Flashing by, the blazing grass stems
Sped like arrows through the air,
Falling on the distant prairie,
Kindling fresh fires everywhere.
Pressing through the low-flung smoke clouds--
Stifling fumes of Hades' breath--
Fiercer with each flying moment
Drove those scorching blasts of death.
Thrice his horse, 'neath quirt and rowel
Bravely struggling, almost fell,
As he fled in desperation
O'er the trail that led through hell.


28

One poor singed and panting coyote
Through the perils of the ride
Hemmed in by the flames pursuing
Ran close by the horse's side.
Scarce a meager pace behind them,
Pressing hard the coyote's rear,
Raced a frantic old jack rabbit,
Ears laid low in speed and fear.
Reaching now a stretch of upland,
Here the coyote changed his course,
Breaking through the narrow side-fire,
Followed fast by hare and horse;
And, upon the smoking prairie
Over which the fire had passed,