The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-12-16

| AZ
wo had overlooked in the greater gnu-
gor that menaccd US. 1t was fast over.
hauling us, but it was not tho inkv
cloud with It's low line of yellow Giro
| that caused him to start aud listen 80
eagerly. There camo souud wnicn
we had noticed before--a confused
squcaling-mingled with the sam,
rumble Of many foot made by the hr:i.,-
locs, and II dark moving mass WI, in
advance of the fire. lookrd loJoa to
solve the mystery.
"Wild horso!' hu cried, as he Grvyo
tho spurs into his mustang. "Dey nry-
or turns out-Devii's run five i.i.r--
| mebDe six. "
Shall ever forgot that ridcp on
we went, tho fire momcntarily draw
ing nearer, tho billows OF smoke .ncu
instant growing dcnScr, and the heat
moro sutfocating; while the friy.,tnnni
squcals Of tho coming wild horses ..i n
glcd in u horrid choius with toe roar
of tho wind and fire.
One milc-two-and our ponies held
their ground bravoly, mover hal,inc,
never stumbling, they kept their cvc:,
strides neck to neck, but foam EryK,
covered their steaming sides, and lnrv
felt sorcly tho burden upon their hacNS
Like promise of safety tho stubDy
trees near Devils run LCckoued To ,iS
in the distance. "Can we make il.
Joo?' shouted as thought | read
hope in his swarthy face. "AioJDc So"
he answered with Indian :;conicism,
but he bowed low upon his horses
neck and drove tho spurs into his rccE
ing sides.
Ihrcc.-four miles were passed.
Could our gallant mustangs cover tho
fifth and lastp There was now cut n
confused medley OF sounds bcnind us,
tho roaring. squcaiing. ncigning, md
rumbing--a!l mingled in one horrid
din. The smokc-wrcaths whirlcd
around us. and We could not SEQ how
near the wild horses were. My eyes
seemed to bc starting from their sock
cts from the smarting heat. and my
horses breath was oLicl and .bCrud
rs he staggered hrnvcly on. Joe rode
straight for the fordinS- place. Frank,
and George. and gave cheer rs the
cool water splaShuL in our faces, and
II ever mortal man was thankful we
were thankful then. Blu, the danger
was not over. Although the wild
horses, mad with terror, did not know,
perhaps. OF the neurncsS Of water, ;hcy
were blndly rushing tho right way.
Come! commanded the hal;-brccd,
us he turned u? tho stream. We were
still in sight vi tho ford when the
horses reached it.. Even in that mo-
mcnt OF peril felt keen regret and
covetousness, As L gazcd upon their
proud beauty.
Wo drew under tho ovcrhanging
bank and waited in breathlcss anxiety
to SEQ whether they would choose to
go up tho stream or down, knowing
that instinct would teach them to keep
to the water. One magnificent fellow
tossed his silken name in the air rs he
cspled us, and stood there II second or
two. the perfect picture OF equine beau
ty, then with snort of surprise and
alarm dashed down tho stream, follow
Cd by his comrades. Joo uttered an
exclamation Of thankfulnoss rs they
Disappeared Tncn there came n roar
and Il rush like that of a tornado, the
long. red flames overhung tho bank,
almost reaching us rs they drew back
foiled OF their prey, little puils oi smoke
started on tho other side, and soon tho
banks OF Devils run were covered with
blackcned. smoking cindurs, whilo the
hre' SPrinSlhS up anew, swept on in
its work of destruction. Saved! 1t
was an hour or more before we retrac-
ed our steps to the ford, and climbed
the bank to the open prairie. As far
as the eyo could soc. the brown level
was changed to black, and, away ofor
rise Of ground, we could see the bill
lows OF smoke rs the fire rushed on.
Camp burned now-grass gone
buffalo gone, said Joe, and he turned
his horses head toward the settlement.
We reached it before another day. l
was hungry, tired, and sore, but still
mourning the loss of my buffalo robe
Joc could not be induced to try again,
but would answer, as inc pulled away
at his old black pipe. and aziy watch
ed the smoke curling above his hoad.
mo graSs-no buffalo. Como next
year. "-Frcd SWa!i, dr., IN Chicago
Times.