A FOREST ON FIRE.—PART I.
We were sound asleep one night, when, about two hours before day, the snorting of our horses and lowing of our cattle, which were ranging in the woods, suddenly awoke us.
I took my rifle and went to the door to see what beast had caused the hubbub, when I was struck by the glare of light reflected on all the trees before me, as far as I could see through the woods.
My horses were leaping about, snorting loudly, and the cattle ran among them in great confusion.
On going to the back of the house I plainly heard the crackling made by the burning brushwood, and saw the flames coming toward us in a far-extended line.
I ran to the house, told my wife to dress herself and the child as quickly as possible, and take the little money we had, while I managed to catch and saddle two of the best horses.
All this was done in a very short time, for I felt that every moment was precious to us.
We then mounted our horses, and made off from the fire. My wife, who is an excellent rider, kept close to me; and my daughter, who was then a small child, I took in one arm.
When making off, I looked back and saw that the frightful blaze was close upon us, and had already laid hold of the house.
By good luck there was a horn attached to my hunting-clothes, and I blew it, to bring after us, if possible, the remainder of my live-stock, as well as the dogs.
The cattle followed for a while; but before an hour had passed they all ran, as if mad, through the woods, and that was the last we saw of them.
My dogs, too, although at all other times easily managed, ran after the deer that in great numbers sprung before us as if fully aware of the death, that was so rapidly approaching.
We heard blasts from the horns of our neighbors as we proceeded, and knew that they were in the same unfortunate condition that we were in ourselves.
Intent on striving to the utmost to preserve our lives, I thought of a large lake, some miles off, where the flames might possibly be checked, and we might find a place of safety.
Urging my wife to whip up her horse, we set off at full speed, making the best way we could over the fallen trees and the brush heaps, which lay like so many articles placed on purpose to keep up the terrific fires that advanced with a broad front upon us.
By this time we were suffering greatly from the effects of the heat, and we were afraid that our horses would be overcome and drop down at any moment.
A singular kind of breeze was passing over our heads, and the glare of the burning trees shone more brightly than the daylight. I was sensible of a slight faintness, and my wife looked pale.
The heat had produced such a flush in the child's face that, when she turned toward either of us, our grief and anxiety were greatly increased.
Directions for Reading.—What tone of voice should be used in reading the lesson?
Should the rate of reading be slow or rapid?
Point out two paragraphs requiring a somewhat different rate.
Should the feelings expressed in the lesson be rendered in a quiet or loud tone?
Different inflections are sometimes used, simply to give variety to the reading and not for emphasis.
In the first paragraph, mark inflection of night, day, horses, cattle, woods, us.
LESSON XLIII.
de voured', eaten up greedily, as by wild animals.
por'cu pine, a kind of animal.
smold'der ing, burning slowly; smoking.
in suf'fer a ble, not to be borne.
shift'ed, moved about; changed position.
sti'fling, stopping the breath.
dismal, gloomy; cheerless,
un grate'ful, not thankful.
rem'e died, relieved; cured.