The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-11-14
The Land of Broken Promises
(coOyrighs. 1914. By Frank A. Munssy)
CHAPTER xxvII-continued.

VI OduQ4LS anu Ld01OASSs LACA "
human life was nothing and a woman
no more sacred than a brute. At the
pass all trails converged, from the
north and from the south. Not by any
chance could man pass over it in the
daytime without meeting some one on
the way, and If the base revoltosos
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
home 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
his 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 a 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
far away.
When she awoke and found him nod
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
awoke. 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
to suggest the presence OF men.
But now as the velvet night set
tied down upon the land 1t brought
ont the glimmering specks of a hun
dred camp-fres 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.
Lock-" she said. 81 did not want
TO wake you. but the fires have sprung
up everywhere. These last ones are
right in the pass"
when did you see them?" asked
Hooker, his head still heavy with
sleep. Have they been there fong?"
mo; only few minutes she an
swered. "At shutdown saw those over
80 the east-they are along the base
OF that big black mountain-but these
flashed up just now; and see, there
arc more, and more!"
I 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
Eracia in an aWed voice. 'Tnsurrec-
Host"
Like as not" muttered Bud, gazing
rom encampment to encampment
s-But whoever they are" he added
They're no friends of ours. We've got
10 go around them"
"And if we can't?" suggested Ora
Eia-
II reckon we'll have to go, through
them" answered Hooker grimly. 1--WE
don't want to get caught here In the
morning"
~Ride right through their camp
Easped Gracia.
Let the sentries get to Sleep" h
went on, half to himself. Then, jus
before the moon comes up, we'll try Il
edge around them, and if 1t comes II
q showdown, we'll ride for It! Ar
you gamer
He turned to read the answer, am
she drew herself up proudly.
'~Try mel" she challenged, drawini
nearer 70 H1u1 III the udTkn0SS- Anu >
they STOOD side by side, while thei
hands cIasped in promise. Then, a
the night grew darker and no ne1
tires appeared, Hooker saddled up tn
wer+fed horses and they picked thei
way down to the trail.
The first fires we're far ahead, bu
they proceeded at walk, their horse:
Feet falling silently upon the sodde
ground. Not word was spoken an
they halted often to listen, for others
Too. might be abroad. The distan
fires were dying now, except fe7
where men rose to feed them.
The braying of burros came in froI
hhe fats to the right and as the fug
fives drew near the first encampmen
they could hear the voices of the nigh
guards as they rode about the hors
herd Then, as they waited impatien
~, the watch-fres died down, tn
guards 10 longer sang their high IA
Estto, anti even the burros were still.
This was their opportunity If the
were to get through that line of sleeI
Hng men it must be done by stealth
Should they be discovered it woul
maan one man against an army +