San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-21

tive EOuIS ldJeT slim, re
reached over the crest OF I'll
that bounded the horizon d
camp TO the south II writhe
way and that among the long
stems. Another and another fol
it, then d wall of fame, reaching
and west as far as the eve couI(
low, rose over the ridge and bore down,
with race-hcrse speed, upon the de-
voted little settlement below
Jake Ringer stirred uneasily in his
sleep, and flung a protecting arm over
the quiet figure beside him. A glare of
lurid light filed the little room with
the brightness of MONDAY; but still
they slept on. Outside in the corral
horses were snorting and stamping,
their wild eyes staring at the distant
but swift-coming danger The ami
mails picketed on the prairie tugged at
their stout ropes, rearing and scream
ing.
Old Tom Griffin, walked by the rising
clamor, sprang with bound to the
door. "Firet FIRE." he shouted
Quick, out of this, or ven smother
like rats in a hole!"
Four half-clad figures rushed out in
to the night, and Dick Elland beat on
Jake Ringers door, calling: "Upl Upl
if We value yer livesr'
Reused from his heavy slurnber Jake
stumbled across the floor; trembling,
Carmen followed close behind.
One look at the oncoming demon
brought Jake to his wandering senses.
"a back-fre, quick, you idiotsr' he
bawled, and made break for the
cook house.
Old Tom laid powerful, restraining
hand on his shoulder.
TOO late, my lad" he shouted above
the din of the frantic, penned-in herd.
THAT furnace 'ud reach us afore twas
even started"
Indeed, the fiery breath of the adj
vancing flames already scorched their
faces.
"We must trust to our good horse
fiesh!' spoke up Dick Elland, quickly.
A rush for the picketed ponies-in
an instant more each man was riding
for his life.
Jack Ringer was first in the saddle;
he curbed his frightened steed with
one strong arm, and with the other
swung Garments light form to seat
behind him.
1T was old Tom who stopped at the
corral. snatched the chain from its
hook, and, finging wide the gates,
gave freedom to the poor, crazed crea-
lures within the walls.
Fear lent wings to their feet-the
ridden and The riderlesG together
dashed eagerly toC2rd the dark north
ern horizon, where, miles away, lay
safety in the cool waters of the Brazos.
No one looked back in time to see how,
with n leap and roar, the hungry
flames bounced on the deserted build
ings, and, in one short moment, licked
up every trace of mans handiwork.
On and on, mile after mile of dry
prairie slipping back from their swift
beating hpofs, sped the fleeing band.
Anxious faces turned now and then
to see if they kept their start
from their evil pursuer. 1t was
Carmen, covering on old Generals
broad back-Carmen, clinging with
a clutch of despair to Jake's Shout
ders-who turned the oftenest 1t
was Carmen who first noticed the short
distance-so terribly, hopelessly short
between them and the eddying flame
cloud was lessening. She shrieked
aloud in her terror, but Jake babe her
sternly: Take courage! It's only two
miles more to the riyer!" q
Only two miles!-but the pace was
telling. The work-weary and laden
ponies were already distanced by the
flying herd. Old General, with his
double burden, still kept his place in
the van, but Jake could feel he was
weakening.
Nearer and ever nearer swept the de-
strpying element. Slower and slower
seemed to move the painting and strain
ing horses.
A mile-a half-mile-now but quar-
ter-to safety! Could they make it?
The fire was pressing them closely; the
singing smoke blinded men and
horses; their skins parched and cracked
in the awful heat. Inch by inch Old
General lost his frontage; in vain Jake
piled the spur, in vain he swore and he
pleaded; the good old horse was SPENT
In one last, despairing glance back
ward, Jake saw that the flames were
upon them; his brave beast still stag
gered forward, but at that pace moth
ing could save them. Garments face
was buried on his shoulder.
With parched lips the man muttered:
"At least we die together"
A wild scream ran through the pail
of grass smoke. Old Tom on the river
bank heard it: "AdloS, caro- MO, one
alone may be saved!'
The clinging arms relaxed; relieved
of the woman's weight, the horse
sPTang forward.
For Q second her figure stood haloed,
as her hair and light garments blazed
upward; then the swirling pillows
shut out the terrible picture.
Jake Ringer covered his eyes and
fell forward on Generals neck. He
did not know that his hair was singed
and his clothes already smoldering as
his horse plunged into the Bra2os,. He
did not know that his comrades lifted