Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-10
WON FROM
THE FhAM
BY T. S. sREEH.


Gus that spring in the mountainous
districts Of northern Arizona. There
had been TWO dry years in succession, /
leaving the country veritable 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 line
riders were kept on a constant move
70 save the country from confagra-
ton. The country was sparsely set
tied Here and there, miles apart,
where a small seep or spring furnished
them water, a settler would sometimes
/ be found deep In he woods 4 rough
er and more rocky country never lay
outdoors. Canyons split if up in all d.
rections; mesas were covered with
pine timber and on the rocky. seamy
sides Of the hills were thick cedars and
chaparraI, making a tangled jungle
that even the old pioneers would oc-
casionaHy get lost in.
II was late in the spring when the
biggest fire Of decade broke out, and
at a time when he wind was blowing
a terrific gale 1t marked as high as
60 miles an hour, falling at sunset
seemingly 10 rest for the coming day
when il would break out again with
renewed force
4 small camp fire left unattended
started the sea Of flame on its journey
Of destruction. A heavy wind was be-
hind e. driving FL due north toward
the highest peaks Of the mountains.
The government rider in charge Of
the district fought Il for two days
with what help he could get from the
ranchers. but on the bird day it broke
away from him He rode TO the nearest
telegraph station and wired his SUI
uerior officer for help. Help which
was 90 miles away, and soon a force Of
70 men was ON its way as 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 the
sharp curves and over the rough road,
Smoke covered the whole country
for miles around; valleys were filled
with ii. and great black clouds hung
over aud hid the mountain peaks As
lar as the eye could reach there was
leaplng, twisting, roaring sea Of
flame. As the night wore on, the
smoke settled more closely TO the
| ground and shut out the moonlight,
| adding more 10 the awful beauty Of
the wild scene; giant trees blazing
from root TO the topmost branches
gave out their spectral, shimmering
light. which seemed 10 gain in size un-
tn they appeared many times their ac-
tual size and height.
Above the din and roar came the
/ occasional boom OF a distant tree as II
crashed down into the canyon below
upon the rocks; up steep mountain
sides the flames rolled and cracked,
dartinr here and there, licking up ev-
ervthing In its reach: the wind whirled
il here and there; boiling smoke rolled
close rs the ground, covering the men
and choking them until they were
nearly strangled; now and then they
would come stumbling out Of the black
smoke and stagger away 20 get their
breath. Then after a few gasps OF
fresh air got by lying close TO the
ground. back they would go again,
black and begrimed; beating the hre
out here. chopping and cutting away
logs, fighting like fends to stop the
spread.
Along toward morning, Charlie Lew
lis one 81 the regular range riders Of
the district, came up TO the ofhcer u
lebarge 81 the reserve, with an anxious
llool, an his begrimed and sweaty face
"Captain," If I amt mistaken, there's
ranch over there In that draw about
mile 10 the left I hadn't thought
81 y before. but old man Williams
lives there. lie moved back there about
month ago with his daughter.
, mink something oughter be done 70
see II he amt got out Of there oeloIs
the fire runs onto him.
Good God. man, no one could ge'
,brouph this living bell for milt
sna come out alive. Unless he add
~ half 10 himself, unless there
h.npeued 10 be break IN the hr'
lin somewhere that split i around
: a canyon g., -,
, "Nen. III tell you, cap, Il you /
a., IL me try ! may be able 70 Is
, sor,etbinp fer 'em. I amt worth
/ soy, pobow. and it won't hurt mucl
ifT don't make il. ! know most 9
ne country like a faro layout s.
5oes my bronze. II / don &c
t through. cap-why it'll be the righ
: lipd 81 a start fer me in the mex
: world ennyhov." he said, with a lit
tle deprecating laugh.
The can. as he called him. graspe'
-, h, he hand. mumbled something
. nr5er his breath that sounded lik
4 ~ i fool" wiped something out Q
, his ewes. and said;
{ sWen. go ahead if you are boun'
! TO-" ma. "a :,