"A single glance convinced us that not a minute was to be lost; we did
not stop even to try and secure our clothing, but made our way as
quickly as possible to a small river about two hundred yards from our
shanty, and which we knew was our only chance of preservation.

"We reached the stream in safety, where I determined to take my stand.
My comrades, however, were of a different opinion: they contended that
the fire would not cross the river, which was upwards of thirty yards
in width. Unfortunately, no argument of mine could induce them to stay,
though I was well aware, and represented to them that such a body of
flame would not be stayed a minute by such a barrier.

"My comrades, hoping to reach an old clearance of some acres, about
half a mile in advance, in spite of all entreaties crossed the stream,
and were soon lost to my view never more to be seen alive by me.

"I waded down the stream, till I found a place where the water was up
to my arm-pits, and the bank of the river rose about six feet over my
head. There I took my stand, and awaited the event in breathless
anxiety. I had no time to look around me. The few minutes which had
elapsed, had greatly added to the terrors of the scene.

"As the wall of fire advanced, fresh trees in succession were enveloped
by the flames. A bright glare crimsoned the clouds with a lurid glow,
while the air was filled with a terrible noise. The heat now became
intense. I looked up once more; the trees above me caught fire at that
instant, the next, I was holding my breath a foot beneath the surface
of the running stream. Every few seconds I was compelled to raise my
head to breathe, which I accomplished with great difficulty. In a few
minutes, which seemed ages to me, I was enabled to stand upright, and