like a feather
blown by the gale.

For several moments the trapper, who, by the change in his position was
brought face to face with the pursuing fire, said not a word. His stroke
was long and sweeping and pulled with an energy which only perfect skill
and tremendous strength can put into action. He looked at the rolling
flames with a face undisturbed in its calmness and with eyes that noted
knowingly every sign of its progress.

"The fire is a hot un," he said at length, "and it runs three feet to
our two. We may git there ahead of it, for there isn't more than a mile
furder to go; but--Lord!" exclaimed the trapper, "how it roars! and it
makes its own wind as it comes on. Don't break yer paddle shaft, boy;
but the shaft is a good un and ye may put all the strength into it that
ye think it will stand."

The spectacle on which the trapper was gazing was, indeed, a terrible
one; and the peril of the two men was getting to be extreme. The valley,
through the centre of which the river ran, was perhaps a mile in width,
at which distance a range of lofty hills on either side walled it in.
Down this enclosed stretch the fire was being driven by a wind which
sent the blazing evidences of its approach in advance of its terrible
progress. The spectacle was indescribable. The dreadful line of flame
moved onward like a line of battle, when it moves at a charge against a
flying enemy. The hungry flames ate up the woods as a monster might eat
food when starving. Grasses, shrubs, bushes, thickets of undergrowth and
the great trees, which stood in groves over the level plain on either
side of the stream, disappeared at its touch as if swallowed up. The
evergreens crackled and flamed fiery hot. The smoke eddied up in rushing
volumes. Overhead, and far in advance of the on-rolling line of fire,
the air was darkened with black cinders, amid whose sombre masses fiery
sparks and blazing brands shone and flashed like falling stars.

[Illustration: "_A deer suddenly sprang from the bank._"]

A deer suddenly sprang from the bank into the river ahead of the boat
and, frenzied with fear, swam boldly athwart its course. He was followed
by another and another. Birds flew shrieking through the air. Even the
river animals swam uneasily along the banks, or peered out of their
holes, as if nature had communicated to them, also, the terrible alarm;
while, like the roar of a cataract,--dull, heavy, portentous,--the wrath
of the flames rolled ominou