The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-15

round the horizon, where no uncom
mon sign was manifest, he at las
sought his bunk. Tired natr~e soo
drowned his fears in sleep
FIVE hours later slim. red tongu
reached over the crest of the knoll
that bounded the horizon of Sta
camp to the south. It writhed thi
way and that among the long grass
stems. Another and another followes
it, then d wall of flame, reaching cas-
and west as far as the eye could fol
low, rose over the ridge and bore down
with race-horse speed, upon the de
voted little settlement below.
Jake Ringer stirred uneasily in hi.
sleep, and flung a protecting arm ovel
the quiet figure beside him. glare Of
lurid light filled 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 piclxetcd on the prairie rugged al
their stout ropes, rearing and scream.
ing.
Old Tom Griffin, walked by the rising
clamor, sprang with bound to the
door. Fire! Firei' he shouted.
Quick, out Of this, or yell smother
like rats in holei"
Four half-clad figures rushed ont in
to the night, and Dick Elland beat on
Jake Ringers door, calling: "Upl Up!
if We value yer. livcs!'
Reused from his heavy slumber joke
stumbled across the floor; trembling,
Carmen followed close behind.
One look at the oncoming demon
brought Jake to his wandering senses
"a back-fire, quick, you idiotsl" he
bawled, and made a 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
fesh!" 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, 6inging wide the gates.
gave freedom to the poor, crazed crea-
lures within the walls.
Fear lent wings to their fect-tha
ridden and the riderless together
dashed eagerly toward the dark north
ern horizon, whore, miles away, lay
safety in tho cool waters of the Brazos.
No one looked bacs in time to see how,
with leap and roar, the hungry
flames pounced 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 hoofs, 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 oftencst. II
was Carmen who first noticed tho short
distance-so terribly, hopelessly short |
them and the eddying fame
cloud was lessening She shrieked
aloud in her terror, but Jake babe. her
sternly: Take courngcl It's only two
miles more to the riverl''
Only two milcsl-but the pace WINS
telling. The worIk-weary and laden
ponies were already distanced BY the
dying 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 tho de-
'troying element Slower and slower
seemed to move the painting and strain
ng horses
A mile-a half-mile-now but q quar-
;er--to safety Could they make it9
The fire was pressing them closely; the
singing smoke blinded men and Il
lorses; their skins parched and cracked
n the awful heat Inch by inch Old
General lost his frontage; In vain Jake
,lied the spur, in vain he sworc and he
'leaded; tho good old horse was spentI
In one last, dcspairing glance back
ward, Jake saw that the flames wcro
'pon them; his brave beast still stag
'cred forward, but at that pace moth
ng could save them. Garments face
vas buried on his shoulder.
With parched lips the man muttercd:
AT least we die togcthcry
A wild scream ran through the pail
( grass smoke. Old Tom on the river
ank heard it: "1d,os, cars nSc, one .
lone may be savcd!s
The clinging arms relaxed; relieved
{ tho woman's weight, tho horse
prang forward.
For second her figure stood haloed,
8 her hair and light garments blazed
pward; then tho swirling billows !
hut out the terrible picture.
Jake Ringer covered his eyes and :
III forward on Generals neck. He
i'd not know that his hair was sinQed | /,
nd his clothes already smo1derin9 Is !
Is horse plunged into the Brazos. He
Id not know that his comrades lifted !,
inn gently upthc opposite bank Is tho !
re swept to the waters edge and died
~, es11lnv, ao~1~r~.. "a