The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-12-25

u11b8 UWuys uuu HOUu y IOrCS VI ~ iucu
vHs On its way - fast ~ horses could
Iran. The driver rolled and swayed In
~ seat, bracing now and then against
lla eeat-mate ~ the four-h0rse team
around the sharp curves and
b rough road.
he covered the whole country for
around; valleys were filled with
great black clouds hung over
Ne mountain peaks. A. far az
Nd reach there was leap
coaring sea of flame. As
on, the smoke settled
the ground and shut
kht, adding more to the
4 the wild scene; giant
rom root TO the topmost
out their spectral. SHIN
N, which seemed to gain In
they appeared many times
tual size and height.
Ne the din and roar came the oc-
0hal boom Of . distant tree - II
IAAhed down into the canyon below
bOOn the rocks up steep mountain sides
fbe flames rolled and cracked, darting
here and there, licking up everything
Do its reach the wind whirled Il here
nnd there boiling smoke rolled close TO
kho gr0und, covering the men and
eh0king thesa until they were nearly
utfnuGled: now and then they could
eome stumbling out Of the black smoke
hnd otagGer away 10 get their breath
rhen after q few easps Of fresh air got
~ lying 20 the ground. back they
WUuld 10 again. black and beGrimed: !:
beatine the fre out here. chopping and
Eutting way logs. fighting like hends
u4n~> Ahn
A10ng toward morning. Charlie Lew
b. one Of the regular range riders Of
ne district. came up TO the oficer in
charge of the reserve. with an anxious
Oak On his begrimed any sweaty face.
"Captain. n ] Amt mistaken. there's
ranch over there IN that draw about
mile 10 the left. ] hadn't thought Of
befvf> but old man williams lives
here. Ae moved back there about a
month ago with HIS daughter. think
sometklng oughtcr be done TO see II he
lint got out Of there before the fire
runs onto him"
''fSnod God. man, no one could get
hrDugh this living he'll for . mile and
home ont alive. Unless," he added. half
10 himself. "unIes there happened to be
break In the flre line somewhere that
Split II around q canyon"
~Well. I'll tell you. cap. ~ you1l Jest
1T me try I may be able TO do some
hlng fer 'em. I amt worth q dam.
hollow. and Il won't hurt much II
1On't make II. ! know most Of the
k0untry like q faro layout. 10 does my
br0nc. II don't get through. cap
Rhy, it'll be the right Kind Of q start
ler me IN the next world, ennyhOw." !"
" aaid. with little deprecating laugh.
The cap. - he called him, grasped
kim BY the hand. mumbled something
bn6er his breath that sounded like
I'D fool" wiped something out Of
III eyes. and sald:
"weil. 60 ahead II you are bound TO. .
In short time Charlie had secured
bis little snre-footed beast, and soaking
Bis clothes with what water could be
pared from the drinking water in the
anteens he was ready for the journey.
As he spurred his horse down into the
hre. the men gave him a cheer. He
waved his big hat at them and was
One amidst the smoke and fsaling logs.
Frees and undcrgrCwt;, we're not thick
rd there were patches left here and
here unburnsd owing to the lodges of
ock and huge piles Of boulders.
He dug his spurs into the little beast
Snd down they went. into gullies. up
bver steep rocks. With Charlie laying
Hose 10 his horses neck-running
tumbling. all but falling at times into
he treacherous lights and shadows Of
blszipg wood. Orce pine came crash
mr. down a few feet In front Of his
horse and both were covered with
burning sparks. with a scream OF
aso fha 1lffle horac gathered hlrnseIt
n again and passed IL safeiy. By
NV. nsrs he dug his spurs viciousiy