The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-11-13
Wopyright. eM. by Frank A. Munsey.l
CHAPTER xxvil-contlru.d

nnlah lie was nothing and a woman
no more sacred than brute, At the
pass all trails converged, from the
north and from the south. Not by anv
cnance could man pass over II In the
daytime without meeting some one on
the way, and If the base reyoltosos
once set eyes on Gracia it would take
more than a nod to restrain them.
SO, in a sheltered ravine they sought
cover until it was dark, and while
Gracia slept, the heavy-headed Bud
watched the plain from. the heights
above.
AS he watched he dreamed of a
nome in which this woman now sleep
ing beside him was the queen. He
dreamed of years to come with IN
bounded happiness throughout all Of
them. Thoughts of Phil and duty to
MS pardner were far away. Nothing
On the plain below served to distract
him from this dream of happiness.
AS far as he could see there was
nothing that savored of danger for
the woman in his keeping. There
were no sounds or signs of either
federal or revolutionary troops, from
both of which they were fleeing, and
from both Of which he must guard
her. Again they were in world that
was all their own, an Eden with but
one man and one woman.
For an hour and more he watched
and dreamed, and with the dreams
came the desire for sleep, the cry of
nature for rest. Gracia stirred, then
spoke softly to him, calling him by
name. and her voice was as music
Ear away.
When she awoke and found him nod
ding Gracia insisted upon taking his
place. Now that she had been re-
freshed her dark eyes were bright and
sparkling, but Bud could hardly see.
The long watching by night and by day
had left his eyes bloodshot and swol-
len, with lids that dropped in spite of
him. If he did not sleep now he
might doze In the saddle later, or ride
blindly into some rebel camp; so he
made her promise to call him and lay
down to rest until dark.
The stars were all out when he
Rwoke, startled by her hand on his
hair, but she treasured him with a
word and led him up the hill to their
lookout. 1t was then that he under.
stood her silence. In the brief hours
during which he had slept the de.
serted country seemed suddenly to
have come to life.
BY daylight there had been nothing
30 suggest the presence Of men.
But now as the velvet night set.
eIsd down upon the land it brought
out the glimmering specks Of a hun
Ared camp-fires to the east and to the
north. But the fires to which Gracia
pointed were set fairly in their trail.
and they barred the way to Gadsden.
Look" she said. Il did not want
20 wake you, but the fires have sprung
mn everywhere. These last ones are
right In the pass
"When did you see them?" asked
Hooker, his head still heavy with
xleep. Have they been there long?"
"No; only a few minutes" she an
swered. "At shutdown saw those over
no the east-they are along the base
NJ that big black mountain-but these
dashed I'D just now; and see, there
are more, and more!"
Some outfit coming in from the
north" said Bud. They've crossed
over the pass and camped at the first
water this side
"Who do you think they are?" asked
cr.c,a In an awed voice. Insured
tos?"
s-om encampment to encampment.
s.pnt whoever they are" he added.
~they're no friends OF ours We've got
tn 20 around them"
"Aud if we can't?" suggested Ora
81 reckon we'll have to 90 through,
then" answered Hooker grimly' We
$500 want to get caught here in the
morning. Att, .,
gasped Gracia.
let the sentries get to sleep he
vent on, half to himself. Then, just
Soto-e the moon comes up, we'll try to
odao around them, and if 1t comes to
showdown, we'll ride for it! Are
you game" u ,,a
He turned to read the answer, and
.ho drew herself up proudly
"Try me-" she challenged drawing
o.ror 70 him in the darkness. And so
.sov stood side by side. while their
sands clasped in promise. Then as
49, night grew darker and no new
Ares appeared, Hooker saddled up the
a,,.sed horses and they picked their
nav down to the trail. -.
nna first fires were far ahead but
sasy - proceeded at a walk their horses