SEED— PASSING OF A PRAIRIE FIRE 373 



safe enough. But I never see closer thing to a 

 burn-out. Sure thing ! Sure thing ! " 



I went forward in the wake of my beasts, who 

 with unerring intuition were making for the fireproof 

 seed-bed, or the sloughs which were as islands set in 

 the midst of the blood-red sea of flame which was 

 devouring all that lay in its way to the south- 

 east. 



When I got back the little gathering had dis- 

 persed, all save the teamster and his family. 



" Guess the missus and the children best stay 

 along with you while your brother and me should 

 go along and see if they wants any help over yonder," 

 said Roddy McMahon, with his eyes following the 

 danger to which his heart was evidently in tow. 



In the gratitude of the moment I guessed the 

 missus and the children might stay for ever. 



Towards sunset I walked across the outskirts of 

 the land and from the distance gazed upon my 

 farmstead, a strangely isolated irregular patch of 

 life and colour set in the black and lifeless waste. 

 At the gate of the fence I met Guy Mazey. 



" My ! Things looked bad for you this morning 

 though ! I was coming across, but I had to plough 

 up my own guard a bit ; and then there was Roland 

 Dennison. The fire seemed every bit like coming 

 in on him, an' he away down at the Fort. And so 

 you lost that good granary. Say now ! Too bad ! " 



I gratefully murmured that I had lost nothing. 



" But I see the granary in the twenty-five-acre 

 patch yesterday forenoon," he replied incredulously. 



" But not yesterday afternoon," I explained, and 

 was conscious of the first faint symptom of returning 

 self-respect. 



