The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-01-12

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common surface of their foam-fecked
backs. 1t was magnificent, but it was
terrible! "What would be my lot when
overtaken?" asked myself.
In my despair looked along the line
for Peter, without for one moment eX-
pecting to see him, but he was there,
struggling along just in front OF the
foremost buffaloes. / knew in an in
slant that could look for no assistance
from him. for he had all he could do to
keep himself from falling beneath the
crushing hoofs Of the herd.
Then thought Of firing the grass ON
the far side of the slough when l
reached it, and so perhaps turn or stop
the stampede. But matches / had not
and flint and steel were too slow.
There was not moment to lose, for
already l was at the edge OF the mud
and about to plunge into the tall grass
again. There was no help for it; l
must try the flint and steel. AS thrust
my hands into my pockets to search for
them, glanced to estimate how much
grace had before the herd would be
upon me. In doing so my elbow came
in contact with the powder horn at my
belt. and gave me an inspiration, to
which l owe my life.
Drawing my hand from my pocket l
seized the horn and wrenched off the
top; then turning to a patch of thick
grass poured out the powder. l I'M
slung the rifle from my shoulder and,
placing the muzzle close to the little
black heap, pulled the trigger. A
lurid flame and cloud of white smoke
shot up from the grass, but for a
moment l feared the scheme was fail
ure, for the spot where the powder had
lain showed no signs of fire. An in
slant later. however, l saw two or three
little flames burning feebly in the old
grass fully four feet away.
To the largest of these flames I
sprang and falling upon my knees, bent
handful of grass to feed it. 1t Vas an
anxious moment, but it took fire. Pull
ing another handful, l lighted it and,
running along the edge of the slough,
set fire to the grass as l went.
BY the time this torch had burned
out. the first fire had gained considera-
BILE Roadway and already great tongues
of flame were curling and licking along
the surface of the ground fully hun
dred feet from the starting point.
| turned to see what effect it would
have on the buffaloes and saw with re-
lief that the leaders were swerving
some to the right and some to the left.
to avoid the new danger in front of
them
But the poor creatures were destined
to disappointment, for the lire which
had been pursuing them had made ter
rife progress while they were in the
mud and was now racing down the
sloug h sides at the rate of twenty-five
miles an hour. Before they reached
the end of the slough the flames had
rounded the corners. and were rapidly
closing in to meet the fire which had
started.
In an instant the whole troop was
thrown into confusion and with wild
bellows of terror the demoralized
creatures of the now divided herd
began racing rcclzlessly round the cir
Gle of fire which, owing to the high
wind and the weight of the grass, con-
tinucd to burn long after the fore
part of the line of flame had passed
over it,
Twice they rushed by me, going in
opposite directions, and then the two
bands met and in few terrible min
utes, while the clashing of their horns
and the bellows of the wounded
drowned the noise of the conflagration.
great numbers were trampled to death
The stampede was over, but the
smoke was still suffocating, and found
it necessary to keep my face covered
with my arm.
When | could, looked around among
the painting, shaggy animals for my
aorsc, but Pete was missing. 1 could
not see e sign Of him anywhere
Had band of Indians come down
that night there would have been ter
rible slaughter of butfaloes, but l was
in no mood to take life. 1 contented
mrself with watching, and, strange as
it may appear, the buffaloes seemed to
understand that they were safe ID the
slough, for they remained quiet until
morning, many Of the cows even lying
down and chewing their cuds, while the
bulls, like stalwart sentries, paced
round and round the herd, or stood
snuiIing the tainted air.
In the morning the herd moved off to
seek fresh pastures. but leaving the
bodies Of fully hundred dead scat
tered about the slough.
Among them found poor Pete.
From financial standpoint of view,
that prairie fire brought me great
profit, for to the buffalo hides l secured
and cached owe the farm on which
now live. -Capel Rawley, in Atlanta
Constitution.