thought we had lost Santa. How did you
get him?"

"He got us," I answered.

"It's all right now. He went off on a trail of his own," commented the
captain. "I'm glad that he located you."

We now proceeded up the mountain on the back trail, the captain in the
lead. After a while daylight came and it showed a scene of desolation
below us. The blackened trees, some standing, thousands fallen, the
pallid smoke rising from mountain slopes and curling out of deep
canyons.

Above us, however, was a brighter prospect, for below the snow fields
were the unscarred pines and the ravines where were the clear streams.

After an hour's hard climb we were among the trees with bushes, and here
and there bunches of grasses and of flowers. It seemed like paradise to
our fire scorched eyes. We made our camp in a wide ravine, near a
pleasant stream.

"Well, this is jolly," said Jim. "I am glad to have a chance to wash my
features and comb my hair."

We took the saddles off our tired horses and it was a pleasure to see
how they took it. The fire was made and once more we were united around
the old campfire.

Depend upon it, we had a long talk and the captain told of his efforts
to help us. He and Tom had spent several hours in making their
preparations. Below the ridge at a distance of three hundred yards or
more apart they had placed inflammable pitch pine in dry brush and
timber.

Tom had been sent with the pack horses up beyond the danger zone and
then with a pitch pine torch the captain started the fire at the eastern
end, then full gallop to the west and thus up the line. The wind was
blowing a hurricane and scattered fire brands far and wide.

It is easy to unleash such a tempest of fire, but once started it is
beyond all human control.

We told our story and then fixing up a bed of boughs or rather small
branches, I rolled up in my blankets and was soon sound asleep. There
was comfort in it after the hardships of the past two nights.

* * * * *

We did not move camp until the next day. By that time we were thoroughly
rested and ready for whatever might be ahead of us, whether Indians or
forest fires.

Our horses also were feeling good, which they showed by acting badly.

The captain scouted out and returning reported no signs of Indians.
They had been driven away.

"Well, boys," he said, as we started the next day, "I shall have to
leave you as soon as I get you out of these mount