It was about the beginning of the second week in May, as near as they could guess from the bursting of the forest buds and the blooming of such of the flowers as they were acquainted with.
Hector's eyes had followed the flight of a large eagle that now, turning from the lake, soared away majestically towards the east or Oak-hills.
But soon his eye was attracted to another object.

The loftiest part of the ridge was enveloped in smoke.

At first he thought it must be some mist-wreath hovering over its brow; but soon the dense rolling clouds rapidly spread on each side, and he felt certain that it was from fire, and nothing but fire,_[FN: Appendix I.]_ that those dark volumes arose.
"Louis, look yonder! the hills to the east are on fire." "On fire, Hector?
you are dreaming!" "Nay, but look there!" The hills were now shrouded in one dense, rolling, cloud; it moved on with fearful rapidity down the shrubby side of the hill, supplied by the dry, withered foliage and deer-grass, which was like stubble to the flames.
"It is two miles off, or more," said Louis; "and the creek will stop its progress long before it comes near us--and the swamp there, beyond Bare Hill." "The cedars are as dry as tinder; and as to the creek, it is so narrow, a burning tree falling across would convey the fire to this side; besides, when the wind rises, as it always does when the bush is on fire, you know how far the burning leaves will fly.

Do you remember when the forest was on fire last spring, how long it continued to burn, and how fiercely it raged! It was lighted by the ashes of your father's pipe, when he was out in the new fallow; the leaves were dry, and kindled; and before night the woods were burning for miles." "It was a grand spectacle, those pine-hills, when the fire got in among them," said Louis..

"See, see how fast the fires kindle; that must be some fallen pine that they have got hold of; now, look at the lighting up of that hill--is it not grand ?" "If the wind would but change, and blow in the opposite direction!" said Hector, anxiously.
"The wind, mon ami, seems to have little influence; for as long as the fire finds fuel from the dry bushes and grass, it drives on, even against the wind." As they spoke the wind freshened, and they could plainly see a long line of wicked, bright flames, in advance of the dense mass of vapour which hung in its rear.