Of the safety
of the root-house they entertained no fear, as the grass was already
springing green on the earthen roof; and below they had taken every
precaution to secure its safely, by scraping up the earth near it.
[Footnote: Many a crop of grain and comfortable homestead has been saved
by turning a furrow round the field; and great conflagrations have been
effectually stopped by men beating the fire out with spades, and hoeing
up the fresh earth so as to cut off all communication with the dry roots,
grass, and leaves that feed its onward progress. Water, even could it be
got, which is often impossible, is not near so effectual in stopping
the progress of fire; even women and little children can assist in such
emergencies.]
Catharine lamented for the lovely spring-flowers that would be destroyed
by the fire. "We shall have neither huckleberries nor strawberries this
summer," she said, mournfully; "and the pretty roses and bushes will be
scorched, and the ground black and dreary."
"The fire passes so rapidly over that it does not destroy many of the
forest trees, only the dead ones are destroyed; and that, you know, leaves
more space for the living ones to grow and thrive in," said Hector.
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