The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-11-12
PRICE FIVE CEN is

the environments Of the camp. Without
knowing why, he had presentment or
coming evil. There was a glow on the
horizon that he did not like. Wolves APP
peared In increasing numbers. moving in
an easterly direction. Flocks of plover
and other birds of the plains flew past with
unwonted cries. 10 FIetcher's trained
mind and eye the occurrence foreboded
evil. He thought of fire, but apprehended
no danger from that source. He knew
there was river eight or ten miles away,
20 the west, and ne believed it would be an
effectual barrier 10 a con1aGration coming
from that direction. lie knew there was
no fire our side OF the stream.
Puzzled by the movement OF animals and
BIRDS and keen. as always, Tor adventures.
he saddled his horse and galloped off into
the night 10 investigate. lie rode rapidly
for an hour. which brought him To the
river. 1t traversed a valley several miles
in width, which sloped toward the west.
The bank on our side was fifteen or twenty
feet higher than on the opposite side. Ris-
ing like a wall it smut out the view from
the westerly side of the stream.
Dismounting and standing on a little
knoll Indian grave, he looked upon Re-
marl1able scene. FOr miles beyond the
river the plain was mass OF flames,
gathering force and volume as it swept
forward, and consuming everything IN it,
tint we and he had observed on the hori-
ION. He was not alarmed, for he still
thought the river would check the progress
OF the flames.
Magnificent, but iyvfuI.
For half an hour he stood motionless.
watching the magnificent spectacle. Rapid
ly the fire eat its way toward the river.
At 4 narrow place a tuft of burning grass
was caught up by Tire w1irlwind of flames
and waited over the stream. lie knew In
an instant what this meant. The camp
WAS in danger ana We would have to i1gh-
for our lives.
Putting spurs to his horse he began a
ride for the camp as heroic as that Of
Sheridan from Winchester. Ills horse was
wiry and active. and he lid not spare him.
His feelings can be better imagined than
described as ne sped along Under the silent
stars yith death in his wake. His object
was 60 reach the camp ions enough IN ad-
vance of tie fire to enable 10 take
measures for cur safety.
Gushing through tine stockade of wagons
without drawing rein, Fletcher discharged
his pistol and shouted: The prairie IS on
fire. The flames have crossed the river.
The camp is in danger Every member of
the party was up in an instant. There was
no panic. Even tine women were cool ana
collected. We We're always on the lockout
Tor danger. and were in Il manner prepared
IL. y
wise measures for our safety. None OF las
knew. how 70 fight q prairie fire, and in
stinctyely We turned TO Fletcher for ad-
vice.
Like a general with the glow OF excite
r.,ent upor his f.ce he issued his orders
rapidly ana demanded prompt obedience.
knowing that the trees would increase the
danger. he conducted US out of the grove
into the open plain. The wagons were
as r.-f.- Il.
were drenched With wafer rom a spring
near by ana thrown over the wagons Ioc
protection Grass was mOwu for some dis
tanee around. The animals were turned
loose 70 shift Tor themselves, but they
lowered around the camp as if conscious
of the impending danger.
= Iora.sla Of Flame.
These preparations had hardly been COM
plaJed when the fire burst upon Us. It
came sweeping over the plain in great bill
lows. IL struck US fair and square. All al
once we were environed BIZ fame. We HAD
done All We could and silently awaited tine
result. The heat wj-s Intense and the
smoke sitting. We saw that the wet bed
ding and clojn!ng on the wagons was hold
ing back the fire in that direction. Five
minutes of intense anxiety eu-ue-. Then
tine sea- OF flame parted and swept forward
on either side with q roar like that OF a
Ne then looked after results. Two small
children had been smothered by the smoke
and heat Three men, VINO hid sought
safety ay climbing .-aes. contrary 10 or
ders. We're found burned to CrlSo. The
flames had euvei0pcj every -ree In the
grove from root 10 1OpI5sG branch. All Jt
oar bedding had been consumed and t--
wagons were badly sc3.chgt- l4etSueF
Kept watch over the amin is and WHen rG-
flame parted he drove tuem into tae Io-
closure from the rear. Three horses and
several cows. straying on. persisted.
Next morning We dug grave near Jhe
foot of "a larse walnut tree. in vaich Ea
deposited our dead. meUded Cur wagons
the best we could and with mo- bedding and
little clothing resumed our Journey with
heavy hearts The five bodies were after
wards eNhumed and taken 10 Sonoma icr
intermeut.
The awfIlness of prairie and forest fires
cannot be realized By those Who nave never
witnessed them. People in the northwest
who are passing through this terrible ex-
perience. the worst probably in the history
of the country. are deserving Of the ac-
tive synapathieS Of the American people.
HERMAN IIARTER.
IN each ne.ehb5ruood- Uehave gwen away
rings the past two wears AitlesS. - ,,,,,