Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-10-18


Backnlirg was Impossible. for the
wind came up the cleared road from
the muskeg with hurricane force. VIII
ton posted his men along the near side
OF the way. 90 beat out the patches Of
flame that would spring up from the
burning brands carried over IL by the
wind.
The cOnfagration came roaring
down on them before many minutes
had passed. II seemed 10 gnther force
as II advanced. The smoke was sti-
ding. They could see one another
only dimly In the swirllng fog.
The line Of fire shot through the
cracking ferns and underground be-
fore them. and reached the edge of
the cleared way. Then the workers
found themselves surrounded with
ring Of flame. The trees and grass
were allght behind them And along
the muSkeg edge the confagration Ind
thrust out gripping tentacles Of flame
that edged round and In toward the
engine-Sheds.
Shouting TO those nearest him 10 fol
low. Wilton ran down toward the
swamp. But when the grade came
into sight he saw something that
caught hls cry and killed u on his lIps.
OF sudden hts veins seemed 20 run
ice for blood. The fire had caught the
trestllng and vas running along the
timbers. eating its way toward the
east hank.
But what made him catch his breath
and clench his dSts was this: the fire
was moving eastward and yet IL could
not have started on the west bank. for
here the trestling was completely hid
den under the foundation. over which
the flames could not pass. The fire
had started In the middle OF the mus
keg. and had been started there Of
design.
II was the end Of everything. Big
MuSkeg would remain unSpanned after
all. when Bowyer assumed control.
The engine-houSes were fire-red ru-
ms. belching up "A black, sticky smoke
that clogged the fighters lungs and
settled IN fine particles Of black dust
au over them. Drums OF oil and gaSO-
line exploded with the salvoes ~ mr.
rUery. shooting up streamers OF flame
sky-high. Rivulets ~ fire broke forth
and streamed through the camp.
spreading the destruction.
The encircling arms of the conha-
grafton had thrust their fingers all
about them through the forest, which
was abluZe In every direction. Bur
In the open space itself the fire had
been stayed, though hardly anything
was left except the kitchens and
bunk-houses. The sheds and engine
houses had gone up in few minutes.
and now glowed fiercely with an in
tense heat. hut without flame.
The fighters had done all they
could do. and that was nothing They
could do nothing more now. except TO
guard the bunk-hOuSes from the rivers
OF blazing oil. Wilton found a few
men and told them 10 take spades and
| throw up mounds along the courses OF
| these torrents. In order 10 divert them.
The Hunkies. mad with drink, gath
| cred IN clusters at the doors Of the
bunk-houses and jeered at the men
who fought 10 save them; and these,
| too disconSolate 10 care, having ut
last secured the remaining structures,
flung down their spades and drew out
Of their way. Everyone knew this was
the end.
out OF the smoke came the figure
neer. His hair was crisped like a ne
gro's-he was as black. and the tears
had furrowed white channels down his
cheeks.
ats all gomez he shouted. "Noth-
ing but scrap-iron and junk. Wen
have a bargain sale" He recognized
Wilton and seized him by the arm.
''who set that blazer" he screamed.
MAN. there was gasoline, gallons Of
IL. soaking the shefs before ever the
| fire come there. lacy were soaked
with Il. Who did a.? Show me the
d-n skunk Z" he shouted, half beside
himself.
1T doesn't matter now" said VIII
ton.
MCGEE raved. curslng and sobbing.
and suddenly rushed away into the
smoke and was lost 10 view.
Wilton was making his way toward
his shack before IL occurred 10 him
that he would not find IL. Yet there
was the safe. He would stay guard
over that To his immense surprise,
however. he discovered that the shack
had escaped the confiagration. though
nothing remained of Kitty's but few
hlackened beams. A backfre had
been set successfully. The grass was
burned all about the place. and some
OF the timbers were scorched. but that
was all. The shack was an oasis In
the devastation OF cinders. Jules
ha1 stuck 20 his post.
Wilton knew there had been treach-
cry. He knew that Bowyer's appear
ance nj the portage had not been
chance. Bower had not driven miles
from Cold Junction by coincidence.
Wilton had no doubt that the fire was
OF his making.