The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-06-02


ing her little room. Her breathing
Twas not quite free. What could i
mean?
/ She lay for a minute dazed. yet with
what sense she could command~tfyIRi
to discover the cause OF the odor thai
was gaining in strength and Sitting
power
Suddenly great crimson light illu
mined the small window. With 9
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed. and as she did so there came t.
her eyes the rapid beat of horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice bur.
dened with awful import.
Rachel" he called. "Mr. Winton,
Get up Get up quick! The prairie is
on fret.
Father! Mother.p the girl called
running to their bed, Get up! Do
you hear2 There is a big fire. Yes,
DAM she called from the window as
she helped her mother TO dress.
"Therds not a minute TO ioste,i
Southland called back. The fire Is
sweeping this way as fast as strong
wind can bring it."
There had been no rain for three
weeks. and everything was dry as tin,
| der
The Wins ns understood the .srrible
danger impending.
Not only the cabin. but stock, crops,
even they themselves. were at the
mercy of those leaping flames.
Bring the blankets, quick" shouted
Southland Obeying him instantly,
Rachel dragged every blanket out Of
he house.
Dan had ridden his horse he lii.
, ..e spring in the hollow and was rap
dy filling every pail he had been
able to find about the place.
Acting under his directions, the g'r)
mounted her fathers pony, and she
and Dan carried water for Mr.. and
Mrs. W.nton to wet the blankets, this
being their only means of fighting the
| fire.
( How they worked and fought. II
seemed as If the whole world was ar.
rayed against them. and all the while
the moon looked down. cold and un
caring. while the fire swept fiercely
onward until it caught in row of dry
constalks that reached nearly to the
cabin. Here the battel must be fought
with renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass and
gran assailed their nostrils, scorched
heir threats and blinded their eyes
but with hands torn and bis cred
they toiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
eome. Dan and Rachel took their
places with the heavy wit blankets
and worked side by side. Inche by inch
hey beat back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation the
girl felt Singular strength and cool
ness in working by Southard's side
lShe felt that the enemy must y.a!d to
such grand AMI compelling superior
lily.
When The fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point il was Dan:
exhaustless energy that saved the day
By sacrific 'ng a patch of ripe grain
through prompt back fire, the foe
was met and made to recoil in wrath
fu' flames upon itself.
After a time the great body of the
fire swept away northward. having
consumed everything Of the wintons
except cabin and stock.
With a thankfulness in their hearts
for the preservation of these. the old
couple entered the house and threw
themselves upon the floor.
Then Southland and Rachel came
back with weary. tagging feet from
her last successful onslaught.
"Eyerythhg's safe now. Rachel" re
said huskily, starting toward his
horse.
Dan. she anes toned. queer chok.
ing in her throat. you are not goinh
now"
He stopped and looked at her. She
had never Eeared more beautiful 70
him than now. with the mraks Of that
great fire battle upon her face and
tat;erel dress.
"Ai We have left we owe TO you.
Dan" she went on. noting his scorched
face. bleeding hands and burned cloth
ing.
Then she placed her blackened hand
on b $ shoulder. How he tremb!ed
under that touch.
Il don't feel as III could bear to
have you leave US. Dam" There was
a, tender pleading. in her tones.
sThe dangers over. Rachel" he re.
assured her. an dI must ride all the
way 10 westfeld before daybreak. "
"why to wesifie d. she asked.
Without word he pointed across
he blackensd prairie towrd bis
claim.
Only a mass Of smoking ruins mark
d the place where his house and
stable had been. She understood.
"Ycu left all You had to come to us
DAN" she said, with a sob. "Now
YOU have nothing left Without your
help everyih NC here. even our lives
would have been sacrificed. Oh. Dan
he light Of that fire has gwen me 4