And as the forkèd tongues of flame,
In fierce combustion, writhed and burned,
Nor moment's space remained the same,
The conversation swayed and turned.
For tales were told of avalanche,
Of army scenes, of mine and ranch,
Of wily politician's snares,
Of gold excitements, smallpox scares,
Of England's debt and grizzly bears.
When all but three their stories told