ould not rightly
see, because the branches of a large tree obscured his sight.

Immediately below him, the little gully, whose curving course had turned
him from the straight path, seemed to be the edge of the flames, which
had not been able to back up over the water. On this side, clear down to
the water's edge the forest floor was burning, but how wide a stretch
had been burned over he could not see. Once on the other side of the
gully he would be able to judge better what to do.

Below his horse neighed shrilly.

Looking straight down, Wilbur noted a long rolling curl of smoke steal
swiftly along the ground a few hundred yards away, and he saw there was
no time to lose. Springing from the branch to the trunk of the tree, he
started to climb down. But he was over-hurried, and his feet slipped. It
was only a foot at most, and Wilbur was not easily frightened, but he
turned cold and sick for an instant as he looked below and saw the
height from which he so nearly had fallen. Minutes, nay seconds, were
precious, but he crawled back upon the branch and sat still a moment to
steady his nerves. So startling a shock for so small a slip! He felt
thoroughly ashamed of himself, but it had been quite a jolt.

Again the horse neighed, and the fear in the cry was quite unmistakable.
Gingerly this time, Wilbur left the kindly support of the branch and
made his way down the trunk of the tree, heaving a sigh of profound
thankfulness when he reached the ground. His horse looked at him with
eyes wild with terror and every muscle atwitch. It was the work of a
moment to unfasten the ropes and vault in the saddle, but Wilbur needed
all his horsemanship to keep the horse from bolting. Indeed, he did
start to run away with the boy, but Wilbur sawed him into a more normal
pace and headed him down the gully.

Although the weather had been dry, it seemed that not a few springs must
flow above, for there was quite a stream of water, not deep, but rushing
very swiftly, and consequently hiding the bottom of the stream. It was
no time for looking for a ford, and so, after leading the horse down the
bank by the bridle, Wilbur got into the saddle to put the horse across.
He would not budge. Every muscle and nerve was tense, and the fire,
owing to the curvature of the stream, seeming to come from the other
side, the horse refused to move. Wilbur dug in heavily with the spurs.
The horse would not move. Again Wilbur used the spurs. Then, snatching