Year: 1870

|


notice it, or imagine the FIRE was raging
with terrific fury in, the tall grass-some


twenty miles from the river. l therefore
did not think of danger, but allowed my
pony to follow the path which sup
posed would lead me across the bottom
in, safety. - 49,. II. -.


There was a strange stiffness in the
atmosphere-just after the lightning
fash and before the coming of the thun-
der; but this was coon broken by the
moaning of the wind in the parched
grass, and the signing Of the trembling
leaves upon the stately oaks and black
walnuts that skirted the river, as they
bowed on the increasing gale and wrest-
led with the angry winds Still L rode
on unconcious that. instead Of having ia
ken the trail to my right, ] had followed
the path in northeasterly direction,
which would bring me into the interior
of the prairie, but some ten miles south of
the point from which I wished to cross,
and nearer that, distance to the fast COM
ing fire. l now began to be thoroughly
alarmed at my situation, being wholly
unaware of my whereabouts, and unable
from the darkness around me to discov-
er the bluffs in the distance or the river
at my back. '' ''''' a--' '. -'.''i


quickly resolved to make a desper-
ate effort for my life, and the only course
saw open to me, was to follow the trail
which had led me so into the depths of
the prairie ,.r1t.'e- n.n,j aia73-3.


1t would have been madness to strike
out into the tall grass on either side of
me or to think of retracing my steps;
but l lost no time in considering my
chances of escape, and spurred my pony
forward to slight elevation. which now.
with the glaring light of the fire, gave me
a view of the country for miles. -ali laat


The picture was now appalling. The
whole heavens were in glow Of light
and the vast prairie was covered with
streams of fire-dancing upon the tall
grass and curling lividly up the heavens.
To the south, as far as could see, every
thing seemed to be convulsed in the
raging element; to the east and west
there one grand chain Of fire, shooting
and flashing and mounting higher, to be
lost in the massive clouds of smoke
which blackened the entire dome of
heaven. | now came to standstill. for
all hope of saving myself and pony now
fed, and | quietly watched the display
with an earnestness not 30 be imagined
l sat upon my horse and saw the flames
pass by me on the east (the road which
| had to gain, destroying everything in
its tract a-ti--a q, .ls .10strr lai


The moon had just come forth from
the half.broken clouds, looking paler than
ever before. '-fs --f .- --r .af a ri


The fire was now moving onward di-
rectly in front of me, and perhaps hun
dred yards in front of the moving column.
All hope of extricating myself and pony
now seemed in vain, for the flames were
on either side of me, around me- and
were fast closing me in a circle Of fire. fo


The heated air and dense smoke and
burning cinders rendered the atmosphere
almost sufocating. In front and rear
and all round me was wall Of fire.


There was not much time to be lost,
and pulling my Indian blanket carefully
about me, and taking care that 1 was
firmly seated in my saddled. l hurried
toward the Missing flames. / 10 oked to
the front, on either side and all round me,
but I coulp see no niche through which
| could dart. My attention was drawn
to my right for a moment and L saw
slight break in the crimson sheets, and
instantly 1 spurred my pony into the
flaming sea, A single stumble must
have destroyed US both. For an instant
we were baffled, and my pony shuddered
and neighed.and l thought it a hard fate
to be burned to death alone in wild
land ! But 1 plunged my spurs deeper
into his sides, and he made last desper-
ate plunge and fell upon his knees, but
raised himself and leaped and fell upon
the ground the fire had passed over.


My blanket was crisped upon my
back, and my legs and hands were Sc
verely burned. 1 soon relieved myself
of burning clothing, and turned to look
after my poor pony. who now lay upon
the black and charred stuble unabled to
rise. ose..


The brave animal had inhaled fire,
and he died in about a half an hour /
stuck the ramrod of my rifle at his head
to mark his last resting place.


I then made my way the best I could
to the bluffs, being guided by the light
of the distant fire-and at the first house
1 came to l was fortunate enough to get
horse to carry me to my destination.


Large numbers of deer and rabbit
were the next day, dead upon the black
stubble. .3nJ ph~ -T...f -' azf'- d


A large amount Of property was con-
sumed that highland many Of the set
tiers ON the hottnm lands lost everything