A BEAR ON FIRE. 15 



before, but we soon found the whole force 

 plowing ahead through the dense brush 

 and over fallen timber on a double quick. 



Then we heard low, heavy thunder in the 

 heavens. Were they running away from a 

 thunder-storm? The English artists, who 

 had been doing India and had come to love 

 the indolent patience and obedience of the 

 black people, tried to call a halt. No use. 

 I shouted to the Indians in their own 

 tongue. "Tokau! Ki-sa! Kiu!" (Hasten! 

 Quick! Quick!) was all the answer I could 

 get from the red, hot face that was thrown 

 for a moment back over the load and 

 shoulder. So we shot forward. In fact, 

 the horses now refused all regard for the 

 bit, and made their own way through the 

 brush with wondrous skill and speed. 



We were flying from fire, not flood ! Piti- 

 ful what a few years of neglect will do 

 toward destroying a forest! When a lad 

 I had galloped my horse in security and 

 comfort all through this region. It was 

 like a park then. Now it was a dense 



