The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-12-17
CHAPTER XVIII.

The high pass and the insurrectos
were behind them now and the rolling
plains OF Aqua Negra were at their
feet. To the northeast the smoke ban
ners OF the Gadsden shelters 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 sIackened 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 Gra-
ella was promised. There had been no
thoughts OF him from the time they
| sat together under the blankets
waiting for the rain to pass until now
that the dangers were virtually over.
and but a short time more would place
them beyond the reach OF either ru-
ralea or rebels. Bud thought of tho
duty he owed his pardner. even though
that pardner had played him false
| Great as was his longing for Gracla,
he could not forget that duty. Their
eompanionship had been but a thing
to forget II he could, or at best he
cUasd only remember the sweetness
OF II, and must forget the dreams he
had dreamed as no watched beside
Gracia In the hills. He was taking her
10 Phil, and all else must be sacrificed
for duty.
bud looked far out across the valley
to whore train puffed In from the
south. and the sight OF It made him un'
easy He watched still as It lay at the
station and. after prolonged stare in
the direction OF Aqua Negra, he refined
sharply to the north,
"What is IT." asked Graeia, coming
out OF her reverie.
"oh. nothing" answered Bud, slump
Ing down In his saddle, II see the rail
road is open again-they might bs
somebody up there looking for us,
you mean"
well, say bunch OF rurales,"
. He turned stir farther to the nortl
B as he spoke and spurred his iadeC
horse on Gracia kept her roam be
: side him, but he took no notice. ex
r cept as he scanned the line with hi
bloodshot eyes. He was handbook
9 ing man now, with rough stubble o
! beard on his face and sullen set 4
!, his jaw. As two horsemen rode OF
from distant Aqua Negra he turne'
d and glanced at Gracla
q Seems like we been on the rul
r ever since we left Fortuna" he sal
L with rueful smile. Are you goo
= for Just one more?"
4 what is II now. she inquiries
n pulling herself together with an effort
o Are those two men coming out I
n meet us2 Do you think they'd sto
8 us7"
Q That's about our luck, returne
!. Hooker. "But when we dip out Of sigh
y In this swale here well turn north an
d bit for the line"
can right" she agreed. MY hors
d Is tired. but IN do whatever you sa'
Bud"
<. She tried to catch his eyes at thi
N but he seemed lost in contemplation {
lie the horsemeh,
Is "Thems rurales," he said az las
e and heading straight for us-hs
lie we've come too far to get caught nov
Come on" he added bruskly, and vel
d. gslloping up the swale.
ID For two miles they rode up Il
wash, their heads below the level OF n
10 plain. but as Bud emerged at the mou'
10 Of the guleh and looked warily ov'
10 the cut bank he suddenly reached 4
in his rifle and measured the distance
ey the line.
m They was too foxy for me-" he mt
tered. as GraciR looked over at Il
m approaching rurales- but can star
Il EN- or" he added. $50 you so ahead
IL Net" she cried. coming ont In op'
rebellion. Well. I won't leave you
be that's ALI" she declared. as he turn
nd to command her. "oh- onna slor