Now, down in Ohio, where I originally came from, they have drouths
even in May, at times, and I've seen things go to the dogs more than
once, gardens dried up, and even a forest fire in July, but never up
here," replied the stockman.
"The woods look as though it wouldn't take a great deal to set them
going," declared Frank. "One of the men threw a match down to-day, after
lighting his cigarette, and it seemed like magic the way the fire
flashed up. He had to be quick to jump on it before the breeze carried
it along."
Mr. Mabie frowned.
"I won't ask you which man it was, Frank; but I must warn them again to
be more than ordinarily careful about throwing matches around and
leaving a fire burning anywhere in the woods. Many a grand forest has
been ruined by such carelessness," he said.
"How does that happen, sir?" inquired Bluff.
"It is easy. The careless hunter or trapper leaves his dying fire when
he breaks camp. Then up comes a sudden wind and some of the red cinders
are blown into the dead leaves or punk grass. Fanned by the breeze, they
become a roaring flame in a minute, and the mischief is done.
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