Page 50 (1/2)

She heard no call and no command But an ar onward, the horn of a saddle under her, her body

held to that of the rider, swung sidewise The horse was guided not down

but across the wind

Twice and three ti

his little back fires--the only defense against a wildfire He breathed

thickly, e

"Will they never start?" he broke out at last "The fools--the fools!"

But by noas too late A sudden accession in the force of the wind

increased the speed of the fire The little line near Molly's wagon

spared it, but caught strength Could she have seen through the veils of

smoke she would have seen a half dozen fires this side the line of the

great fire But fire is fire

Again he was in saddle and had her against his thigh, his body, flung

any way so she came with the horse And now the horse swerved, till he

drove in the steel again and again, heading hiht into it!

Molly felt a rush of hot air; surging, actual flaain and again sweep over her skirts,

wiping out the fire as it caught It was blackly hot, stifling--and then