Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-05-17
He knew millions of feet of timber
must be blazing.


He decided to remain on the ridge
and study the course of the fire., SO he
lay down to rest Sleep came over him,
for the day had been fatiguirg one,
but at midnight he awoke. \ dull,
roaring sound was surglng through the
forest, and the air was sitting. The
fire had burned closer while he slept.
1t had reached the ridge opposite,
which was nearly parallel to the one
he was on, and was burning along its
northern base. The ridge fattened per-
ceptibly to the west, and already at
this point a single lone line of fire had
surmounted the blunt crest and was
creeping down into the valley which
interviewed. Presently tongues of fire
shot upward. The dark, nearer side of
the ridge showed clearly in the fierce
light, and soon the fire rolled over its
entire length, a long, ruddy cataract Of
flame. AS it gained the summit it
seemed to fall forward and catch fresh
timber, then it raced down the slope
toward the valley, forming a great red
avalanche that roared and hissed and
cracked and sent up vast clouds of
smoke into the night
Clearly any attempt to go farther
, north would be but waste of time
and strength. The fire shut him off
completely in that quarter He must
retrace his steps until he was well to
the south again. Then he could go
either to the east or west and perhaps
work around into the burned district
The risk he ran of capture did not
worry him. Indeed, he scarcely con-
sidered it. He felt certain the pursuit,
II pursuit there were, had been aban-
doned days before. He had a shrewd
idea that the fire would give people
something else to think of. His only
fear was that his provisions would be
exhausted. When they went he knew
the chances were that he would starve,
but he put this fear resolutely aside
whenever 1t obtruded itself. With care
his supplies could be made to last
many days.
He did not sleep any more that night,
but watched the fire eat its way across
the valley. When II reached the slope
at his feet he shouldered his pack and
started south. 1t was noon when he
made his first halt. He rested for two
hours and then resumed his march.
He was now well beyond the immedi-
ate range Of the confagration. There
was only an occasional faint cdor Of
smoke in the woods. He had crossed
several small streams, and he knew
they would be an obstacle in the path
Of the fire unless the wind, which was
from the north should freshen.
Night fell. He lighted a campfire
and scraped together his bed Of pine
needles and lay down to sleep with the
comforting thought that he had put
sufficient distance between himself and
the burning forest. He would turn to
the west when morning came. He
trusted to long days journey to carry
him out Of the menaced territory. II
would be easier travelling, too, for the
try ran east and west. The sun was in
the boughs Of the hemlocks when he
awoke. There had been a light rain
during the night, and the forest world
had taken on new beauty. But II grew
hot and oppressive as the hours passed.
The smoke thickened once more. At
first he tried to believe it was only his
fancy. Then the wind shifted into the
east and the woods became noticeably
clearer. He pushed ahead with renew
ed hope. This change in the wind was
a good sign. If 1t ever got into the
itself.
He tramped for half the night and
threw himself down and slept heavily
the sleep Of utter exhaustion and
weariness. 1t was broad day when he
opened his eyes. The first sound he
heard was the dull roar Of the flames.
He turned with hunted, fugitive look
toward the west. A bright light shone
through the trees. The fire was creep.
ing around and already enclrcled him
on two sides. His feeling was one OF
bitter disappointment; fear, too, min.
Eltl WIN IL. III Alc Npulll were utl
frieuds-Dannie'S enemies and his. OF
the east he had Il horror which the
study of his map did not tend to allay;
there We're towns there and settle.
ments, thckly scattered. Finally he|
concluded he would 80 forward ana O.
anime the Line Of fire. There might rt|
some means ry which he could ma
his way through it.
\ Journey Of TWO niles brought hlD
to a snail water course. The ti"e Wa
burning along the opposite bau. !
hla2cl among the scrub and under
brCsh and lcaped from tree TO tree.
first 70 shrivel their foliage TO n daaC
dry brown and then cnvclop them ia
sheets Of fame. Tic cracking wat
like the report OF muSketry.
Roger Oakley was Gwel 10y the sight
In soite OF the SmoEc and heat he sat
down on the trrH,, Of fallen pine q
rest. Some birds futtered out of tho
rolling masses Of smoke above his head
and few south with shrill cries Of
alarm. 4 deer crossed the stream. net
200 yards from where he sat. at sin