Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-10-16
CHAPTER XIV.

Though the times had turned to war,
al nature that morning was at peace.
and they rode through a valley of flow
srs like knight and lady in a pageant
The rich grass rose knee-deep along
the hillsides, the desert trees were
iligreed with the tenderest green and
.wined with morning-glories, and in
open glades the peoples and sand
,erbenas spread forth masses of blue
and gold.
Already on the mesquit-trees the
nocking-birds we're singing, and bright
iashes of tropical color showed where
cardinal and yellow-throat passed. The
lew was still untouched upon the
grass, and yet they hurried IN, for
some premonition whispered to them
Of EVIL, and they thought only to gain
he far pass.
Beyond that lay comparative safety,
ut no man knew what dangers lurked
between them and that cleft in the
mountains. Del Rey and his rurales
or Bravo and his rebels might be
there. In fact, one or the other prob
ably was there, and If so there would
be a fight, a fight against heavy odds
If he were alone, and odds that would
be greatly increased because he must
protect Gracia.
To the west and north rose the high
and impossible mountain which had
barred their way in the night; across
the valley the fat-topped Fortunes
threw their bulwark against the dawn;
and all behind was broken hills and
guiches, any one of which might give
up armed men. Far ahead, like q
knife-gash between the ridges, lay the
pass to the northern plains, and as
their trail swung out into the open
they put spurs to their horses and
galloped.
Once through that gap, the upper
country would lie before them and
they could pick and choose. Now they
must depend Upon speed and the
chance that their way vas not blocked.
Somewhere in those hills to the east
Bernardo Bravo and his men were
hidden. Or perhaps they were scat
tered, turned by their n defeat into
rowing bandits or vengeful partizans,
laying waste the Sonoran ranches as
they fought their way back to Chihua.
hua. There we're a hundred evil
chances that might befall the fugitives.
and while Bud scanned the country
ahead Gracia cast anxious glances be
hind.
They are comingl" she cried al
last. IS a moving spot appeared in the
rear. "Oh, there they arel"
Good" breathed Hooker, as he
o s in his stirrups and looked.
why, good?" she demanded. Gu
riousIy.
"They's only three OF 'em," answered
Bud. Il was afraid they might be IL
'front.'" he explained, as she gazed al
him with a puzzled smile.
YES" she said; but what will you
do II they catch us?"
They won't catch us" replied Hook
er confidently. Not while I've got my
rife. Anal" he exclaimed, still look
ing back, "row we know all about it
that sorrel Is Manuel del Rey's!"
And will you kill him?" challenged
Gracia. rodsing suddenly at the name
Hooker pretended not to hear. In.
stead, he cooked his eye up at the
eastern mountain, whence from time
to time came mufied rifie-shots, and
turned his horse to go. There was
trouble over there to the east some.
where-Alvarez and his Yaquis. still
marrying the retreating rebels-and
some Of 1t might come their way.
With Rel Rey behind them, even
though in sight, he was the least of
their troubles, and could be easily
cared for with a rife shot If they
could not distance him. Hooker knew
that the two rurales with him would
not continue the pursuit If their lead
er was out of the way, 80 that it would
not be necessary to injure more than
one man.
"Ah, how I hate that mani" ragged
0racia, squirting her horse as she
OOWtC4 poCR ah G1O O0l
Rey and his men who were riding o n
ward rapidly.
All right" observed Bud with a
quizzical smile, I'll have to kill him
for you then!"
She gazed at him a moment with
eyes that were big with questioning,
but the expression on his rugged face
bafied her.
Il would not forget 1t" she cried inn
pulstveiy. mo, after all l have suf-
fered, l think l could love the man who
would meet him face to facet But why
do you-shl" she cried, with a sudden
tragic bitterness. You smile! You
have no thought for me-you care
nothing that / am afraid Of himl All.
Dios, for a man who is brave-to rid
me of this devil!"
Never mind" returned Bud, his
voice thick with rising anger. IF /
kill him it won't be for youi"