They would wither and scatter the white nation here! Worse than plumed warriors was yonder broken undulating line of the prairie fire.
Instinct told the white girl, gave her the same terror as that which inspired all these fleeing creatures.

But what could she do?
This was an elemental, gigantic wrath, and she but a frightened girl.

She guessed rather than reasoned what it would mean when yonder line came closer, when it would sweep down, roaring, over the wagon train.
The mules began to bray, to plunge, too wise to undertake flight.

She would at least save them.

She would mount one and ride with the alarm for the camp.
The wise animals let her come close, did not plunge, knew that she meant help, allowed her trembling hands to loose one end of the hobble straps, but no more.