Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-12-10

our Kamera, Dut another, which was IN
flames, we concluded that II must be the one
In which the men were confined, and shrek
ing the names Of our friends we rushed at
the door, vainly trying to break it open.
The nufIled clAmor Of voices told us that
the men were still shut up Suddenly there
was n great outburst OF voices as they forced
their door. and the next instant they were
CRYING 10 us from the outside OF our hut
and beating funously at the door which
separated US. We stood back Us the heavy
panels creaked under gne pressure Of sturdy
shoulders. and presently a mighty thrust
burst the lock away, and the door few back.
In the midst OF the wild confusion that
followed felt my arm grasped and found
Gordon by my side.
Come along, little woman. Don't give
way: there's briclS--it's all right"
Half faintlng with fright and the suf
locating effect Of the dense smoke blowing
down upon US, l staggered along by his
side, past crowd OF panic stricken
wretches surging about the gate Of thu
yard in expectation Of its being opened fot
them TO escape, and then through shower
OF sparks and past a roaring and cracking
mass Of fire into an open space, where it
was possible to breathe freely and get
comprehensive idea Of what was going on.
This etape, like most Others consisted Of
four or Ave log buildings OF single story
inclosed by high pallsnde Of solid logs
planted side by aide, and zach cut to sharp
point at the top. One OF the buildings,
used as a storshouse and carpenters shop,
had taken fire, and the wind, which was
blowing ilercely, carried the flames and
smoke down upon the kaInera. The end
Of that one IN which Gordon bad been shut
up was already blazing and 1t looked as II
all the huis IN succession must catch fire
aud be destroyed. for the officials could do
nothing 10 extflguish the flames aud were
solely occupied in dragging what movables
Nule worth SAVING into the space where we
and few others stood.
Just In front Of US was nm ugly little man
with a red beaTd A sarrlonic grin was on
his impish face.
Look at them" he said, pointing to a
party OF warders hauling along cum
brous piece OF furniture. Half n dozen
men choking themselves to save piece Of
wood not worth couple Of kopccks, and
not one win stir u foot to prevent those
poor wretched devils trampling each other
to death ut the locked gate"
rs there amy danger here'" asked. He
turned around md answered bittcrly
YES; there's the danger Of living to see
the mines Of Kara or any other pit OF
Tophct that our holy car IN his mercy con.
signs us to-"
Shading his eyes from the glare Of the
flames and looking into the smoke, he
said;
. "If those fools, instead OF pounding each
other into jelly, would only pile them
selves into heap systematically, there
would be a chance fOr some OF us to snatch
n few days respite in the forest. Hello"
hocNclained Us n lull came in the conflict
OF screams aud curses. They're not such
fools after nll they've got the gate olT its
hinEes-l'lu OFF, And with that he dis
appeared into the smoke.
The wurdens also discovered what had
happened. Half q dozen ran across to
shed and returned with rifles in their hands
The noise AZ the gates was over now. The
cracking OF timber the soft whirl OF
rising flame, an occasional thud as a beam
fell-these were the only sounds that
reached US for q minute or two, Then
shot was fired, and another and another
half dozen shots perhaps, and two or
three yells answered for echo
We stood still till the warders returned,
one by one and all was still Then Gordon,
drawing closer to me, whispered;
shall we tryp'
"Yes, yes--we will try" answered
eagerly, for the thought that we also might
escape had just then occurred to me
Gordon slipped down his hand and
grasped mine tightly. Between us aud tho
gateway, on which the smoke still blew
down in thick column, charged with
whirllng sparks and dropping flakes OF
fiery cmbers, stood a couple Of warders
One was charging his rifle,
I'VE must make u slip behind them aud
make n dnsh for the smoke" said Gordon
as we edged that way
We waited one breathlcss minute. aud
then rs roof fell in, throwing up nm
eddying column Of sparks which drew Off
the attention OF the warders, we slipped
quickly behind them and rushed into the
smoke.
We were seen. A voice called to lis to
stop, ind q shot was fired nftcrus But we
were already lost to sight The smoke
blinded us, and stumbling over the bodies
OF those who had been trampled to death in
the frantic struggle to escape we reached
the open gateway