The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-06-25
CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE.
Dreadful Experiences Of rxplorera In
Burning Timber In Hudson
Nay EeRion.

A geologist who explored with two
companions o region on the western
shore of Hudson bay had an experi-
ence in forest fire which could
hardly be equaled in scope and fierce
ness farther south, where the woods
are broken by settlement. The men
had pushed far to the north OF Port
Nelson into a land inhabited by tribes
of Indians, where no white man had
left trace, relates Youths Conn
panion.
1--WE had crossed the mouth Of
stream, he says, which forked twice
some distance from where II opens
into the bay, making two long, mar
dow deltas. BY sundown we had gone
a mile or so north OF the upper
branch. The air grew hot and dry.
The light In the western sky was
more dense and solid than that Of the
sunset, and IL extended round TO the
north beyond the range Of the set
ting sun. We knew that II was hre'
and halted on rising slope, where
we could get broad view OF the
sky.
"The wind was from the northwest,
and the FIRE must be coming straight
toward us. In the hope of reaoning
one OF the dcltas OF the stream which
we had crossed about q mile to the
south, we turned back and walked
for our lives.
"we reached the upper branch OF
the stream before the fire overlook
us, crossed Il, and sat painting on the
southern shore. The sun had set,
and the FIRE marked its limits In
wide sweep covering the northwest.
"As we sat waiting, the bush across
the stream craclsled ard five or six
deer broke from the woods and stood
on the bank, shifting.
"The air grew dense. A dull roar
like a distant surf was blown to us
from the north. / climbed halfway
up small tree, and then ] saw
sight. Perhaps five miles away came
a FIRE, sea OF red fame under a wall
OF smoke that rolled on In advance.
Before descended from the tree
the smoke was on us. One of my
companions, noting that the trees on
the delta were of smaller growth,
thought we were safer on the lower
delta, with two strips Of water and
an island between us and the fire.
So we moved on a few hundred yards
10 the next mouth Of the stream.
eve were wrapped in smoke. The
roar Of the fire grew like storm.
We waded into the water, took of
our coats, and wrapped them wet
about our heads. Then we noticed
that we were not alone. Round us,
only few yards away, stood groups
of horned creatures. Behind us a
black shape lay in the water, evident
" bear. The danger had made the
whole world kin. and fear Of the com
mon enemy had made all the driven
animals tame to each other.
Ashes and cinders settled over US,
and We bowed our heads close TO the
water. The heat grew intense. Then
with a stride the fire burst over the
northern bank We waded 20 the
south shore and waited. Our coats
grew hot on our heads. and we
'ducled' again and again. ! turned
and looked at he fire. II mounted,
! should say, more than a hundred
feet and leaped across the stream,
which was fully 200 feet wide. I'M
der that leaning bank of flame we
crouehed IN the water. which grew
tepid, and was foul with the count
less animals that for miles up were
seeking shelter in Il.
at was impossible for us 10 push
on to the next stream. We were
dazed and parched, and II the fire
Ieaped this stream II would have
caught us IN the woods.
Suddenly raised my head, and
INV the flames like clouds Of fre leap
over our heads and seize the tops OF
the trees on the southern bank The
Are had jumped the stream.
"For an hour we stayed In the wa
ter. waiting for the fire TO burn out
on the northern shore. A great
weariness and stupor weighed us
down. Presently we felt the air
grow clearer and cooler. II was rain
Ing, and we dragged ourselves to the
northern bank, where we lay with
our noses close to the baked earth
and slept.
"Afterward We learned that the
Ere had ruined a stretch Of timber
500 miles long and rs miles wide, o
tract rs long as from Boston 10 Buff
falo, and half as wide again as the
north.and-south breadth Of Massa.
ehusetts."
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