34 PRAIRIES ON FIRE. 



" I've won !" exclaimed our hero. " Let's charge, and give 'em the very 

 devil!" 



The word went for command, and tlie four hunters dashed boldly towards 

 the terrified savages, who in turn Jled, with greater velocity than they had 

 called into exercise at any time during their advance, — illustrating the 

 truth of the saying, " tyrants are always cowards." Legs proved quite 

 convenient articles for the Pawnee braves ! They were out of sight in a 

 few minutes, and were very careful not to stop until they had left their 

 pursuers far in the rear. 



A Pawnee with a defenceless enemy in his power, like some examples 

 among the whites, is unrivalled in courage and daring ; but where there is 

 resistance offered, and fighting to be done, he, as well as the Irishman's 

 chickens, " comes up missing .'" He is always bravest when farthest 

 from danger. 



We were careful to observe the strictest vigilance at night, to prevent 

 the loss of horses from lurking bands of Indians. The animals of the 

 caravan were uniformly picketed in compact order, and sentinels, posted at 

 suitable distances, continued to pace their rounds, from dark till daylight; 

 while each of the company slept by his arms, in readiness at any moment 

 to repel an attack. 



Having travelled for seven successive days, we made camp late in the 

 afternoon at the head of the right fork of Blue. 



During the day we had noticed a dense smoke some distance in the 

 rear, but, with the wind in an opposite direction, no uneasiness was felt on 

 that account. The sentries were soon at their posts, and everything was 

 snugly disposed of lor the night. Those not on duty improved the oppor- 

 tunity to gain respite from the fatigues of the day, and, in a brief interval, 

 were snoring away at an admirable rate. 



The polar-star by its " p(nnter3 " had just told the hour of midnight, 

 when these hurried words rang through the camp : 



" Lave, ho ! Lave !* Prairies on fire ! Quick — catch up ! catch 

 up!" 



This startling announcement instantly brought every man to his feet; — 

 and such a scene as now met the eye ! How awful, and how grand ! The 

 wind, new changed and freshened, to the right and rear, was tossing the 

 flames towards us, rapidly — lighting the heavens with their lurid glare, 

 and transforming the darkness of night into a more than noon-day splen- 

 dor! 



Here was, indeed, an " ocean of Jlame /" far as the eye could reach — 

 dancing with fiery wavelets in the wind, or rolling its burning surges, in 

 mad fury, eager to lick up every vestige of vegetation or semblance of 

 combustible that appeared in its way ! — now shooting its glowing missiles 

 far, far ahead, like meteors athwart the sky, or towering aloft from the 

 weeds and tall grass, describing most hideous and fantastic forms, that, 

 moving with the wind, more re:-embled a cotillion of demons among their 

 native flames than aught terrestial ! — then driving whole sheets of tiie 

 raging element into the withered herbage in front, like the advance scouts 



* " Lave " appears to be a corruption of the Spanish word levar, to get up, or 

 arouse, as from sleep. It is in common use among mountaineers. 



