58 PRAIRIES ON FIRE. 



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

 devil!" 



The vvord'ivent for command, and tlie HyLir hunters dashed boldly towards 

 the terrified savages, who in turn jleJ., v/ith greater velocity than they hac 

 called into exefcise at any time during their advance, — illusirating the 

 ti'uth of tjie saying, " tyrants are always cowaids." Legs proved quite 

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

 few minute.^, and were very careful not to stop until they had left their 

 pursuers far in the rear. 



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

 among the white.?, is unrivalled in courage and daring; but where there is 

 resistance offered, and figliting 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 nigiit, to prevent 

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

 caravan were uniformly picketed in compa.t order, and sentinels, posted at 

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

 ^ vvhile each of the company slept by hi;^ 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 leit on 

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

 bnugly disposed of for the night. Those not on duty improved the oppor- 

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

 were snoring away at an admirable rate. 



The polar-star by its " pointers " iiad just told the liour of midnight, 

 when these hurried words rang tlirough tlie camp : 



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

 up!" 



This tftartlii'ig announcement instantly brought every man to his feet; — 

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

 wind, new diangcd and fresheiied, to the right and rear, was tossing t';o 

 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 ofJlameT far as the eye could reach— 

 dancin;2; with liery wavelets in the wnid, or i-oiling its burning ourgus, in 

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

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

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

 weeds and ^all grass, describing most iiiJeous and fantastic form?; that, 

 moving witli the v/ina, more rL.,cmble(! a cotillion of demons among thiif 

 native flames tiian aught terrestial ! — then driving whole sheets of the 

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



♦ " Lave " appears to be a corruption of the Spanish word levar, to get up, gi 

 wrouM, a« firom sleep. It is in common use among raoiintaineer3. 



