The Huttig news., 1914-11-21

and they spurred on in almost a panic. The Mexican paisanos count them- selves late if they do not take the trail at sunup-what if they should meet some struggling party before they reached the pass?
 Bud jumped Copper Bottom up a series of cat steps Gracia's roan came scrambling behind; and then, just as the boxed walls ended and they gained level spot. they suddenly found them- selves in the midst Of q camp of Mex ieans-men. saddles, packs, and rifles, all scattered at their feet.
 eRuenos dias," saluted Rud, as the blinking men rose up from their blankets. Excuse me. amigos, 1 am in a hurry!"
 "A donde va? A dende Va ." ehal- lenged a bearded man as he sprang up rom his brush shelter.
 ITO the pass, senor, answered Hook CT, still politely, but motioning for Gracia to ride on ahead "Adios!"
 "Who is that man2" beloved the bearded leader, turning furiously upon his followers. Where is my senti- nel? Stop him."
 But it was too late to stop him. Bud laid his quirt across the rumf of the roan and spurred forward in a dash for cover. They whisked around the point Of a hill as the first scattered shots rang out; and, as frightened sentinel jumped up in thelr path Bud rode him down. The man dropped his gun to escape the fury of the charge and i'll mad chatter they flung themselves at a rock-slide and scrambled to the bench above. The path was rocky. but they pressed forward at a gallor until, as the sun came up. they beheld the summit of the pass.
 We win!" cried Bud. as he spurred up the last incline.
 As he looked over the top he ex. ploded in an oath and jerked Copper fottom back on his launches. The eader of long line of horsemen was just coming up the other side-there Nas no esca pe-and then back at the frightened girl.
 Keep behind me" he commanded, and don't shoot I'm going to hold em upl"
 He jumped his horse out to one side end landed squarely on the rim of the ridge. Gracia drew her horse in be- bind him and reached for the pistol in her helster; then both together they frew their guns and Bud threw down on the first man.
 "Go on!" he ordered, motioning him onward with his head; 'pr-r-rontoi He jerked out his rife with his left hand and laid it across his lap.
 Hurry up now" he ragged as the startled Mexican halted. Go on and keep a going, and the first man that makes a break I'll shoot him full of koles!"
 He sat like statue on his shining horse, his six-shooter balanced to shoot, and something in his very presence the bulk of his body, the forward thrust of his head, and the burning hate of his eyes-quelled the spirits of the rebels. They were a rag-tag army. mounted on horses and donkeys Siid ihuiSo dilu MIlu aIiuS Ol every known make.
 It was just such an army as was overrunning all northern Mexico, such an army as had been levying tribute on the land for century. They spread terror throughout all that great coun- try south of the American border.
 The fiery glances of the American made them cringe as they had always cringed before their masters, and his curses turned their blood to water. He lowered above them like giant, pour ing forth a torrent of oaths and beck CT was the first to yield.
 With hand half-rased and jaw on his breast he struck spurs to his fright ened mule and went dashing over the ridge
 The others followed by twos and threes, some shrinking, some protest ing, some gazing forth villainously from beneath their broad hats. As they looked back he whirled upon them and swore he would kill the first man that dared to turn his head.
 After all they were a generation of slaves, those lowbrowed, minimizing peons, and war had not made them brave. They passed on. the whole line of bewildered soldiery. looking in vain for the men that were behind the American. staring blankly at the beau. tiful woman who sat so courageously ty his side.
 When the last had gone by Bud picked up his rife and watched him around the point. Then he smiled
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