Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-08-31
No. 25
18th their bows and arrows.

Dannie and Marie were soon run
ming with the boys and girls to the
trees that had been tapped, and help
ing to carry the little buckets when
they were full, and all were glad to
look on, or occasionally take part in
the work. Towards evening the trad
er said it was time to return to the
post, but Marie and Dannie wanted to
stay at the camp few days, and as
Marie's squaw-mother was there too
he left them in her care.
Night drew on and darkness began
to enshroud the forest, but the fires
were kept up and the work continued
until all the sap that had been gather
ed up to late hour had been put into
the kettles, the contents of which,
when sufficiently boiled, were put into
small wooden molds, to thicken- and
harden.
, Dannie and Marie enjoyed the nov
city of the scene, the fire light partial
ly illumining the forest around the en-
campment, while dusky figures moved
to and fro in the glare, and the chill
dren ran hither and thither frolicking,
the buckets were full. The squaws
did not pay much attention to the an
tics of the youngsters, and some of
them gathered large pile of dry
leaves around the tall stump of tree,
and set it on fire. 1t blazed up fierce
ly and they danced around it as they
had seen their fathers, the warriors,
dance around the torture-fires, yelling
at the top of their voices, and throw
ing sticks and stones at the stump,
representing captive in the flames.
AS fast as the fire died down fresh
supply of leaves and twigs was piled
on, and the sport continued until
sudden gust of wind began to scatter
the burning leaves and twigs far
along the ground, and the stump, blaz-
ing too, set fire to the lowest branches
of a tree near it, and in a short time
|
fire. Famed by the wind which for
tunately blew the flames away from
the encampment, an incipient forest
fire was soon in full blast, roaring like
furnace, and sending up huge vol
umes of smoke that entirely obscured
the forest beyond. The children help
lessly looked on frightened at the re-
suit of their sport, and the squaws
were hastily getting things together
and preparing to go back to the viii
| lage when some of the hunters arrived
and at the same time the trader and
his men, Dannie having quickly run
to the post and given the alarm.
rQuickly they got to work, telling trees
that were in the path of the confagra-
ton, until, aided by heavy shower of
rain and an open space along bend
of the stream that ran near the village
they succeeded in checking the pro-
gress of the fire. Morning dawned
while they were still at work, and
showed the scorched and blackened
limbs of some trees, and others still
covered with glowing and smoking
embers, while all the dry leaves on the
ground had been licked up and con-
sumed by the flames. When they were
sure that the fire would not spread
farther, at least in that direction, the
trader and his men returned to the
post taking Dannie and Marie with
them.
"Well, petite said the trader, "you
had much fear of de fire."
"Yes, Mr.. Volange," she replied, II
was afraid it would burn up every
thing"
"If dat good rain not have come, it
could to burn yet" he declared.
"I'm so glad God sent the rain; but
you all had to work so hard, you must
be awfully tired"
"Oui, ma petite; it vas hard work.,
but so it is ven dere is fire."
"You are tired, too, Dannie," con-
tinued Marie, taking his hand.
"Not so very," he answered; II did
not do very much"
"Dannie work like man; he vas
good help" said the trader.
81 think you ought both to take
good rest" affirmed Marie.
"Dinah mus gif u.s. good breakfas',
Marie, an den We res, maybe"
When they arrived at the post Dan
| nie's mother and the two sisters were
anxiously waiting for them and eager
to hear all about the fire, and Dinah
did her best to refresh them with
substantial repast.