Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-09-18
CHAPTER XIV

There was no difficulty in following the
tracks. Mr.. Mercer had possessed near
ly a thousand cattle and five thousand
sheep, and the ground was trampled in
a broad, unmistakable line. Once or
twice Mr.. Hardy consulted his compass.
The trail ran southwest by west.
At nightfal there was a general un-
rolling Of ponchos, and soon afterward
only sleeping figures could be seen by
the dim light of the smoldering fire. Mr..
Hardy, indeed, was the only one of the
party who did not fall to sleep. Thoughts
of the events Of the last twenty-four
hours, of the best course to be adopted,
and Of the heavy responsibility upon him
self as leader of this perilous expedition.
prevented him from sleeping. He heard
the watch rouse the relief and lay down
in their places. In another half hour he
himself rose, and walked out toward the
sentry.
1t was a young man named Cook, one
of the new settlers to the east of Mount
Pleasant. SIS that you, Mr.. Hardy?"
he asked. as he approached. II was just
coming in to wake YOU"
What is it, Mr.. CookT'
1T strikes me, sir, that there is q
strange light away to the southwest. l
have only noticed it the last few minutes,
and thought 1t was fancy, but it gets
more distinct every minute"
Mr.. Hardy looked out anxiously into
the gloom and quickly perceived the APP
pearance that his friend alluded to. For
n minute or two he did not speak, and
then, as the light evidently Increased, he
said almost with a groan, 1T is what |
feared they would do; they have set the
prairie on fire. You need not keep watch
any longer. We are as much separated
from the Indians as if the ocean divided
u.s."
Cook gave the two short whistles
agreed upon to recall the other men on
guard, and then returned with Mr.. Hardy
to the rest of the party. Then Mr.. Har-
dy reused all his companions. Every man
leaped up, rife in hand, believing that the
Indians were approaching.
1--WE must be up and doing" Mr.. Har-
dy said cheerfully; 1.-The Indians have
fired the pampas.'
There was thrill OF apprehension in
the bosom of many present, who had
but this speedily subsidized at the calm
manner of Mr.. Hardy.
1.-The fire." he said, may be ten miles
away yet. | should say that it was, but
it is difficult to judge, for this grass does
not flame very high, and the smoke drifts
between it and us. The wind, fortunate
ly, is light but it will be here in little
over half an hour. Now, let the four
snuchos attend to the horses, to see they
do not stampede. The rest form q line Il
couple of yards apart, and pun up the
grass by the roots, throwing it behind
them. so as to leave the ground clear.
The wider we can make it the better"
All fell to work with hearty zeal. Look
ing over their shoulders. the sky now
appeared on fire. Pickering. tongues of
flame seemed to struggle upward. There
was an occasional sound of feet, as herds
of deer flew by before the danger.
How far will it go, papa, do you
thinkT Hubert asked his father. next to
whom he was at work.
Il should say that it would most likely
stop at the stream where we halted to-
day, Hubert. The ground was wet and
boggy for some distance on the other
side"
The horses were now getting very res
tive, and there was a momentary pause
from work TO wrap ponchos round their
heads, so as to prevent their seeing the
glare.
The fire could not have been more than
three miles distant. when the space clear
ed was as wide us Mr.. Hardy deemed
necessary for safety. A regular noise,
something between hiss and roar, was
plainly audible; and when the wind lifted
the smoke the flames could be seen run
ming along in an unbroken wall Of fire.