The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-01-16
WON FROM
THE FAHW E S
BY T. s. BREE N.
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Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicatel

Great forest fires had been numer-
Gus that spring in the mountainous
districts of northern Arizona. There
had been two dry years in succession,
leaving the country a veritabe finder
BOX. Added to this were the heavy
and persistent spring winds that would
fan a small spark into a raging hell in
a few hours.
The government officers and Iii e
riders were kept on a constant mo e
TO save the country from contiagra-
tion. The country was sparSely set
tied. Here and there, miles apart
where a small seep or spring furnished
them water, settler would sometimes
be found, deep in the woods. \ rough
err and more rocky country never lay
outdoors. Canyons split il up in all di-
rections; mesas were covered with
pine timber and on the rocky seamy
sides of the hills were thick cedars and
chaparral, making a tangled jungle
that even the old pioneers would oc-
casionally get lost in.
II was late in the spring when the
biggest fire Of decade broke out and
terrific gale. II marked us high as
SO miles an hour, falling at sunset,
seemingly to rest for the coming day
when it would break out again with
renewed force.
\ small camp fire left unattended
started the sea Of flame ON its journey
Of destruction. 4 heavy Wind was be-
hind it, driving il due north toward
the highest peaks of the mountains.
The government rider in charge Of
The district fought it for two days
with what help he could get from the
ranchers, but on the third day it broke
away from him He rode 10 the nearest
telegraph station and wired his SUI
perior officer for help. Help which
was 20 miles away, and soon a force Of
20 men was on its way rs fast as
horses could run. The driver rolled
and swayed in his seat, bracing now
and then against his seat-mate as
the four-horse team swung around he
sharp curves and over the rough road.
Smoke covered the whole country
for miles around; valleys were filed
with il, and great black clouds hung
over and hid the mountain peaks. As
far as the eye could reach there was
Ieapng, twisting, roaring sea Of
flame. As he night wore on, the
smoke settled more closely to the
ground and shut out the moonlight,
adding more to the awful beauty Of
the wild scene; giant trees blazing
from root TO the topmost branches
gave ont their spectral, shimmering
light, which seemed to gain in size I'M
til they appeared many times their ac-
tual size and height.
Above The din and roar came the
occasional boom Of a distant tree as it
crashed down into the canyon below
upon he rocks; up steep mountain
sides the flames rolled and cracked,
darting here and there, licking up ey-
eryt hing in its reach; the wind whirled
II here and there; boiling smoke rolled
close 10 the ground, covering the men
and choking them until they were
itdi ~ Ell an SIth' INV diil ltitH NV y
would come stumbling out Of the black
smoke and stagger away to get their
breath Then after a few gasps ri
fresh air got by lying close to the
ground, back they would 90 again,
black and begrimed; beating the fire
out here chopping and cutting away
logs, fighting like fiends to stop the
spread.
Along toward morning, Charlie Lew
is, one Of the regular range riders o.
the district, came up 10 the officer In
charge Of the reserve, with an anxious
look on his begrimed and sweaty face
Captain" II amt mistaken, there's
: ranch over there in that draw about