eed on our journey, Ned and I,
supporting him between us, began to descend the rock. There was,
fortunately, a sandy track, free from grass, of considerable extent, on
one side, across which we proposed to proceed. Ned had loaded his
pistols, and we each of us kept our sticks in our hands, ready to defend
ourselves from any of the wild beasts which might venture to attack us.
The fire continued raging fiercely on our right as we hurried on, and we
watched it with intense anxiety, to see whether it was advancing towards
us. Had it taken place on the open prairies, which cover many portions
of the continent, our escape would have been impossible. As it was, our
chance was at times doubtful. By ourselves we might have run for our
lives; but our wounded companion impeded us, and I would have sacrificed
myself sooner than have quitted him. The ground which we were then
traversing was composed chiefly of rock and sand, but there was enough
dry grass growing on it, should it catch fire, to scorch us very much,
if not to destroy us; and ahead, for some distance, it grew much
thicker; while beyond again there appeared a wide extent of sandy soil,
which, if we could once reach, we should probably be in safety. As the
sun rose, the wind shifted to a quarter which blew the flames more
rapidly than heretofore towards us. Ned and I exerted ourselves to the
utmost to drag on poor Pedro, who was not so well aware of our danger.
Onward, in the shape of a wedge, advanced the devouring flames with the
sharp point first. This gradually thickened, spreading out on either
side. Now a rock or a sandy patch intervened, but they leaped over all
impediments, the long dry grass catching fire from the sparks which,
like a vast courier of destruction, were borne forward by the breeze. I
looked at Ned to learn from his looks what chance he thought we had of
escaping, but his countenance did not betray the slightest sign of fear
or doubt. The fire, it must be understood, had, in consequence of the
direction the wind had before blown in our rear, been driven in a
straight line on our right a considerable distance in advance of us; and
now, from the wind blowing from our right, it was taking a course
directly across the path we were anxious to pursue. On our left the
ground was covered with dry grass and underwood, so that we dared not to
venture across it. The only course left us was, therefore, directly
ahead.

"I am sorry we left the r