Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-11-04

fires revealed the sleeping forms OF
men; to their right, somewhere in the
darkness, was the night herd and the
herders. They lay low on their horses
necks, not to cast a silhouette against
the sky, and let Copper Bottom pick
the trail. ~ 80.
With ears that pricked and swiveled.
and delicate nostrils snuffing the Mex
lean faint, he plodded along through
the greasewood, divining by some in
stinct his masters need OF care. The
camp was almost behind them, and
Bud had Strengthened up in the sad
die, when suddenly the watchful Cop
per Bottom jumped and a nan rose up
from the ground.
who goes there?" he mumbled,
swaying sleepily above his gun, and
Hooker refined his horse away before
he gave him an answer .
None of your business" he growled
impatiently. ct am going to the pass"
And as the sentry stared stupidity after
him he rode on through the bushes.
neither hurrying nor hating until he
gained the trail. 90.
Good .luck!" he observed to Gracia,
when the camp was far behind. HE
took me for an officer and nev saw
you at all"
No, I fattened myself on my pony"
answered ,Gracia with a laugh. H
thought you were leading a pack
horse"
Good" chuckled Hooker;. you did
fine! Now, don't say another word
because they'll notice a woman's voice
and II we don't run into some more
of them we'u soon be climbing the
pass" ,.&,
They had passed through some per-
ilous moments, but Gracia had hardly
realized the danger because Of the as
surance Of Hooker, who was careful
not to brighten her unnecessarily. But
it was an assurance which he had not
felt himself. and he was not yet GER
tain Of their safety.
The waning moon came out as they
left the wide valley behind them, and
then 1t disappeared again as they rode
into the gloomy shadows of the An
yon. For an hour or two they plodded
slowly upward, passing through mar
row defles and into moonlit spaces,
and still they did not mount the sum-
NIT. f $ %t S 's"n - s%.%
In the east the dawn began to break
and they spurred on in almost a panic.
The Mexican paisanos count them
selves late IL they do not take the trail
- H,r,, ; r,h n - 'thou ch0,,11 xooot
some struggling party before they
reached the pass? a.
Bud jumped Copper Bottom up a
series Of cat steps; Gracia's roar came
scrambling behind: and then. just as
the boxed walls ended and they gained
alevel spot. they suddenly found them
selves inEthe midst of a camp of Mex
}icans-men, saddles. packs, and rifles.
all scattered; at their feet
."Buenos dias! saluted Bud, as the
blinking men rose 5up from their
blankets. Excuse me, amigos, I am
in a hurry!!"
~ donde' va? "A donde va?" chal.
leneed q bearded man as be sprang up
from his brush shelter. ,>.
'"To the pass, senor," answered Hook
er, still politely, but m%otioning for
Gracia to ride on ahead. "Adios!"
who is that mani" beloved the
bearded leader. turning furiously upon
his followers. Where is my senti-
mel? Stop him!"
But it was too late to stop him. Bud
laid his quirt across the rump Of the
roam 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 a frightened sentinel
Jumped up in their path Bud rode him
down. The man dropped his gun to
escape the fury of the charge and In
a mad clatter they flung themselves
at a rock-slide and scrambled to the
bench above. The path was rocky.
but they pressed forward at a gallop
until, as the sun came up. they beheld
the summit of the pass. So.
1--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
Bottom back On his launches. The
leader OF a long line Of horsemen was
| Just coming up the other side-there
was no .eecape-and then back at the
frightened girl.
keep behind me-" he commanded,
and don't shoot. I'm going to hold
'em up!"
He jumped his horse out to one side
and landed squarely on the rim Of the
| ridge. Gracia drew her horse in be-
hind him and reached for the pistol in
| her holster; then both together they
drew their gums and Bud threw down
on the first man.
go ON" he ordered. motioning him
forward with his head: "pr-r.ronto!"
| He 1erked out his rifle with his left
hand and laid it across his lap. &
Hurry up now" he ragged. as the
startled Mexican halted. go on and
keep q going, and the first man that
makes q break I'll shoot him full OF
holes!"
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 donkeya
and mules and with arms OF every
known make.
It was Just such an army az WA
overrunning all northern Mexico, such
an army as had been levying tribute
on the land for a 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 a giant. pour
ing forth q torrent of oaths and beck
q r - - --I H. 1~~@