"Don't look behind. Keep your eyes in front and _ride_!" commanded
his father.
Sparks borne by the wind began to fall all about, now and then
starting blazes which the cowboys put out by beating with their
blankets where they could, yet none checked his speed. To the hot
air was added smoke, and men and horses were breathing with
difficulty, gasping and coughing.
"If you've got handkerchiefs, jam them in your mouths!" cried
Snider.
Nearer, ever nearer drew the wall of flame. It seemed to the chums
that they must be breathing fire, so did the air burn their mouths.
Time and again they swayed in their saddles and would have fallen
had it not been for the men beside them, who had let go the bridles
to steady the boys, at the same time rowelling their own mounts.
Just when it seemed to the boys that the shirts on their backs
would burst into flames a shout went up from in front:
"The river! The river!"
"One more spurt, everybody!"
Gamely men, boys and horses responded.
"Right over the bank! Don't stop!" bellowed Pete.
Ignorant of the height, caring little, eager only to gain the
water, the boys felt their horses leap through the air and the next
minute were sputtering and gasping as they sank below the surface
of the river.
CHAPTER XXI
A RIDE FOR LIFE
Quickly the horses swam for the shore, and as the Elkhorn was only
deep for a few rods, it was not many minutes before the cowboys
were shaking and removing their wet garments.
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