Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-02
\ Thrilling iIyncricncc.

7
We whipped up the horses and drove
toward the upland, thinking thus to es-
cape the greatest danger We reached
the high ground before meeting any
flame, and we were greatly rcioiced to
sec that much Of the grass was still fair
ly green there, though thickly bestrcwn
with patches of longer grass that was
dry.
The fierce flames now approached,
rushing along with furious speed, crack
ling and snapping-the sound alone be-
ing sufficient 10 strike terror TO the
stoutcst heart. Galloping along the
line of fire, we found that where it
crossed little rayinc the flames were
not so high, for the grass was quite
green there. We dashed through the
line of flame, suffering brief tortures Of
suilocation, and 4 severe singing and
smarting Of our eyes, caused by the in
tense heat and pungcnt smoke.
Once through, we congratulated our
selves on the hope that we should yet
escape for, going in this direction,
right in the teeth OF the wind, we
could travel more rapidly than the pur-
suing flames
While passing through the fire. re-
called the proverb Its an i'll wind
that blows nobody good" for just in
( advance of the line of flame clouds Of
swallows darted here and there, catch
ing the hosts of insects started up by
the heat of the burning grass.
We now heard gallopinS hoois, and
we soon saw two Indians (Osages) APP
preaching through the smoke. Where
are YOU Coing?" they asked, in their
own language 80 Gray Horse" our
driver replied, in the same tongue.
They told him that tie prairie was
mass of flame in that direction, and
that we must 60 back. We responded
that all was flame in that direction.
Notwithstanding the indifference to
danger usually ascribed to redskins,
these Indians showed unmistakable
signs of terror. Some further quick
conversation informed Us that they,
like ourselves, had seized an opportun-
ty to penetrate the line of flame,
thinking thus to escape.
We all we.e now inclosed in a Grad
ually narrowing ring Of fire. To clear
the space Ground Us by burning off the
.li,ss-to start a "hacll-tirc, as it is
called-was our only safety; and this
we atte.npted. y large space was clear
ed before the oncoming fire reached us.
We hoped to escape with but singed
eyebrows. and 4 few moments of suilo=
cation: and this we considered fortu-
nate deliyerance. But we found our
last chance failing Us. The bGck-tirc
we had started against the wind had
burned on The dry grass, and in doing
so had served as n tiunlce u dry the
grecner grass. Thus the prairie-fire,
reaching our burned district, found the
grccner grasses killed and dried, and
hence had almost rs much fuel as out
side.
The fire was now close around us,
The varying currents of cir heated
by the flame whirled and rose, and
gusts Of cold air, rushing in to re-
place the hot air, caused whirl
wind, and Il great well of smoke and
flame was thus formed. Within this well
we stood rs yet unharmed and with a
constant supply Of cool air, but expect
ing death.
1t was dreadful moment; the moth
er and the child were crying; the In
dians, with up!ifted arms, were calling
( upon the Great Spiril, il a weird chant.
suddenly we felt an unusually strong
rush of cold air from one side, and,
looking up, saw 4 strange and vel
come sight. \ long tongue of flame
had run toward and into our circular
prison from the main fire. and had
burned lane from the outlying burnt
area in 10 us. Through this lane, form
ed by walls Of fire. came rushing in
current of cold, clear air. This kept
the smoke blown away, and we saw
] plainly the path Of escape thus provi-
/ dentially afforded us, when all hope
seemed gone.-F. II. Kellogg in 81.
/ NicbcjoS.