The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1918-11-09

pered Amanua.
We've got or he returned grimiy
TITS three miles. IL it's an inch, but
Cherry has got to make t."
They were relieved after minute O,
TWO In this new road. The smoke had
not so completely filed 1t. But II was
rougher way, and the blackboard
bounced until Carolyn May cried Out
In fear.
They drove over little hillock that
raised them higher than the tote road
had done. Amanda clutched Mr.
Stages arm again and uttered half.
stifled "Ohl"
He shot a glance to the left. A
mass OF flame broke out In the wood
not far Off this trail--the top OF a
great tree was on fire.
"The wind is carrying brands this
way" muttered the man. "A dozen
new fires win be started. Well, gid-ap,
Cherry" and he seized the whip
again.
The horse was well spent now, but
ne was plucky. He tried to increase
his stride. A hot breath of wind came
rushing through the forest, bending
the branches and shaking the leafy
foliage The wind seemed fairly to
scorch the fugltives.
The roaring of the fire increased.
Through the more open woods which
bordered this path they saw the smoke
advancing In a thicker wall--and one
as high as the tree tops.
you've got to make II, old boy,s
muttered Joseph Stagg. and he lashed
the horse again.
The spirited Cherry leaped forward.
both the woman and the cAlld scream
Ing.
rs II far7 Is 1t fara" gasped Aman-
da In his ear.
TOO far for comfort. But keep your
heart up."
AS the man spoke. a blazing brand
swung through the air and came down.
right on Amanda's shoulders. Carolyn
May shrieked. Joseph Stagg brushed
of the burning stick.
Cherry mounted another small ridge
and then they clattered down into a
little hollow where there was slough
beside the road. The water was green
and stagnant. but 1t was water.
The man pulled in the hard-pressed
horse and leaped down. passing the
reins to Amanda. He whipped off his
coat and dipped II In the mudhole. He
drew 1t out dripping with water and
slime.
Look out, herei Have to shut your
eyesl" he warned his two companions
on the seat Of the blackboard. and
threw the saturated coat over Miss
Amanda's head. The dripping garment
sheltered Carolyn May as well.
''Now, good horsel" he yelled to
Cherry. leaping back to the seat. "Gid.
apr
The horse started up the slope. An
other swlrllng brand came down upon
them. Joseph Stagg fought II off with
his bare hand. His shirt sleeve caught
fire and he was painfully burned on
the forearm before he could smother
the blaze.
on Cherry's back. The horse squealed
and leaped forward at pace which
Mr. Stagg could not control. Maddened
by the burn, Cherry had taken the bit
In his teeth and was running away.
The man threw down the reins. He
could do nothing toward retardiDg the
frightened horses pace. Indeed. he
did not want to stop him.
His left arm he flung around Miss
Amanda and the child, and with his
right hai.d clung to the rocking seat of
.he careenlng blackboard.
The wet steaming coat saved the
woman and the child from injury.
Joseph Stagg had lost all count of
lime. The forest road might still! ex-
END ahead of them for mile. TO, all
ne knew. I
But suddenl- they broke cover.
Cherry still galloplng wildly. and
down an open ravine to the
.dge of a lake of sparkling water.
"Bless mel The lake! the lakeT
ioarsely shouted the man.
The walls Of the rayine sheltered
them from smoke and fire for mo-
but the brands still fell. Cherry |
had halted on the edge OF the lake, but
Joseph Stagg urged him on into the
water, flank deep. The shore was mar
row and afforded little space for
refuge. He lifted Amanda and the
child bodily from the seat and dropped
HEN into the water.
"we're safe now" he said hoarseiy,
IN himself, and holding Caro-
yn May and Amanda. "We've got wa
ter enough here, thanks be! Hang on
20 ne. Mandy. I'm not going to let
you get away--no more, never! J!
And by the way N which the woman I
,lung to his arm II was evident that
,he did not propose to lose him.
MY. Uncle Joe! You are Just the
lrayest manw declared Carolyn May
hn |