Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-18

wall on tne edSteIly Siuo VI A'o, -
Conway. These mountains were wei
covered with growth of pines, spruces ant
hemloclzs. The season had been unusually
dry, and forest fires had been raging in the
vicinity, SO that the air was hazy with the
smoke.
! was then about twelve years old, and, in
company with schoolmate of about my OWL
age, had climbed the mountain in search Of
blueberries; For guard we had Newiound
We had climbed well up the mountain side
had eaten our lunch, and devoted the main
part of the afternoon to filling our baskets
with berries. 1t was quite late when we
found ourselves near the summit.
as we tied the cloths over the tops Of our
baskets, to keep the berries from spilling,
Tets go up to the top, and take look at
the other side There's fire in the woods
over Chatham and Frryeb9rg way, and we'll
get splendid view of it from there"
Then we worked our way up the precipitous
ascent, and at last stood upon the very top.
1t was, indeed, a magnificent view, which we
had seen before, and gave but scant attention.
What interested us most was the fire in the
woods on the other side. There, sure enough,
was a magnificent spectacle, which just suited
our boyish fancy.
The fire, which extended over vast area of
woodland, had already reached and climbed
well up, the easterly slope Of the mountain
from the west, had blown the smoke from us,
and, while we supposed the fire to be miles
away, there it was raging furiousy right at
our feet.
81. tell you what, Will, it's mighty lucky the
wind doesn't blow the other way. Ii it did
we'd have to trot along pretty lively to get
out of the way of it," remarked Frank, as he
gazed down over the acres of burning forest,
from whence rose bursts of fame and dense
volumes of smoke, that. blown by the wind,
lnI J,aIo l.. Il
pail. ''Hello! Maybe it's going to change" he
added, as a sudden furry whirled the smoke
round and round, and rolled mass of the
pungent yapor up to the very summit where
we stood.
eyes, there it goes again!" answered, as
the wind gave another whirl, and another
cloud of smoke came rolling by toward u.s.
The best, thing we can do is to make tracks
for home"
''Well, then, here goes!'' said Frank, as he
took up his basket, and started down the
mountain. "You will have to run pretty fast
if you keep up with"
But here his Boosting was suddenly inter
rupted, for he stepped ON a small, round stone
and stumbled, partially recovered himself, and,
in his struggles, fell over the edge of the
uttering a loud cry of pain as he struck the
little patch Of earth at the bottom, and then
all was still.
Fastening down to my companion, turned
Hill over anu cdlleu ulIn ny nauej DuC sui
no word, no motion. Was he really dead?
What should do if he was? These questions
ran through my mind rapidly.
Perhaps Frank had only tainted, was the
thought that next occurred to me. had once
seen lady faint in church, and remembered
that they dashed water in her face. Possibly
there might be some left in the quart can that
we brought with US. I rushed to the top o.
the rock again. Yes, there was alfpint
Down l clambered, and, wetting my handker
chief, bathed his face. Presently he gave
sigh, opened. his eyes. tried to get up, and ther
fell back, with groan.
''Where are you hurt, Frank?" I inquired
anxiously, but, at the same time, overjoyed t.
know that he was still living.
81 don't know, but ] guess I've broken M!
ankle" he replied. ut aches awfully, and
can't move it,"
CRY and stand up Perhaps it isn't a
bad as you think" answered, as clasped M!
arms about him, and lifted him up.
But it was no use. He couldn't bear am
weight at all on the left foot, and even stand
ing on the other seemed to add ten-fold to hi
sufferings.
at Is no use, Will; I can't walk step
can't even crawl" he said, as laid him dow1