prey to the fire
tiend, and were hurrying with theil
families to place Of safety.
Mr.. La Tergnc's wagon was loaded
with as many Of his household goods as
he could safely place upon it, his horses
were already hamcSsed before it and |
stood paving and snorting, impatient |
to move forward, as if they knew the
power Of the relentless monster that |
was hurrying down upon them. while |
the family were all ready to fee as soon |
as the word should be given by Mr.. La |
Nergne, and all We're ruefully looking |
at their log home and bidding it a 81
lent, and as they believed, AN eternal |
good bye.
All day long, bears, wolves, panthers,
leer, and scores of the smaller animals |
lad been seen bounding by toward the
asst. FlOcks of wild turkeys and other
crest fowls had hurried past with a
taste that plainly evinced they feared
nd were determined to escape the
readful peril.
Pat stood with his ak. the insignia of
lis art, upon his shoulder, and his broad
Mouth tightly closed to keep back the
EXPRESSIONS Of grief at leaving the
Genes of his tolls and his joys, which
Re could with difficulty repress.
The fire was now within less than a
nile of them, and in all probability |
within two hours would cover the spot |
Ipon which they then stood while the |
moke, blown in advance by the stiff |
,ree2e, was almost sitting.
Mr.. La Nergne was about to give the |
to start. when bark What |
Ound is that which shakes the earth |
md browns the roar of the On-coming |
lanes and sends a thrill through all |
there?
1t is a peal of thunder. and is hailed |
" all with the same feeling that thrills |
he hearts of beleaguered and despair
ng soldiers when they hear the wei
,ome thunder of friendly guns hasten
ng to their assistance.
All eyes were involmtarily turned |
oward the sky, but 50 dense was the |
smoke that the dark rain-cloud that had |
oomed up and overspread the heavens, |
vas indiscernble. Then came another
vivid flash of lightning succeeded by a
ouder peal of thunder, and Il randrop
struck upon the uptumed face of Mr.. |
La Vergne.
"Thank Cod" he fervently calculated,
Our house may be saved yet"
Another randrop struck the hand of |
another member of the family, and am
other and another quickly succeeded.
and with another terrific thunder peal, |
The rain began pouring from the clouds |
in steady torrent as if the flood gates
Of heaven had been burst open.
The horses were quickly unhitchcd
and led to the stable by Pat, while the
remainder Of the family hurried to
secure the shelter of the house. although