“Nawthin’ as I kin see,” came the guide’s philosophical reply. “We hain’t knowin’ which way ther ole wind’ll turn next, so it’s as safe fur us tew keep right along like we was aheadin’, as tew turn back fur camp.”
“Then let’s go on; an’ perhaps after all, the fire’ll give us the go-by,” and as he said this Thad put his best foot forward.
“Anyway,” Jim pursued, presently, “we cudn’t know haow tew shape our plans till we cotched sight o’ ther fire, an’ knowed jest what she be. By naow p’raps ther hull woods ahind us mout be aflame; so by turnin’ back, we’d jest be puttin’ aour noses tew ther grindstone.”
They walked on a little faster than before. The talk was of course all about forest fires now, since it began to seem likely that Thad was about to witness the first real big one of his experience.
Thad had a way of asking leading questions, and Jim was no way averse to giving all the information in his power; so that before long the Boy Scout had learned a great many interesting facts connected with these terrors of the piney woods, by means of which thousands of acres of valuable timber used to be wiped out of existence every year, and often many lives lost as well.
Things are not the same as they used to be. The State of Maine has a well equipped fire warden department; and during the fall season when the danger is greatest, extreme care is taken to call out these seasoned fire-fighters whenever their services are needed. Besides, every licensed guide is expected to work in conjunction with the authorities in seeing that no party which he pilots into the woods becomes reckless about leaving fires burning after breaking camp.
When another half hour had passed Thad could no longer doubt that there was a fire burning somewhere not far away, and that they were now much closer than before to the scene of the conflagration.
The smoke had become a thing that could be easily seen as well as smelled, and felt in the way of burning eyes and tickled nostrils.
Jim was on the alert. Well did he know that it was no child’s play, matching one’s wits against a forest fire that was apt to encircle the unwary woodsman, and cut off his retreat, finally roasting him in a trap.
“Do you think it’s already swept down on the Martin cabin?” Thad asked, somewhat anxiously.