d thinking how surprised the
ghost will be when he appears to-night. Them coveys hain't got much
respects for beings of this world or 'tother, I should judge by their
treatment of the best specimen of a goblin ever got up in any country."

"D----n your long yarns, let's get out of this confounded furnace before
we stop to talk," was the response of Mr. Brown, who began to grow
impatient under the fiery ordeal.

Day looked as though he would like to discuss the matter, but he altered
his mind when he found that the fire was within ten feet of where we
stood.

"For God's sake, are you going to keep us here till we are smothered?"
yelled my friend; and there was some danger of it, for the smoke swept
towards us in clouds, and made us gasp for breath and long for a drink
of the sweet water of the Loddon.

Thus urged, Day made another hasty survey of the smoking plain, and
then, striking his sharp, bony heels into the sides of his horse, led
the way over the burning grass at a tremendous pace, closely followed by
Mr. Brown and myself.

The animals, as though aware that their lives and our own depended upon
their good behavior, galloped over the plain that separated us from the
woods without once balking, although I feared and expected it every
moment. After we reached the trees where the fire was raging severely,
and where it was impossible to discover the path which we had followed
when we were on our way to the treasure, I was fearful that we should be
obliged to dismount and trust to our legs for an escape, for to have
checked our animals even for a moment would have so bewildered them that
we should have lost all control over them. Our good genius, Day,
however, by some peculiar landmark, knew the trail in spite of the
smoke, and did not hesitate for a moment.

"Keep close to me," he shouted, looking back for a moment, and then,
with a wild yell, he gave his horse free rein, and on we dashed close to
his heels.

On each side of us the flames were roaring and surging like the breaking
of a heavy surf upon the seashore, and every moment the fire was
extending by the aid of the grass and dead branches of trees, which were
like tinder, no rain having fallen in that part of the country for three
months.

We could see but a short distance ahead of us owing to the smoke, and
for a while we were in a state of great uncertainty whether there was an
outlet in the direction which we were pursuing. Our retreat was cut off,