The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-08-09

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It was one of those "~hot-wind"
days known only on the prairies. Like
furnace breaths the air came out OF
the southwest, curling tne blades Of
orn and whiting the morning-glory
vines that sheltered the cabin win
dows. It was the second day of the
shot wind"-"There will be one more
and then rain said the farmers.
But at the Mangold cabin there was
something besides the wind or posi-
BILE crop failure to alarm the tired
mother, Mrs. Mangold looked out Of
the window several times, marking the
closeness of the atmosphere, but she
saw nothing in the hazy sky to
brighten her. At mid-afternoon she
became more uneasy and went out of
doors to the south of the house.
For an instant it seemed that all
her strength would leave her; her face
paled and she gave a despairing cry
for help.
Extending in a long line from east
to west and driven by the fierce wind
came a ribbon of fire that ate up the
dry prairie grass and was bounding
forward as if rejoicing in its freedom.
1t was a mile away-was there time
to escape?
To the barn and sheds she ran, call
ing "Rob! Tad! Link!'
Not a voice answered. Wild in her
terror, she returned to the house,
seized a few keepsakes and again
went out of doors. Where could the
boys be?
The granary! To it she hurried and
her cry rang through the building:
"Oh, Rob! Tad! Link"
Sleepily, Link answered from his
bed on the wool sacks, "What you
want?"
In an instant his mother was by his
side, almost carrying him to the open
air.
"Where-where are the boys"
"Sailin' tn White Dove"
Link was almost afraid to tell lest
he should lose his promised ride, but
the look in his mothers face decided
him.
"Where-what do you mean?"
He pointed toward the north. She
could see two small forms standing on
the low car, struggling with a flap
ping cloth, evidently too large for
their strength.
"Come!" and half dragging the roly-
poly Link, she raced oyer the plain
toward the track. The fire line had
swung in an irregular course, and,
while it skirted the bluffs in one d.
rection and was dying out in the short
| grass of the hills behind which the men
were working, it blazed more fercely
than ever to the southeast and east.
She could not find safety in any di-
rection but to the north. Behind the
frightened mother the flames leaped
gleefully.
Rob and Tad, toiling with the un.
wieldy sail had not noticed the fire,
nor did they see their mother until
she was by their side. Then they start.
ed guiltily.
"We amt hurtin' any" began Rob,
but he glanced at his mothers face, and
all thought of excuses vanished.
"Come, boys, run" she gasped, look
ing along the track, wondering if the
narrow stretch of fresh earth would
save them.
She made a start for the ties, still
holding to Links hand, while Rob
spoke: "Let's get on the car and
you help u.s."
sand sail it," added Tad.
1t was a new idea, but the quickened
wits Of tho yronoop r,,cpoJ - T:e4
ing little Link to the splinter-covered
platform of the car, she helped Rob
with the sail, while Tad clambered
aboard.
With her assistance the heavy cross
piece and it's burden of bagging was
hoisted. Then each held a lower cor.
ner of the cloth, while with the hot
wind, heated more intensely by the
blaze a few rods away, filled and bulged
and strained.
Rob slid to the ground and pushed
the car until it was under way. Then
to his seat. Glory! The wind was
carrying them Observation-Disclosures!
Following a slough, the fire had run
ahead in places, and now blazed on
both sides of the track a mile ahead.
With pace increasing and with the
rafting wheels drowning all attempts
at talking, they approached the fiery
trail. Mrs. Mangold hid Links curly
head in her dress and threw her apron
over her own. But Rob and Tad brayed
it through like soldiers, scorning pro.
lection.
For an instant smoke blinded them,
little darts of flame were here and there,
The sail was in danger. Rob and Tad
lost courage and bowed their faces
close to their knees; then they rushed
out into the clear air again, and the
fire was behind - n tall pillar of
smoke far away telling of their cabin
homes destruction.
Swifter and swifter whirled the
wheels of the little car, tighter chung
the mother TO Links chubby form.
Mrs. Mangold's hair streamed loose in
the wind. The sail rounded beauti-
fully, and they were pushed forward
at a rate that would have been a delight
under different circumstances. and
even then gave Rob and Tad a thrill of
pleasure.
Ten miles away was the village of
Manchester.
AS they passed the little depot the
agent came out and waved his hands
frantically. Peering under the sail in
front of the car, sure enough they
could see danger-the daily train from
the north was comingi
Rob looked at his mother. She shout
ed n word: "Jump!"
Rob and Tad tumbled off on the
fresh earth on one side, while the
mother, clasping Link, went off the 9TH
ar mona ho;nr po,,ob b,, "