Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

26 Chased by a Prairie Fire. they were aiming for; whereupon the other pointed to a dark line in the advance and declared it to be the river, which would, with its green trees and watery barrier, doubtless check the rush of the flames. All they wanted was time enough to gain this oasis in the desert. The heat had become almost unbearable, espe- cially to Cuthbert, whose unprotected back caught it the most. As they drew nearer the stream the horse seemed to exert himself still more, as though scenting the cool water, and the greenhorn began to have re- newed hopes. | Still, it was a close call, and he never saw the time when he felt any desire to repeat the experience —the slightest mishap to Buckskin, and doom was certain. “Bend low!” suddenly yelled Karl. And it was lucky Cuthbert obeyed the command, for in another minute they were dashing in among the leafy branches of the trees bordering the river. None too soon did this occur, for the flying sparks had already commenced to rain upon them, and the carousal of fire was apparently just at their heels. How blessed the relief as Buckskin, with a shrill neigh, dashed into the cool waters! Both boys threw themselves from his back and soused their heads under to emerge dripping with moisture, but relieved of the fever that had com- menced to riot in their veins. ‘““That’s the first time in your life, Cuthbert, when you took a ducking thankfully,” said Karl, with a erin. “Guess that’s right,” replied Cuthbert, as he made a feeble attempt to repeat Karl’s smile. Standing there up to their waists in the cool cConniclooolks CO