noon
Mrs. Duncan , and the children , were soon by the wagons , tearing off the covers , and by so doing , saved the contents from burning . Then pouring water over and down the throats of their exhausted oxen , they were soon able to breathe freely . In the meantime , by Mrs. Duncan 's direction , Anne had taken a basin of water and bathed the faces and hands of the drivers , so that they were , though quite exhausted , very comfortable . The fire rolled past them without reaching them further , and finally , after having spent itself died away , leaving the broad prairie that was at noon so heavily covered with verdure , a blackened plain . `` This is a pretty fix for us to get in , Duncan , '' said Howe , as the fire rolling away , left them clear of smoke , and gave them a full view of their position . `` Here we are , '' he continued , `` every drop of water spent , without a blade of grass around us , begrimed with soot and smoke , looking worse than any Indians I ever saw . '' `` We ought to be thankful , '' said Mr. Duncan , `` that no lives are lost .