d; and the density of the smoke, the rapid
velocity of the flames, and the violence of the winds, effectually
prevent the flight of others."

It was from this mighty destruction that the forecast and admirable
presence of mind displayed by the lumberer, whose pathetic story I am
about to relate, saved him. I could not fail, while rejoicing in his
escape, to impute his self-possession to the compassion of the all-wise
Being who had made him such an instance of His mercy.

"The weather," said he, "had been unusually dry for the season, and
there had been no rain for upwards of three weeks before this calamity
took place. We had only just completed our shanty, and had commenced
felling timber ready for squaring, when it occurred. We had heard from
our teamsters, who had brought us out pork and flour, the day previous,
that fires were raging in the woods some miles to the eastward of us.
However, we paid but little attention to what appeared to us a common
occurrence.

"After supper, one of our men went out of the shanty, but immediately
returned to tell us 'that a dreadful conflagration was raging within a
mile or so of our dwelling.' We immediately rushed out to ascertain the
truth of his assertion. I shall never forget," he continued, "the sight
presented to our view: as far as the eye could reach we saw a wall of
fire higher than the tree-tops, and we heard the mighty sound of the
rushing flames mingled with the crashing fall of the timber.

"A single glance convinced us that not a minute was to be lost; we did
not stop even to try and secure our clothing, but made our way as
quickly as possible to a small river about two hundred yards from our
shanty, and which we knew was our only chance of preservation.

"We reached the stream in safety, where I determined to take my stand.
My comrades, however, were of a different opinion: they contended that
the fire would not cross the river, which was upwards of thirty yards
in width. Unfortunately, no argument of mine could induce them to stay,
though I was well aware, and represented to them that such a body of
flame would not be stayed a minute by such a barrier.

"My comrades, hoping to reach an old clearance of some acres, about
half a mile in advance, in spite of all entreaties crossed the stream,
and were soon lost to my view never more to be seen alive by me.

"I waded down the stream, till I found a place where the water was up
to my arm-pits, and the bank of the