A Prairie Fire 



the little group of buildings, we saw Jack hitching 

 up his team of oxen, while his wife and children 

 were loading the wagon. 



It was necessary for us to bear a good deal 

 to the northward in order to reach the imperilled 

 family, and as the fire was now sweeping north- 

 ward, it gained on us rapidly, and by the time 

 we got to them, fragments of burning grass were 

 flying past us. Driven before the strong breeze 

 which was now blowing, they had crossed the 

 fireguard and ignited the strip of prairie within 

 a few yards of the bluff, while behind us, to 

 the eastward, our retreat in that direction was 

 already cut off. The homestead buildings were 

 obviously doomed, and, indeed, the position of 

 the whole party was perilous. 



The quiet but ready Harry took in the situa- 

 tion. " Jump into our wagon with the kids," 

 he shouted to Mrs. Jack ; while Bob and another 

 of our party leaped out and helped Jack to urge 

 his oxen forward with the wagon and the few 

 household treasures it contained. The smoke was 

 now nearly blinding us, while the heat was almost 

 unbearable. 



Mrs. Jack and the youngsters were in the wagon 

 and Jim had started the team again, when Harry 

 stopped him and shouted, " You'll never make 

 it, boys, and we can't leave you. Shut the stable 



