The ponies would be safe. I would be safe in the lee of the big rocks near
the pool. But I did not mean to stay. I could not stay with those men lying
tied up in the cabin. Herky had saved me. Still it was not that which
spurred me on.
Target snorted shrilly and started back from the water, ready to stampede.
Slipping the bridle into place, I snapped the bit between his teeth. I had
to swing off my feet to pull his head down.
Even as I did this I felt the force of the wind. It was hard to breathe. A
white tumbling column of smoke hid sky and sun. All about me it was like a
blue twilight.
The appalling roar held me spellbound with my foot in the stirrup. It drew
my glance even in that moment of flight.
Under the shifting cloud flashes of red followed by waves of fire raced
through the tree-tops. That the forest fire traveled through the tree-tops
was as new to me as it was terrible. The fire seemed to make and drive the
wind. Lower down along the ground was a dull furnace-glow, now dark, now
bright. It all brought into my mind a picture I had seen of the end of the
world.
Target broke the spell by swinging me up into the saddle as he leaped
forward with a furious snort. I struck him with the bridle, and yelled:
"You iron-jawed brute! You've been crazy to run--now run!"
XVII.
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