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

The braying of burros came In from
the flats to the right and as the fugt-
tives drew near the first encampment
they could hear the voices OF the night |
guards as they rode about the horse |
herd. Then, as they waited impatient
ly, the watch-flres died down, the |
guards no longer sang their high tal-
setto, and even the burros we're still
This was their opportunity. II they
were to get through that line OF sleep |
ing men 1t must be done by stealth.
Should they be discovered 1t would
mean one man against an army 70
protect the woman, and the odds, great
as they were, must be taken If need
be.
II was approaching the hour of mid
night, and as their horses twitched res
lively at the bits they gave them the
rein and rode ahead at venture.
At their left the last embers Of the
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
With ears that pricked and swiveled,
and delicate nostrils snufting 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 man 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. 81 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.
Good luck!" he observed to Gracia,
when the camp was far behind. He
took me for an officer and never saw
you at ALL"
mo, flattened myself on my pony"
answered Gracia with laugh. He
thought you we're leading a pack
horse"
Good" chuckled Hooker; you did
fine, Now, don't say another word
because they'll notice woman's voice
and If we don't run into some more
of them we'll 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
II 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 it disappeared again as they rode
Z into the gloomy shadows Of the can
, yon. For an hour or two they plodded
: slowly upward, passing through mar
, row defiles and into moonlit spaces
, and still they did not mount the sum
NIT.
Q In the east the dawn began to breal
5 and they spurred on in almost panic
a The Mexican paisanos count them
r selves late If they do not take the trai
: at sunup-what If they should NEE
s some struggling party before the!
; reached the pass?
series Of cat steps; Gracia's roam cam
q scrambling behind; and then, just a
|. the boxed walls ended and they game,
: a level spot, they suddenly found them
t selves in the midst OF a camp Of Me1
l. icans-men, saddles, packs, and rifles
e all scattered at their feet.
a "Buenos dias!" saluted Bud, as tn
|. blinking men rose up from thei
blankets. Excuse me, amigos. I ar
t in hurry!"
o. "a donde va? A donde var" cha
q lenged bearded man as he sprang u
from his brush shelter.
d ITO the pass, senor." answered Hool
h er, still politely, but motioning 70
J" Gracia to ride on ahead. "Adios!"
\. who is that man?" beloved tn
n bearded leader. turning furiously upo
10 his followers. Where is my sent
,e mel? Stop him!"
"a But It was too late to stop him. Blu
laid his quirt across the rump of tn
IL roam and spurred forward In a dash fc
ID cover. They whisked around the poir
At of a hill as the first scattered sho,
rang out; and. as a frightened sentin,
ID jumped up in their path Bud rode hi
C. down. The man dropped his gun
escape the fury of the charge and
10 a mad clatter they flung themselvs
II at a rock-slide and scrambled to II
A bench above. The path was rock
of but they pressed forward at a gallo
until. as the sun came up, they behel
A. the summit of the pass.
I'VE win!" cried Bud. as he squire
h. up the last incline.
ye As he looked over the top he e
he ploded in an oath and jerked Copp'