Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-10-20

while over it spread the green luXuri-
ance of great bay-tree. Louise drew
a long breath of thankfulness when
she reached the stream.
"IIere, Oracle, hold this youngster
moment. Now, Prince, come and be
tied to this tree. Poor old horsie, you
are nearly scared to death with all this
heat and rushing and roaring and
cracking round you. But you are snfe
here. Rocks and water can't burn, nor
this green stuff, either. Oh, you little
scamp!"
She was just in time to catch Johnny
as he broke away from Oracle. This
time she tore strip from his apron,
tied the restless ankles together and
set him down beside the pool, scream
ing, but unable to make more trouble.
There, now! Don't cry, Oracle,
didn't hurt him. and we are safe here.
Step close under the tree. Look at Bose
lying i'm the pool. He knows how to
make himself comfortable"
The canyon was now a sea of fire.
Great flames seemed to reach and.
eclipse the pale stars overhead. The
heat was intense, and the showers of
sparks Missed in the water and scorched
the ferns. Louise could see the thick
foliage of the green-bay shriveling in
the hot wind.
"But rocks and water can't burn"
she repeated desperately. "And this
heat can't last long
She dipped Gracie's wrap and her
own into the pool, but Johnny held
his so tightly and screamed so loud
that she had to let that go.
A frightened rabbit flashed past them
up the canyon, and snake glided away
among the rocks. Louise wondered if
they would escape. She dashed water
over Princes saddle and back, over her
self and the children. The heat was
terrible. 1t seemed impossible to live
except by lying fiat. She tried to force
Prince down, but he was too terrified
to understand or obey, and she had to
| drop down herself.
The flames seemed to shoot up both
sides of the canyon now, netting fiery
bower against the sky. The rain of
sparks made little Oracle, looking into
the mirror of the pool, scream in ter
ror 1.-The waters afire, tool" she
cried.
Louise tried to reassure her, but she
| found herself glancing up apprehen-
sively at the shriveling leaves of the
bay-tree. They would soon cease to be
any protection. Lie fiat, Oracle" she
ss:ai. and once more dashed water over
the children and horse. Then she
dropped, painting and exhausted, on the
verge of the pool, closing her eyes to
the foe she could no longer fight.
But scarcely a minute passed before
Oracle exclaimed: "The fires going
out and our house isn't burned! It's
just going to, thought"
Louise sat up. The dry grass and
leaves had burned out, the canyon was
comparatively dark and the shanty was
but just smoldering into blaze. The
wet blankets and rugs had protected
its roof, the great clump of callas and
vines it's sides; but these had been
dried out completely, and the last
| shower of sparks had accumulated. In
an instant Louise was speeding toward
| it, There was a little water in the
| barrel. A few minutes work with her
saturated cloak sufficed to beat out the
| fire.
Its better than no shelter" Louise
remarked, as she dropped on the door
step, utterly exhausted. ''And their
bedding isn't all burned up, though 1
wouldn't give much for the things on
the roof; and don't think shall wear
this cloak to church again. 1 wish 1
was safe at home in bed; but thank God
the children are safe!"
There came a patter of small feet
and a shrill, wrathful voice. Johnny
had succeeded in freeing himself, and
returned in great Indignation. "Tll
tell my mamma on you" he declared,
loudly. you b'oke door in, and you
dwag me off and you tie me up in de
fire. I'll tell my mammal"
'You're welcome" Louise said, dryly.
"You b'oke windows and burn house.
| I'll tell my mamma" Johnny reiterat-
ed, angrily.
Very cautiously Louise removed the
binding coat from her horses head.
She patted and soothed him, and was
about to climb wearily into the sad
die when there came a flare of torches
and lanterns over the western ridge.
| She heard woman sobbing wildly and
declaring she must and would go on to
her poor children, while men seemed to
be dissuading her.
Then Louise heard Phil's voice, full
of distress. "She would have been per-
fectly safe where left her, and Prince
wouldn't run away. Whatever pos
sessed her to go wandering off? Ben,
won't you go and see if she has gone
,home? l can't face them if she isn't
there"
so Phil" the girl called, 'Im here
all right. Is that Mrs. Wilson crying?
Tell her the children are all right and
the house is standing. Bose! Down,
sir Don't you know your friends ?"
for the dog had bristled and growled
| anprily at Phil's headlong rush down