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Show THE STAGE RIDE. 199 We began to feel their warm caresses, for the wind was in our direction. The flames had closed back of us, cutting off all retreat, and onward we must go. I hoisted my sun umbrella to keep off the sparks. Vesuvius couldn't hold a candle to them. The "whole region 'round about" seemed on fire. My umbrella was reduced to a skeleton. Finally we all curled down in the bottom of the wagon "like breakfast bacon in a frying pan," except the Jehu, for he had to bend his energies to keeping the frantic horses in the road; as it was they traveled considerable zig-zag country. He would occasionally tell us to "keep cool." But it was a difficult thing to do under the circumstances. The irrepressible Hal. stuck her head up and said, "you and the driver have 'simmered' down, eh! Have you still a 'consuming' desire to see a fire in the mountains?" We were a sorry looking outfit when we arrived at Frisco. 0, my! and Duty were minus mane and tail, and cooked in spots. It was a burning shame. A BURNING SHAME. |
