“I—I thought this was going to be an—an awfully exciting adventure; but I don’t like it a bit now!” the little girl sobbed.
Miss Amanda held her close, and Uncle Joe drove on as rapidly as possible. The way was rough and they were jolted a good deal. Prince trotted on behind them, his tongue out, and occasionally coughing; but he was better off than his human friends, for he was nearer the ground, where the smoke was not so heavy.
There was just wind enough, and coming from the right direction, to drive the smoke through the tunnel of the wagon road. The fire itself was not yet near. Joseph Stagg, nevertheless, was seriously troubled by the situation.
Following the direction this road led, they would be going farther and farther from home. And, if the wind increased, it was very doubtful if they could keep ahead of the fire for long.
However, he did not display his knowledge of these troublesome facts to his companions. As for Amanda Parlow, she hugged the little girl tightly and kept up a show of cheerful spirits.
Prince whined and yapped pleadingly, and the man stopped for a moment to let the dog leap to the rear of the buckboard, where he crouched, panting.
It would not be wise for them to halt often, nor for long. The wind, although steady, was rising. The roaring of the fire grew louder and louder in their ears.
Suddenly Joseph Stagg dragged Cherry’s head around. The horse snorted and hesitated, for the smoke was blinding him.
“I pretty near missed these forks!” exclaimed the hardware merchant. “This left road takes us towards the lake.”
“Oh, Joe, can we reach it?” whispered Amanda.