A FOREST-FIRE. 229 



those he would otherwise most avoid. So it is, too, 

 with the forest animals and birds to-night. On 

 the poor things come, dotting along in what might 

 appear to a casual observer a most unconcerned 

 manner. Those who are familiar with them know 

 better. They are almost stupefied with terror. 

 Blackened with smoke and parched with heat and 

 thirst, we rush on ; for the fire has taken a direct 

 course for the hamlet. There it will be met by a 

 reserve force ready for action. The horns have long 

 before given warning in which direction it is coming. 

 One homestead is in the direct line of fire; only the 

 paling fence surrounding the garden separates it 

 from the moorland. Here come the lads fifty or 

 more of them ; they are met by the force from the 

 hamlet. " Sharp's the word, lads ! " Over a hundred 

 men and boys cut and tear and carry the heath and 

 furze away from about the house to the line of 

 fire, which is now close at hand. More than one 

 youngster is caught up, bough and all, and brought 

 out of its reach. " Here it conies ! Look out ! Stand 

 back!" Shouts, horns, and shrieking whistles give 

 notice to any one who may be below ; and to make 



