f2 FIRE ON THE MOUNTAINS. 



the main stream, which, roaring along with speed of a 

 race-horse, licked the mountain-side, extending its long 

 line as it advanced. The dry pines and cedars hissed 

 and cracked, as the flame, reaching them, ran up their 

 trunks and spread among the limbs, while the long wav- 

 ing grass underneath was a sea of fire. From the rapidity 

 with which the fire advanced I feared that it would al- 

 ready have reached my animals, and hurried at once to 

 the spot as fast as I could run, The prairie itself was as 

 yet untouched, but the surrounding ridges were clothed 

 in fire, and the mules, with stretched ropes, were trembling 

 with fear. 



I immediately released the animals, mounted young 

 Oregon, threw the cimaron across the back of old Flygrass, 

 and secured my packs. Fondle struggled and fell from 

 its position between the packs. I could not wait. The 

 fire was rapidly surrounding me, and cutting off my es- 

 cape. Taking hold of the rope attached to Flygrass's 

 bridle, I drove the spurs into young Oregon,- and rode 

 for a broad stream, which was visible full five miles in an 

 oblique direction from my camp, and at a considerable 

 distance from the mountain. In that stream I could pro- 

 ceed till I reached the sandy plain, where tSe fire could 

 have but scanty fuel. The fire was travelling with amaz- 

 ing quickness through the bottom, and it was an exciting 

 race for me to reach the stream, before the fierce blaze 



