The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-08-23

utF VI tHt pltc VI tuCks anu tODucu
himself TO sleep.
II was one of those "hot- t-wind"
days known only on the prairics. Like
furnace breaths the air came out of
the southwest. curling the blades OF
corn and whiting the morning.glory
vines that sheltered the cabin win
dows. lt.was the second day OF the
''hot wind"--"Therc win be ono more
aud then rain" said the farmers.
But NJ the Mnngold cabin there was
something besides the wind or possi-
Me crop failure to alarm the tired
mother. Mrs. Mangold looked out of
the window several times, marking the
closcncss Of the atmosphere, but she
saw nothing In TIM hazy sky TO
frightcn her At mid-nftcfnoon she
became msrc uneasy and went out Of
doors To the south Of the house.
For an instant II seemed that all
her strength would leave her; her face
polcd and she gave u dcspairing cry
for help. |.
Extending in long line from east
10 west and driven by the fierce wind
came ribbon OF fire that ate up the
dry prairie grass and was bounding
forward ns " rejoicing In it's freedom.
II was mile away--was there time
To escape?
To the barn and sheds she ran, call.
ing Rob! Tad! Link,'
Not voice answered. Wild In her
terror, she returned to the house,
seized few keepsakcs and again
went out OF doors. Where could the
boys be?
The grannry! To u she hurried and
her cry rang through the building
"Oh, Rob. Tad! Link!"
Slcepily, Link answered from his
bed on the wool sacks, "What you
want?"
In an instant his mother wns by hii
side, almost carrying him TO the open
mir.
"Whcrc where nre the boys?"
"Sailin' tn white Dove"
Link was almost AFRAID 20 tell les,
he should lose his promised ride. bu,
the look In his mothers face decided
him.
"Whcrc-what do you mean?"
He pointed toward the north. Sh,
could see two small forms standing OF
the low ear, struggling with n flap
ping cloth, evidently too large fol
their strength.
"Comc!" and half dragging the roly
poly Link. she raced over the pair
toward the track. The fire line hnt
swung In an irregular course. and
whiic IL skirtcd the bluffs In one di
rection and was dying out in the shor'
grass OF the hills behind which the me,
were working, IL blazcd more fierccl,
than ever to the southeast and east
She could not find safety In any di
rcction but to the north. Behind tn,
frightened mother the flames lcapc,
glccfully,
Rob and Tad, toiling with the nm
wieldy sail had not noticed the fire
nor did they see their mother unit
she was by their side. Then they start
ed guiliily.
1--WE ain't hurtin' any" began Rob
but he glanced nt his mothers face, an,
all thought of excuses vanished.
Come, boys, run" she gnsped. look
Ing along the track. wondering " tn
narrow stretch of fresh earth woul,
save them.
She made n start for the ties. still
holding to Links hand. while Rol
spoke: Lets get on the car an'
you help us"
| "And sail a." added Tad.
II was n new idea, but the Quckenc'
wits OF the woman grasPcd II. Lift,
ing little Link to the splintcr-co,rrc,
platform Of the car. she helped Rol
with the sail. while Tad clnmbrrc,
| aboard
With her assistance the heavy cross
piece and Its burden of bagging wa
hoisted. Then each held u lower cor
| ner OF the cloth. while with the ho
wind, heated more intensely by III,
blaze few rods away, filed and bulge,
and strained.
Rob slid to the ground and pushc,
the car until II was under way. ThcI
to his seat. Glory! The wind wa
carrying them faster faster faster
| HohoN'HH " riougu, tut HTt UUu TUl
ahead In places, and now bluzcd ol
both sides Of the track n mile ahead
With pace increasing and with III,
ratiling wheels drowning all attempt
ut talking. they approached the fcr,
trail. Mrs. Mangold hid Links curl,
head In her dress and threw her aprol
over her own. But Rob and Tad brave,
II through like soldiers, scorning pro
lection.
| For an instant smoke blinded them
little darts OF flame were here and iher,
The sail was In danger. Rob and Ia,
lost courage and bowed their face
close to their knees: then they rnshe,
out into the clear air again, and tn
fire was behind -- one tall pillar q
smoke far away telling OF their cabit
homes destruction.
Swifter aud swlftcr whlrlcd th
wheels of the litil? ear, tighter clun,
the mother TO Links chubby form
Mrs. Mangold's hair streamed loose Il
the wind. The sail rounded beagti
Sfully. and they were pushed forwar,
lat rate that would have been drligh
under different circumstances, AM
even then gave Rob and Tad thrill q
pleasure.
Ten miles away was the village n
Manchester.
As they passed the little depot III
agent came out and waved his hand
frantlcally. Pecring under the sail 1
front OF the car, sure enough the
could see danger--ihc daily train fror
the north was coming!
Rob looked at his mother, She shou,
ed one word: "Jump!"
Rob and Tad tumbled of ON III
fresh earth on one side, while th
mother, clasping Link, went of the o, !