the plain
a band of Indians, who, I guessed, from the tall plumes on their heads,
their long spears, and general appearance, were on the war-path, and
would not hesitate to take the scalp of a white man for the sake of
adding to their trophies. Were I to continue as I had been going, I
should ride almost into their midst. Of one thing, however, I felt
sure--they would not willingly advance nearer the approaching fire.

They soon espied me, and several detached themselves from the main body
and galloped forward. Should they come near me, my fate, I felt sure,
would be sealed. I had not a moment to deliberate. I would rather rush
through the flames than trust myself to their tender mercies; so,
turning my horse's head, I galloped back towards the advancing fire.
Directly in front of me was a spot where the flames reached to a much
less height than in other places, and the belt of fire seemed also much
narrower. Unstrapping the blanket I carried on my saddle, with
desperate energy I tore off a broad strip and fastened it over my
horse's eyes. The larger portion I threw over my own head, fastening
the ends round my body.

Before I had finished this operation I heard the wild whoops of the
Indians directly behind me. Tightening the rein, I dug my heels into my
horse's flanks and urged him forward, steering him between the
numberless animals escaping from the fire. My poor horse knew not where
he was going. I waited till the smoke began to curl round my head, then
drawing the blanket over my face and chest, in total darkness I dashed
forward into the midst of the flames. The heat was intense, and I felt
that my boots were scorching, but the blanket kept the smoke from my
mouth and nostrils, and I was able, though with difficulty, to breathe.
I could feel the flames round me, and hear their crackling sound, so my
only hope of safety depended on my horse keeping his legs. Should he
fall, I must be destroyed.

He kept up wonderfully, and at length I knew that the worst was past. I
threw the blanket from my head, for I had begun to fear that I should be
suffocated. I was able to draw a free breath, though the air was full
of smoke. I had passed safely through the fire, but my clothes were
scorched, and my poor steed was fearfully burnt. The ground, too, over
which I was passing was still strewed with smouldering embers, which my
horse's hoofs threw up behind him at every step.

The fire went rolling on. As I