Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1917-01-26

! home.
But which of the men held the key
| to her heart?
Really she could not tell, but she
grew drowsy making herself believe
she would be able in any event to
compel her mind with it's power of
! judging wisely to control her heart
Toward midnight she was aroused
by a strange pungent smell pervading
her little room. Her breathing was not
quite free. What could it mean?
She lay for minute dazed, yet with
what sense she could command, trying
to discover the cause of the Odor that
was gaining in strength and sitting
power.
Suddenly great crimson light illu-
mined the small window. With a
quick movement Rachel sprang from
bed, and as she did so there came to
her ears the rapid beat of a horses
hoofs on the prairie road.
Then she heard Dams voice burden
ed with awful import.
"Rachelw he called "Mr. Winton!
Get up! Get up quick! The prairie is
on fire!'
Father! Mothery' the girl called,
running to their bed. "Get up! Do
you hear? There is a big fire. Yes,
DAN" she called from the window as
she helped her mother to dress.
There's not minute to lose" South
ard called back. 1.-THE fire is sweeping
this way as fast as a strong wind can
bring it,
There had been no rain for three
weeks, and everything was as dry as
finder.
The Wintons understood the terrible
danger impending
Not only the cabin, but stock, crops,
even they themselves, were at the mer-
cy Of those leaping flames.
Bring the blankets, quick!' shouted
Southland. Obeying him instantly,
Rachel dragged every blanket out of
the house.
Dan had ridden his horse to the little
spring in the hollow and was rapidly
filing every pail he had been able to
find about the place.
Acting under his directions, the girl
mounted her fathers pony, and she
and Dan carried water for Mr.. and
Mrs. WintOn to wet the blankets, this
being their only means of fighting the
fire.
How they worked and fought! 1t
seemed as if the whole world was ar
rayed against them, and all the while
the moon looked down, cold and I'M
caring, while the fire swept fiercely on
ward until it caught in a row of dry
cornstalks that reached nearly to the
cabin. Here the battle must be fought
with renewed energy.
The smoke of the burning grass and
grain assailed their nostrils, scorched
their threats and blinded their eyes.
but with hands torn and blistered they
toiled on.
When the old couple fell back over
with the heavy wet blankets and work
ed side by side. Inch by inch they beat
back the angry flames.
Even in that terrible situation the
girl felt singular strength and cool
ness in working by SOuthard's side,
She felt that the enemy must yield to
such grand and compelling superiority.
When the fire attacked them from
another vulnerable point it was Dams
exhaustless energy that saved the day.
By sacrificing a patch of ripe grain,
through a prompt back fire, the foe
was met and made to recoil in wrath
full flames upon itself.
After a time the great body of the
fire swept away nc1thward, 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 their
last successful onslaught.
"Everything's safe now, Rachel" he
said huskily, starting toward his horse.
"Dan," she questioned, a queer chok-
ing in her throat, you are not going
nOw?"
He stopped and looked at her. She
had never appeared more beautiful to
him than now, with the marks of that
great fire battle upon her face and
tattered dress.
"All 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 his shoulder. How he trembled
under that touch!
II don't feel as if could bear to
have you leave us, Dan" There was
tender pleading in her tones.
1.-THE dangers over, Rachel" he re-
assured her, land 1 must ride all the
way to Westfeld before daybreak."
"Why to Westfield?" she asked.
Without a word he pointed across
the blackened prairie toward his claim.
Only mass Of smoking ruins mark
ed the place where his house and stable
had been. She understood.
you left all you had to come to us,
Dan," she said, with Sob "Now you
have nothing left. Without your help
everything here, even our lives, would
have been sacrificed. Oh, Dan, the light