286 PEAIEIE FIRE. 



conflagrations taking place till the end of autumn, 

 when they are generally caused by the carelessness 

 of travellers, or by the deliberate act of Indians, who 

 often take this means of driving off the game from 

 the country of a hostile tribe. 



Although we were some distance from water, no 

 danger was apprehended, as it required but little 

 experience to avoid accidents. The means we 

 adopted, and which is invariably employed, was to 

 set fire to the grass to leeward of our position. The 

 flames we had lighted soon increased, the blaze 

 spread right and left, licking up every particle of 

 vegetable matter on which it could feed, acre after 

 acre becoming denuded of all substances that burn, 

 thus presenting an impassable barrier to the advance 

 of the portion of the devouring element. Here on 

 the ground cleared by your fire, the traveller can 

 take his stand with feelings of perfect safety, and 

 if he remain as close up to the line of debarkation 

 that is, between the burnt and the burning grass 

 as the stifling smoke will allow, he will see animal 

 life under a phase never witnessed by the constant 

 dwellers in towns and cities. 



It is most curious to watch the conduct of horses 

 under such an ordeal, what different traits of 

 character and education each will exhibit. Thus 

 one will evince perfect indifference, apparently rely- 

 ing entirely in its owner's judgment ; another will 

 testify such fear as almost to be helpless and in- 

 capable ; while a third, intoxicated with excitement, 



