Warren sheaf., 1899-10-26


while over it spread the green luxsuri-
ance of a great bay y-tree. Louise drew
a long breath Of thankfulness when
she reached the stream.
Here, Oracle, hold this youngsters
moment. Now, Prince, come and be
tied to this tree. Poor old hersie, you
are nearly scared to death with all this
heat and rushing and roaring and
cracking round you. But you are safe
here. Rocks and water cant 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 in the pool. He knows how to
make himself conf ortable. =
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 hissed in the aterand scorched
the ferns. Louise could sec the thick.
foliage Of the green-bay shriYeling in
the hot tEwind. s5i s;s sSss ,sa
''But rocks and water can't burn 4
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 ra bbit 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. It 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. s.s. s 81
The flames seemed to shoot up both
sides of the canyon now, netting a fiery
bower against the sky. The rain Of
sparks made little Oracle, looking into
the mirror Of the pool, scream in ter
ror. 'sThe waters afire, tool" she
cried. 5.S3 4
4 Louise tried to reassure her, but she
found herself glancing up apprehen7
sively at the shriveling leaves of the
bay-tree. They would soon cease to be
any protection. '..Lie flat, Oracle, ,"'';she
said, 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, thongh!" 3lsis .sa 3ss5
Louise sat up. The dry grass and
leaves had burned out, the canyon was
comparatively dark and the shanty.was
but just smoldering into a blaze. The
wet blankets and rugs had protected
its roof, the great clump of fcallas and
vines its sides;- but these had been
dried out completely, and the last
shower Of sparks had daccumulated In
an instant Louise was speeding toward
barrel. A few minutes work with her
saturated cloak sufficed to beat5out the
fire.
s'It's better than no shelter ? Louise
remarked, as she dropped on the door
step, utterly exhausted. s'And their
bedding isn't all burned up, though I
wouldn't give much for the things on
the roof; and don't think shall wear
this cloak TO church sag gain. Iwish L
was safe at home in bed but thank God
the children are safe! 4" -
There came a patter Of small feet
and shrill, wrathful voice. Johnny
had succeeded in freeing himself, and
returned in great Indignation. y .sI'll
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. II III tell my mamma!''
you're welcome, 2 Louise said, dryly.
You b'oke window 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 90 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
5sessedi her togo wand dering off? Ben,
won't you go and see if she has gone
home? I can't face them if she isn't
there z
20 Phil!" the girl called, I'm 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
angrily at Phil's head dlong rush down
the hill. &. 81
4 tsWhy in t,he world didn't vn11 Sfav |