io8 North American Forests and Forestry 



members of the volunteer fire brigade get their 

 apparatus into readiness, although they doubt 

 whether it will be of much effect if the flames reach 

 the town. 



Down at the railway depot the telegraph opera- 

 tor sits at his instrument, " talking " to the people 

 " down the line," in the happy places far from forest 

 fires. He tells them that fires are surrounding the 

 village on all sides ; there is danger of the town 

 being reached to-night. Several small blazes, 

 caused by flying brands, have already occurred but 

 been quickly put out. Many of the settlers in the 

 surrounding country have come into the town, 

 after having lost all their goods. There is a ru- 

 mor that several persons have perished, but as yet 

 it is unconfirmed. Suddenly the clicking of the 

 receiver ceases the connection has been inter- 

 rupted, undoubtedly by the fire. Still he can tele- 

 graph by the other end of the line until that also 

 ceases. Now the village is cut off from all the 

 world, except, thank heaven, for the night train. 

 If that goes through safely, and the fire has reached 

 us by that time, a relief train can be up here by 

 to-morrow noon. 



As night comes, the flames in the distance be- 

 come more visible, and now it is seen that there 

 are fires on each side of the city. The fire on the 

 west threatens the greatest danger, for from that 

 direction the wind is blowing. On the east side 

 the road to the lake, two miles away, is open. 

 There is hard wood in that direction, until you get 



