Year: 1868

The prairies in certain parts of the
Southwest, during draught, some
times become as dry and parched as
tinder, and a fire once started among
them flies with the feetness of the
wind and the fury of the volcano.
Woe to the man or beast caught in its
path without the means of escape.


Some twenty odd years since, party
of three hunters were encamped in
small grove in the far Southwest. They
were on their return from Santa Fe;
but having had sharp running-fght
with party of Apaches, they had been
driven far out of their course, and had
now paused to rest their weary animals.


They were all expert marksmen, and
when the red skins turned back from
the fruitless pursuit, it was with such a
loss of their number as efectually to
cripple them and make the hunters feel
safe from disturbance.


Two of the trappers were brothers,
George and Ned Williams, whilst the
third was lifelong companion by the
name Of Parker.


They had kindled small fire, and
cooked a goodly sized piece of buffalo
meat which they had carried with them,
they were now smoking their pipes and
chatting and resting themselves.


DO you know, remarked Parker,
after several minutes chat on other
matters, that we've drifted into part
of the country where water is mighty
scarce?'


NO. Have you been here before ?
4 was here ten years ago, and had
just about the worst time you ever
heard Of For the best part of three
days | hunted for water without finding
drop. Ny poor horse moaned and
staggered until he fell down and gave
up the ghost, and l keeled over and
concluded that Tom Parker had had his
last hunt and got throwed at last But
just then, as the good Providence willed
it, l was found by party of traders,
and they poured about quart of whisky
down my throat and soon put me on
my legs again


That was during dry season, l
s'pose?'


Just about such a season as this
not bit dryer, and it's my opinion that
we had best get back on the regular
trail as soon as we can. Have any of
you seen any signs of water since we
commenced that race with the Apa-
ches 2"


4 believe you're right replied the
elder Williams I'VE are indeed In a
bad part of the prairie, and l believe
the only fluid among us is pint of
whisky"


That stuff will do for the men, but
the animals would make rather hard
work with it, laughed Ned.


yes; a man and hog, l believe,
are the only creatures that you can get
to take the stuff


Some time after this Parker rose to
his feet and began snufing the air.
Seems to me there is something that
smells strange he remarked haven't
you noticed it (?


'Yes,' replied George; 4 thought it
came from our fire.


Parker shook his head.


1T isn't that; l believe the prairie is
on fire.


His companions started involuntarily,
for they understood too well the mean
ing of such calamity. If such proved
the case they could save themselves by
the common resort of fighting fire by
fire : but the desolate, blackened prai-
rie. and the charred corpses of buffaioes
and wild horses, and the barren waste
that would be left, were sights which
they had no desire to witness, and me-
cessitated an experience on their part
which they all dreaded.


The three now walked out from the
grove to take a look at the horizon.
They scanned every portion of it in
quest of the dreaded element. At first
they could see nothing alarming, but
Parker was sure that away to the north.
west there was an unusual appearance
Of the sky. 1t had faint redness and