The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-07-14
CHAPTER XIV.

Though the times had turned TO war,
ell nature that morning was at peace,
and they rode through a valley OF flow.
ers like knight and lady In a pageant
The rich grass rose kaee-deep along
the hillsides. the desert trees were
flIgreed with the tcnderest green and
twined with morning-glories, and In
open giadas the peoples and sand
verbenas spread forth masses OF blue
and gold.
Already on the mosquit.trees tho
hooking birds we're singing. and bright
flashes of tropical color showed where
cardinal and yellow-thrOat passed. The
dew was stili untouched upon the
grass, and yet they hurried on, for
some premonition whispered 10 them
Of evil. and they thought only TO gain
the far pass.
Beyond that lay comparative safety.
but no man knew what dangers lurked
between them and that cleft In the
mountains. Del Rey and his ruralea
OF Bravo and his rebels might be
there. In fact, one OF the other prob
ably was there, and II 30 there would
be a fight. n fight against heavy odds
II 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
a.. .all.n NAA GANwl HE--
threw their bulwark against the dawn;
and all behind was broken hills and
gulches, any one NJ which might give
up armed mea. Far ahead, like a
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 was 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 one defeat into
rowing bandits or vengeful partizans
laying waste the Sonoran ranches a
they fought their way back 10 Chihua
! hua. There were a hundred evi
chances that might befall the fugitives
and while Bud scanned tho country
ahead Gracla cast anxious glanees be
hind.
They are coming" she cried Al
last, as n moving spot appeared In th'
rear. "Oh, there they are'"
Good breathed Hooker. as he
rose In his stirrups and looked.
Why. good?" she demanded. Gu
riously.
"They's only three Of en-" answered
Bud. Il was afraid they might be n
front" he explained. as she gazed a
him with a puzzled smile.
Yes she said; but what will yoS
do II they catch u.s."
They won't catch us" replied Hook
er confidently. Not while I've got M
rife. Ahai" he exclaimed. stili look
ing back. now We know all about it
that sorrel Is Manuel del Rey's!"
And win you kill hlmT' challenged
Gracia, rousing suddenly at the name
Hooker pretended not 20 hear. In
stead, he cooked his eye up az The
eastern mountain. whence from tim
70 time cana mufied riho-shots, an,
turned his horse 10 so. There wa
trouble over there % tho east some
where-Alvarez and his Yaquls. stil
marrying the retroaiing rebels-anl
some OF Il might come their way.
With Rel Rey behind them. evei
though IN sight. he Was the least o
their troubles, and could be- easlll
cared for with a ride shot n the
could not distance him. Hooker knev
that the two rurales with him woul,
not continue the pursuit II their lead
or was out OF the way. so that Il woul,
not be necessary TO iniure more thar
one man.
"Ah. how I hate that mani" rage
Gracia, squirting her horse as shI
scowled back al the galloping De
Rey and his men who were riding on
ward rapidly
FAN right" observed bud with
quhzical smile. I'm have TO kin hin
for you them"
She gazed az him a moment witt
eyes that were big with questioning
but the expression on his rugged fac
bafied her.
Il would not forget H." she cried In
pulsively NO, after all | have suI
fered. I think ! could love the man VII