62 After the Fire

After the fire

Firemen had been fighting the forest fire for nearly three weeks before they could get it under control.

A short time before, great trees had covered the countryside for miles around.

Now, smoke still rose up from the warm ground over the desolate hills.

Winter was coming on and the hills threatened the surrounding villages with destruction,

for heavy rain would not only wash away the soil but would cause serious floods as well.