fomt fi 



above the fire as it toned down. Presently this 

 black stratum was uplifted near the centre and 

 then pierced with a stupendous geyser of yellow 

 flame, which reddened as it fused and tore 

 through the tarry smoke and then gushed as- 

 tonishingly high above. 



A year or two prior to the fire a snow slide 

 from the heights had smashed down into the 

 forest. More than ten thousand trees were 

 mowed, raked, and piled in one mountainous 

 mass of wreckage upon some crags and in a nar- 

 row-throated gulch between them. This wood- 

 pile made the geyser flames and a bonfire to 

 startle even the giants. While I was trying to 

 account for this extraordinary display, there 

 came a series of explosions in rapid succession, 

 ending in a violent crashing one. An ominous, 

 elemental silence followed. All alone I had en- 

 joyed the surprises, the threatening uncertain- 

 ties, and the dangerous experiences that swiftly 

 came with the fire-line battles of this long, 

 smoky war; but when those awful explosions 

 came I for a time wished that some one were 

 with me. Had there been, I should have turned 



169 



