cactus slashed with a sharp knife, were conspicuous and
unmistakeable signs; and by the guidance of these we made rapid advance.

We must have gone much faster than the trackers themselves--for
notwithstanding the freshness of the trail, there were dry spots and
patches of cut rock over which it passed, and where it must have cost
them both time and keen perception to trace it.

As we were travelling so much more rapidly than Rube and Garey could
have done, I looked forward to our soon overtaking them: with eager
anticipation, I looked forward. Surely they would have some news for
me, now that they had been so long in the advance? Surely by this time
they must have come in sight of the steed?--perhaps captured him? Oh,
joyous anticipation!

Or would they return with a different tale? Was I to meet the report
that he still hurried on--on for ever? That he had swum some rapid
stream? or plunged over a precipice--into some dark abysm?

Though hastening on after the trackers, there were moments when I feared
to overtake them--moments when I dreaded to hear their tale!

We had worked our way about five miles through the hideous jungle, when
I began to feel a strange sensation in my eyes--a sensation of pain--
what is usually termed a "smarting." I at first attributed it to the
want of sleep.

My companions complained that they were affected in a similar manner.

It was not until we had gone some distance farther, that we found the
true explanation--on perceiving that there was _smoke in the air_!
Smoke it was that was causing the bitterness in our eyes.

The denizen of the prairie never regards such an indication with
indifference. Where there is smoke, there is fire, and where fire,
danger--at least upon the broad grassy steppes of the west. A burning
forest may be shunned. You may stand near a forest on fire, and
contemplate such a scene with safety; but a blazing prairie is a
phenomenon of a different character; and it is indeed a rare position
where you may view, without peril, this sublime spectacle.

There are prairies that will not burn. The plains covered with the
short "buffalo-grass" (_sesleria dactyloides_), and the sward of various
species of "gramma" (_chondrosium_), rarely take fire; or if they do,
horse, man, buffalo, or antelope, can easily escape by leaping across
the blaze. 'Tis only the reptile world--snakes, lizards, the toad, and
the land-turtle (_terrapin_)--that fall victims to suc