The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 216: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

210 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. AS OS hd EEG EE a “The horses we rode were excited to very great nervousness and quivering in every limb with excitement, until at last they sweep past us amidst a vast cloud of dust like a mighty rushing wind. “ We approached and galloped near them, and then threw the lassos; ‘ But all in vain. “The dust prevented us seeing whether we had secured anything or not. ) “ But my lasso being loose convinced me I had not at all events. ‘In the confusion and dusk, some stray wild horse ‘cannoned’ against poor ‘Dando,’ and rolled both him and’ me in the grass; the last horse in the wild herd jumped over me very unceremoniously, and gave more tham one kick in passing to the prostrate ‘Dando.’ ‘«‘ Ryom the shouting of Pedro and the others, and the tautness of the lassos at their saddle bows, and objects’ rolling helplessly in the dust, some yards from each, convinced me that many of our brave lads had succeeded much betten than myself, and were each leisurely securing a horse. ‘‘ Meanwhile the track of the flymg herd was . plainly seen. “For their passage through the grass was like a well-trodden, well-rolled road, and the dusty cloud in their rear, broken by the’ passing breeze, revealed in the distamee many animals straggling far behind. ‘Among the dozen wild horses secured by the lads of our train was a very fine stallion, who broke the rope that bound him, and starting up with great fury charzed right through the circle of his captors, and dashed after the herd with headlong speed. Pe The other captures being mares and yearlings, offered but little opposition after the first desperate attempt at liberation,and followed our traim among some tame horses with but slight indications of rebellion. “ This episode delayed our journey for some time, and as nightfall drew near, I could see that Pedro was hurrying on the train as fast as possible, so as to cross the river before sunset. ‘“We were yet several miles from it, and dis- mounting, le sent one of the Mexicans ahead so as to find the best ford and select good grazing and camping grounds. “As we gradually approached the stream, Pedro looked often very anxiously towards that part of the horizon whence the wild horses had come. “ For the whole atmosphere in the west looked gloomy and smoky, and the clouds for many miles wore a dark, dull red colour, “The last waggon had entered the forest, and had passed to the other side of the river. “ Teamsters were ‘hobbling’ their animals before going to graze, while pots and pans were busily employed around the many camp fires sparkling under the dark shade of the richly grassed forest, “ Until everything had been safely landed on the southern bank of the river, Pedro was frightfully nervous and excited, and frequently looked towards the smoky, blood-coloured clouds which hid the fast-setting sun, ‘‘But as soon as all were safely landed he re- sumed his usual gaiety, smoked cigarettes, and lay stretched on his blanket, apparently oblivious of every trouble in the world, ‘“While some were parching, or grinding, or making coffee, and others were concocting name- less savoury dishes of ‘chili con carni,’ I questioned Pedro, and he coolly observed, that— “ The prairie was on fire! ‘At first he did not think so, although the ‘stampede’ of horses suggested it, and careful sub- sequent observation had confirmcd it. “ This fact so startled me, that it seemed strange such an idea had not presented itself before. ‘“‘ We were perfectly safe, however, for the flames could not cross the river, and in all probability would not even touch within a considerable space of the woods opposite; for the pastures were green, - and. would not ignite. ‘While sipping my coffee, I begged Pedro to recross the river, so that I might witness this novel sight; and after giving ou Horses am excellent feed of ‘mice’ (Indian maize corn), we went forth into the darkness, and reerossed the river, leaving our many fires sparkling against the dense darkness of the background, reflecting theim light on the swarthy features of our teamsters and) servants, and our merry band of boys, smoking, chattering, grinning, and card-playing, in groups of twos and threes. “As we approached the edge of the forest, I could occasionally hear a dull roax, which came and went with each gust of wind. “And when we trotted out of the forest into the open prairie, these sounds were explained, ‘To the westward stretched, as far as the eye _ could see, a black line of smoke rolling against the _ blue: and starless sky. Beneath it another, of flames, fanned into red, and orange, and white by the fitful breeze. ““ Whenever the flames were red, the line was thin and low, and seemed not more than an air line _ on the landscape, advancing slowly. “But when sudden blasts fanned it into white and yellow flames, they rose many feet in view, and swept along rapidly, destroying every blade of parched vegetation. “The wind, beginning to blow freshly from the west, fanned the conflagration, and we could dis- tinctly hear the crackling of reeds and underbush. “Tt did not approach the green pastures border- ing the forest nearer than- within five hundred yards, and as it came towards us, our horses became exceedingly restive, and could scareely be restrained from ‘bolting.’ “In a few moments the fiery body advanced and passed us, and sped rapidly onward, leaving the prairie in a dull red heat, glowing or dying, while here and there a solitary tree, in bright silvery flame, stood out in bold relief against the blue of the sky and the glowing blood-colour of the plain, “Such sights were not strange to Pedro, who puffed his cigarette with great composure, and looked on the smoking scene with Spanish indif- ference, simply thanking his holy Mother that they had got to camp in time, “On the way back to camp, he told me many alarming and frightful stories of the ravages some- times effected by these conflagrations ; but as in the present instance the country was not populated, it could not get into the settlements before encoun- tering some stream, which would effectually retard its progress, ” _o® x a * ‘‘At midnight, nearly all in camp were fast asleep, save Pedro and myself, who guaranteed to keep watch. Most of the fires were fitfully burning, and our men lay stretched under the waggons or beside the embers, snoring loudly and inhar- monicusly, “Pedro, with back against a tree, was yawning, and as now cigarettes had no charm for him, I felt certain I should be the only one awake, ‘No sounds were heard in this grand old forest, es {; LLL LL LLL GEomicboo S