The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-01-28

away Oh ill SUES. save IHaU OF IN:
river.
1t was black lis ink, long, low, level
and, even as he looked, spreading an,
widening with marvellous rapidity.
Good heavens" he exclaimed Il!
! there a tornado coming? Such cIou,
as that | never saw before; and bark
hear the wind coming before it now
What II low, sullen roar. | had hes
get ont of the woods, or some of the
trees will be down on me.h
Swiftly lie began to retrace hi.
steps down the hill, looking back now
aud then TO note the rapid advance o.
the fearful looking cloud, for there
was something about it that puzzled
and awed him.
There had been a high wind al
day, and now it was higher than ever
but even that would hardly account
for all the peculiarities of this low
black cloud, which kept, strangely
enough, upon one side of the river
for he could see the clear sky, and the
sun shining Oh the opposite side, d
mile away-only now IA light haze be
gan to creep over the water.
A iercer gust of wind, a louder roar
and rush behind, mingled now with
another sound, as of cracking, and a
smell Of bush wood burning, and then
Robert, with sudden conviction leap.
ing into his heart, sprang up into Il low
branching tree, aud looked back over
the country behind him.
a single glance was enough. Down
again he leaped, with blauched cheeks.
The whole country is on fire, and
nothing can save the town, with its
wooden huildinssm he gasped, as
throwing his rifle away, he rushed at
full speed down the hill.
As he approached the town lie
could hear the shouting OF the terrified
people, who now saw the swift-com-
ing destruction of their homes-for
it meant that and nothing short of it,
Nothing could check the advance OF
that onrushing smoke and flame.
Robert ran for his life, painting and
almost suifocated by the dense smoke
that swept down the hill. The dry
grass caught fire here and there far in
advance of the demon horde of flames.
The young man did not make for
the river, though that was the near
est and only safe point. Instead, he
rushed on toward Mr. Wetherill' 5
dwelling, mindful only of the charge
his love had laid upon him.
If ever Lena's father should need
help, it was surely now. His home
was the first in the direct track of the
advancing foe, and nothing could
save it from destruction, for its out
buildings abutted almost upon the
burning forest, the grass around them
was dry end crisp. and all around
about were scattered trees and out
buildings, ready TO feed and carry on
the flames.
1t was all doomed, every stick and
tree, and nothing but flight could
save the inmates of the house. But
Lena's father, the feeble old man
whom she had left in his charge, was
there, and therefore in imminent
danger, Robert knew, just as he knew
also, that the servants bore the old
man no little affection, and would not
risk their own lives by seeking to save
his.
Sonow the time had come for Robert
Dean to give account of the charge
coniided 10 him.
II will be faithful, SO help me
heaven ~ he vowed.
And rushing up 10 the house, he
found, as he expected, that its master
was there alone, helpless and deserted
by the servants, standing upon the
steps in paralysis Of terror rs he
noted the flames leapiug down upon
hila.
Come, sir, l will save you, God
willing" exclaimed Robert. Il am
strong and you are light. 1t is only Il
little way to the river, and the fire
has not cut eff our way TO it yet. Once
we reach it, your little boat will save
Us.
Once we reach it,
All, yes, that was the point of doubt.
would they ever reach it, or would
the old man and the young man
drop down together, and nothing re-
main of them on earth but mass of
charred bones?
Several times, as Robert staggered
on, his broad back bending beneath
the burden he had laid upon it, lie
felt that this must surely he the end,
and his heart swel!ed in a great
wave Of agony and pity at the
thought of the terrible news that
would reach his darling-father and
lover both gone, and by such Il death
of torture.
The old man was light and fraii and
helpless with terror, so no frantic
strugg les impeded Roberts flight to-
ward the river.
The fire was close at their back.
The smoke was sutfUcating, the heat
intense. 1t was a race of which the
conclusion seemed fCregcnc, but Rob
ert Dean neither dropped his burden
10 save himself, nor yicldedto despair.
Courage. Mr.. Wetherili," he painted
courage. | see the CLEAN of the water
ahead now. "We'll soon be there."
Roaring with Il deafening, soul APP
paliing roar, that can only be realized
by those who have heard it, Oh rushed
the mighty mass of flame, leaping
over the ground, darting up the
trunks Of giant trees, catching hold OF
the +allest branches; then down again,
tearing along the level like 4 blood
hound.
But Robert Dean held steadily on.
with set features and sternly-closed
lipS-the river and safety before him,
if alone, flames and death behind him,
hampered by the wight OF the man
whose life stood bet yeen him and all
of Joy OH earth.
God help us" he prayed. Il will
be faithful to my charge. Clasp me
firmly around the neck, sir, he added
aloud. Not too close, though, l am
going to make a run forit. All ready
Nownh
Gathering up his last waning
strength, the stalwart young fellow
broke into a quick run. y lew steps
more and the margin of the river
where lay Lena's dainty little boat,
would be gained, and that meant
safety.
Rushing down the steep bank, amid
the trees and uuderbrush that grew
at the very edge, he placed Mr.
Wetherill down upon the little wharf
and ran across it to unmoor the boat
a cry of despair from his lips. The
boat toward which he had struggled
at such fearful odds-their one means
of refuge-was gone! Some one had
been there before them.
Only an instant did he hesitate. In
the water there was no hope for his
charge for the shore at this point was
perpendicular and its depth ten feet
close to the margin.
CHANGING at the advancing line OF
flames, he ran up the bank toward il
and with desperate haste rolled down
first one short log, then another, whict
happily lay there ready to be split
into fence rails.
Rolling them to the waters edge he
darted back, and with the pruning
knife he always carried, cut away
several long withes of the wild grape
vines.
Grasping these he ran for dear life
and then, working as men only car
work when their lives depend on the
skill and swiftness of their fingers, ht
dashed the two together.
Pushing the rude little raft thu.
constructed out alongside the wharf
ne ulacal Mr Whntla rill nnnn Il