Bear Creek bluffs, thirty miles away, and soon the whole country, as far as the eye could reach to the west and far to the east, was in a flame. The grass was thick and tolerably high, and the flames rolled over the level prairie like a tide upon the ocean and with mighty velocity. We set fire to the grass upon the south side of the river, and with a roar it disappeared over the hills. We then rushed our teams and wagons across the stream upon the burned space and watched the oncome. The thirty miles were skimmed in a short time, and buffaloes, deer, antelopes, and wolves came in a tumultuous throng, howling and bellowing, with the fire close in the rear. On came the conflagration, leaping, whizzing, and roaring like thunder; and it was a sight to see the animals plunge precipitately into the stream. Now and then an old, shaggy wolf would be outrun by the flames, and when the _hair_ began to singe such howling was never heard. The heat was so intense that but _few_ animals got through the blaze alive, and _they_ were left in the hot ashes, and came out pretty well singed and sore. The cattle of the vicinity ran frantic in every direction, and some were suffocated. Our rich, golden range was now blackened; and there was no pasture in the surrounding country except the short, green grass in the valley. We were now compelled to follow the animals to the land of pasture. The cow-men and hunters turned out, and the fire was extinguished in the sand-hills of New Mexico, but a few miles to the south of us. This was the first real prairie-fire we had yet seen, and it being at night added greatly to its splendor. It is a penitentiary offense in that country to _willfully_ fire the prairie, and the stock-men seldom make much court expense when the scoundrel is found. Their proceedings are very summary, and the prisoner is never again guilty of the same offense--in this world. The _Indians_ often do it to destroy the _pasture_ in other quarters and drive the game to _their grounds_; and for it many a red-skin has soared to the happy hunting-ground upon the wings of death. It is unlawful for white men to kill more meat in the Indian Territory than just what is needed for _immediate use_, under penalty of the confiscation of all they have. This is watched over by the _government authorities_ stationed there. However, the fire had not reached the territory, and there were great herds of _buffaloes_ upon their rich pasture; and we cautiously made this part our range.