Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
By CHARLES S. PEARSON

est danger. 10y
atty that is sublime. and self sacrifice are
some dogs are justly entitled to be so
considered. Many instances recorded of
representatives of the canine race who have
proved themselves to possess, not the souls.
perhaps, but certainly the instincts. of true
heroes: and no more striking example could
be cited than that of the dog in the appended
story. This animal of indeterminate breed,
but undoubtedly of a superlative degree of in
telligence and fortitude, was instrumental in
preserving. under extraordinary circumstances,
the life of its master, Sias Fletcher of Franklin
County, New York. in the Adirondack Noun
tainS.
Forest fires were sweeping through that sec
ton, destroying many homes and menacing
the fact that the flames were approaching
perilously near his property, and unless the
most strenuous methods were adopted his
dwelling and barns would be consumed. The
house was located on bank of the Saranac
River with forest on the other bank, and this
was threatened. The fire was raging on the
mountain beyond a narrow valley traversed
by stream of insufficient width to check the
confagration. Fletcher enlisted such of his
neighbors as he could secure. and they started
to work across the river, clearing away under
brush, back burning. and even blowing up
the land to halt the flames.
Fletcher's dog had followed him, and he
strove to drive it home, remarking it was mo
place for dog anyhow The smoke drifted
down upon them. cinders filled the air. and
their ears were filled with the distant roar of
the flames, chanting their awful p9an in the
orgy of destruction. Leaving his companions
still laboring, Fletcher assembled little ridge,
crossed the summit, and made his way down
the other side. hating on rocky ledge to gaze
spellbound at the sight of the forest opposite
melting away as if by magic at the touch of the
devouring element, whose heat scorched his
face even then.
the direction of his homestead. Glowing en-
bers were waited skyward, over the tops of
the trees, and the fire swept down the noun
tain just across from him. Alarmed, he turned
to retrace his steps to the clearing he had
Quilted What was his CONSERVATION to dis
cover that the belt of sparse woodland through
which he had passed was afre. a Gordon of
flame extending between him and his home.
Caught literally between two fires, he realized
that his only hope lay in making long detour
down stream. thanking the burning brush.
AS he fastened to put his plan for escape in
operation he leaped from the rock edge di-
rectly into a stone Granny hidden by dry
leaves. His foot was wedged in tightly. and
the ankle Suffering excruciating agony, he
attempted to withdraw the foot. but could not.
and was forced to remain prisoner, with the
prospect of being roasted alive when the fire
should reach the trees above and round him.
Luckily there was no underbrush in his direct
vicinity, owing to the rocky nature of the
ground.
AS he lay suffering such physical and mental
agony as only one in his position could ex-
perience, his dog crept up to him, whining and
licking his face, as if aware of his danger.
Good dog 60 and get help!" he muttered,
waving his hands feebly in the direction of his
companions. Dimly he saw the dog start up
the ridge to the fire zone. through which it
must pass. barking and swapping at the blazing
brush as if it understood, and disappear.
Then Fletcher must have lost consciousness:
for he was aroused by men lifting him bodily.
as the hot breath of the fire famed his face, the
surrounding forest roaring like Niagara. He
was carried to the center of the stream. where
all found refuge and saw the trees fare up like
torches and drop their fiery branches on the
spot where the rescued one had lain.
From out of the very heart of the blazing
brush its hair cruelty singed away and one of
its eyes destroyed. it was ascertained later.
the intrepid dog had rushed to its masters
friends in its dumb fashion telling of the
mshap by tugging at their trousers legs with
its teeth, and frisking joyfully ahead through
the burned tract, when they followed to its
injured master.
FIGHTING AN ALLIGATOR
EQUALLY as heroic was the action of the
- dog playmate and protector of the chill
dren Of the Meecham family, in lower Florida.
The Meecham cabin was located on the edge
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