"Is there any danger that the fire will come here, husband?" said Mrs.
Allis.

"There is danger, I suppose; but I hope we shall have no trouble of that
kind."

"Is there nothing that can be done to protect your property?"

"I shall try to _burn_ up what grows around the house and stack-yard in a
day or two, I think; but just now it does not seem possible for me to spare
the time."

One day, not long after, a long line of fire appeared on the prairie,
several miles distant. It was, however, so distant that Mrs. Allis and the
children did not feel alarmed, as the evening was still; and they were
watching it with interest, as the flames assumed various fantastic shapes,
now darting upwards like tongues of fire, and now weltering and bubbling
like a sea of melted lava. Mr. Allis had not yet returned from town, where
he had been engaged all that day, entirely unsuspicious of any approaching
calamity; and Mrs. Allis was not aware how rapidly the flames were
approaching her home, until she was startled by seeing a horseman ride
rapidly to her door and hastily dismount, inquiring for Mr. Allis.

"He is at ----. I expect him home in the course of an hour or so. But what
is the matter, Mr. Jenkins? Is anybody sick?"

"Matter, woman! Don't you see that prairie-fire yonder? You'll be burnt out
if you don't stir round lively."