Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-11-28
CHAPTER XVIII.

The high pass and the ineurrectos
we're behind them now and the rolling
plains Of Aqua Negra we're at their
feet. To the northeast the smoke ban
ners of the Gadsden smelters lay like
ribbons across the sky, and the line
was not far away.
Yet. as they came down from the
mountains, Bud and Gracia fell silent
and slackened their slashing pace. The
time for parting was near, and part
ings are always sad.
But ten miles across the plain lay
Gadsden and Phil-Phil to whom Ora
cha was promised. There had been no
thoughts of him from the time they
sat together under the horse-blankets
waiting for the rain to pass until now
that the dangers were virtually over.
and but short time more would place
them beyond the reach of either ru-
rales or rebels. Bud thought of the
duty he owed his pardner, even though
that pardner had played him false.
Great as was his longing for Gracia,
he could not forget that duty. Their
companionship had been but a thing
to forget IL he could, or at best he
could only remember the sweetness
of it. and must forget the dreams he
had dreamed as he watched beside
Gracia in the hills. He was taking her
to Phil. and all else must be sacrificed
for duty.
Bud looked far out across the valley
to where a train pulled in from the
south, and the sight of It made him IN
easy. He watched still as it lay at the
station and, after a prolonged stare in
the direction of Aqua Negra, he refined
sharply to the north.
what is it?" asked Gracia, coming
out of her reverie.
"Oh. nothing" answered Bud, slump
ing down in his saddle. Il see the rail-
road is open again-they might be
somebody up there looking for u.s."
You mean"
well. say a bunch Of rurales."
He turned still farther to the north
as he spoke and spurred his 5aded
horse on. Gracia kept her roam be
side him, but he took no notice. ex
cept as he scanned the line with his
bloodshot eyes. He was handbook
ing man now, with a rough stubble Of
beard on his face and sullen set tc
his Jaw. AS two horsemen rode out
from distant Aqua Negra he turned
and glanced at Gracia.
Seems like we been on the rur
ever since we left Fortuna" he sait
with a rueful smile. Are you goot
for just one more?"
what is it .now?" she inquired
pulling herself together with an effort
Are those two men coming out II
meet us? Do you think they'd stoI
us?"
That's about our luck" returned
Hooker. But when we dip out OF sigh
in this swale here wen turn north ant
hit for the line"
"AIl right" she agreed. MY horse
is tired, but I'll do whatever you say
Bud"
She tried to catch his eyes at this
but he seemed lost in contemplation o
the horsemen.
"Them's rurales," he said at last
J land heading straight for us-bu
, we've come too far to get caught now
Come on!" he added bruskly. and wen
galloping up the swale.
For two miles they rode mp til
wash, their heads below the level Of tn
, plain, but as Bud emerged at the mout
} of the gulch and looked warily owe
: the cut bank he suddenly reached TO
, his rife and measured the distance I
? the line.
, They was too foxy for me-" he mu
tered. as Gracia looked over at tn
, approaching rurales. But can stan
'em on" he added, so you go ahead.
mol" she cried. coming out In ope
rebellion. We'll. won't leave you
. that's ALT" she declared. as he turne
I to command her. ~0h. come alonl