was impressed suddenly with the thought that they were both
leaning on the advice and leadership of the girl! He was inexperienced,
himself; and the teamster seemed quite as helpless.

A pair of coyotes, too frightened by the fire to be afraid of their
natural enemy, man, shot by in the dusk--two dim, grey shapes.

Frances released Molly and the grey pony from their hobbles. She leaped
upon the back of the pinto and dragged the grey after by his
bridle-reins. She was back at the stalled wagon in a few moments.

Already the flames could be seen along the western horizon as far as the
unaided eye could see anything, leaping under the pall of rising smoke.
The fire was miles away, it was true; but its ominous appearance
affrighted even Pratt Sanderson, who knew so little about such peril.

Mack was fastening straps and hooking up traces; they had not dared
leave the mules hitched to the wagon while they were engaged in its
repair.

"Come on! get a hustle on you, Mister!" exclaimed the teamster. "We got
to light out o' here right sudden!"

CHAPTER XVIII

THE WAVE OF FLAME

Pratt was pale, as could be seen where his face was not smudged with
earth and axle-grease. He came and accepted his pony's bridle from
Frances' hand.

"What shall we do?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

It was plain that the teamster had little idea of what was wise or best
to do. The young fellow turned to Frances of the ranges quite as a
matter of course. Evidently, she knew so much more about the perilous
circumstances than he did that Pratt was not ashamed to take Frances'
commands.

"This is goin' to be a hot corner," the teamster drawled again; but
Pratt waited for the girl to speak.

"Are you frightened, Pratt?" she asked, suddenly, looking down at him
from her saddle, and smiling rather wistfully.

"Not yet," said the young fellow. "I expect I shall be if it is very
terrible."

"But you don't expect me to be scared?" asked Frances, still gravely.

"I don't think it is your nature to show apprehension," returned he.

"I'm not like other girls, you mean. That girl from Boston, for
instance?" Frances said, looking away at the line of fire again. "Well!"
and she sighed. "I am not, I suppose. With daddy I've been up against
just such danger as this before. You never saw a prairie fire, Pratt?"

"No, ma'am!" exclaimed Pratt. "I never did."

"The grass and greasewood are just right for it now. Mack is correct,"