The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-11-25

deep. and green slime lay along its
edges, but it was water, and it lay in
hollow, with rock walls on three sides,
while over it spread the green luxuri-
ance of great bay-tree. Louise drew
a long breath of thankfulness when
she reached the stream.
Here, 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 safe
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, l
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 comfortable"
The canyon was now sea of fire.
Great flames seemed to reach and
eclipse the pale stars overhead. The
heat was intense, and the showers of
sparks Kissed 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. Sand 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 a snake glided away
among the rocks. Louise wondered if
they would escape. SRs> 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. "The waters afre, 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 fat, Gracie," 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 minute passed before
Oracle exclaimed: 1.-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 its 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 little water in the
barrel. A few minutes work with her
saturated cloak sufficed to beat out the
fire.
''It's better than no shelter" Louise
remarked, as she dropped on the door,
step, utterly exhausted. "And their
bedding isn't all burned up, though
wouldn't give much for the things on
the roof; and don't think shall wear
this cloak to church again. / wish
was safe at home in bed; but thank God
the children are safe!"
There came patter of small feet
and shrill, wrathful voice. Johnny
had succeeded in freeing himself, and
returned in great indignation. iii
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 YEARLY into the sad
die when there came flare of torches
and lanterns over the western ridge.
She heard a 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 Pills voice, full
of distress. "She would have been per-
fectly safe where left her, and Prince
wouldn't run away. Whatever pos