A band of antelope, running, had paused a hundred yards away, gazing back.
Danger--yes; but what?
The girl ran to the crest of the nearest hillock and looked back.

Even as she did so, it seemed that she caught touch of the great wave of apprehension spreading swiftly over the land.
Far off, low lying like a pale blue cloud, was a faint line of something that seemed to alter in look, to move, to rise and fall, to advance--down the wind.

She never had seen it, but knew what it must be--the prairie fire! The lack of fall burning had left it fuel even now.
Vast numbers of prairie grouse came by, hurtling through the silence, alighting, strutting with high heads, fearlessly close.

Gray creatures came hopping, halting or running fully extended--the prairie hares, fleeing far ahead.

Band after band of antelope came on, running easily, but looking back.