That square was like a great big stage in front of
me, and I laid in the darkness on my lumber pile
and watched things like a show--not much scared
because it WAS so derned unreal.
From way down along the railroad track they
come a sort of blunted roar, like blasting big stumps
out--and then another and another. Purty soon,
down that way, a slim flame licked up the side of
a big building there, and crooked its tongue over
the top. Then a second big building right beside
it ketched afire, and they both showed up in their
own light, big and angry and handsome, and the
light showed up the men in front of 'em, too--
guarding 'em, I guess, fur fear the town would get
its nerve and make a fight to put 'em out. They
begun to light the whole town up as light as day,
and paint a red patch onto the sky, that must of
been noticed fur miles around. It was a mighty
purty sight to see 'em burn. The smoke was
rolling high, too, and the sparks flying and other
things in danger of ketching, and after while a lick
of smoke come drifting up my way. I smelt her.
It was tobacco burning in them warehouses.
But that town had some fight in her, in spite
of being took unexpected that-a-way. It wasn't
no coward town. The light from the burning
buildings made all the shadders around about seem
all the darker.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172