"We were now approaching the settlement--Weatherford, it was called.  It was a long way to the eastward of where we are now, with numerous towns and villages in the neighbourhood.  The waggon had gained the last height, from the top of which, our guide told us, we should be able to catch sight of the settlement.  We had been working away with our crowbars, helping on the wheels,--our friend being ahead of the team,-- and had just reached level ground, when we heard him utter a cry of dismay.  Rushing forward, we found him pointing, with distended eyes, into the plain beyond us, from which could be seen, near the bank of a river, thick volumes of smoke ascending, while bright names kept flickering up from below.