Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-10


Few feet in front of his horse and
both were covered with burning
sparks. With a scream of pain the
little horse gathered himself up again
and passed in safety. BY strange
good luck, or by instinct of the horse,
he struck a trail that led him into a
road to the old mans cabin in the
draw. Here he dug his spurs vicious
ly into the horses sides and forced
him to the top of his speed. Straight
to the cabin he went, where he half
fell from his horse, burst in the door,
yelling as he did so to arouse the
sleeping occupants.
Williams and his daughter had
gone to bed, thinking themselves safe
from the fire owing to the wind driy-
ing it to the north and east away
from their home. Half asleep VIII
liams aroused his daughter, and while
she hastily dressed he broke into the
corral and secured horses. 1t was
but the work of a moment before
they We're on the return trip, Charlie
leading the horse with the girl, fol-
lowed BY the old man. Down the
road they went as fast as the horses
would carry them through the smoke.
Charlie had thoughtfully wrapped
the girl in a blanket before the start.
The flames swept so close to the
ground that it was impossible to fol-
low the road Williams was lost from
the two ahead a short time after
leaving the cabin. Lewis turned and
yelled, but his voice was drowned in
the roar To hesitate meant death.
The horse behind stumbled and fell.
In a moment Lewis was down beside
the girl and raised her in a half un-
conscious condition onto the saddle
with him and continued his heroic
ride.
Almost hopelessly he spurred his
staggering horse on; it seemed hours
to him. Then wrapping the blanket
tightly around the girl, for one more
desperate effort, he iabbed the cruel
spurs into both sides Of his tagging
bronco and plunged up a steep hill
side aud through the roaring flames.
He was nearly swept from his horse
by burning brands and partially
/ blinded as they struck him across the
face. As he reached the brow Of the
bin his horse stumbled and fell In
second he was on his feet, and with
/ the girl in his arms started again for
the outer edge Of the fire.
At last hope gone. blinded, weak
from his gallant fight, SCARED in a
hundred places, his face and hands
burned almost to a crisp, he fell ex.
/ hausted with his burden. He had
reached the limit Of human endur'
ance. He had hardly fallen when he
heard a familiar voice near at hand
yelling to his men;
"Cut away that log, men! Heavt
/ 1t into the canyon below"
Help, cap; help, quick, he man
aged to scream, and in less time thar
the telling takes Lewis and the CIR
were whisked from the sea of flames
| with willing hands. In a short tim'
the girl recovered sufficient to tel
the story Of the wild ride, but Levi.
| remained unconscious for days.
A search was instituted for tn,
missing Williams as soon as il wa
| possible to do so, but it was week
afterward that his charred remains
were found beside the bones of hi
faithful horse. He had wandere,
around in the fire until both wer'
suffocated.
Except for the effects Of the smoke
Mabel Williams suffered no III effects
from the ride Charities forethough
in wrapping her in the blanket ha'
saved her from burns.
The man seemed remarkably wei
content with his nurse during tn
time his burns were healing. On
day he said to her:
II think I'd ought 10 have 10 pa.
for that horse and saddle. Mabel
mighty good horse and double cincl
saddle, too"
81 don't think you should haT
more than you can carry, Charlie
on a warm day, anyhow
ouch May. that's my sore arr
thar / got foolin' round in the fire
youth have to hug me on the othe
side"
And pay for that horse and saddl
Is a standing Joke between them yet