A Prairie Fire 



were all making an almost despairing effort to 

 keep the fire from reaching the bluff ; for if this 

 , happened, we knew the man's shack and stable 

 were doomed. So hard were we at it that we 

 did not note the approach of a wagon and team 

 of horses until , a cheery shout greeted us in the 

 rear, and Harry and Sunny Jim joined us, each 

 with a wet sack, and looking roimd, we saw Bob 

 with several more wet sacks for our use, which 

 he had dipped in a half barrel of water they had 

 brought in the wagon. He too joined in the 

 fight, and thus reinforced, we stopped the further 

 advance of the flames ; but we were only just 

 in time. 



Now, however, by a determined and concen- 

 trated onslaught, we succeeded in cutting off 

 the flames from travelling northward along the 

 narrow strip that still remained between the 

 part already burnt and the edge of the little lake, 

 and the settler's little shack and outbuilding 

 were saved. 



Most of us flung ourselves down on an unbumt 

 part of the prairie to rest after our arduous exer- 

 tions, but hardly had we recovered our breath, 

 than the observant Harry remarked : 



" The wind is going round with the sun, boys, 

 and the fire is starting north round the other end 

 of the lake. Jump into the wagon, some of you, 



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