The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1914-08-19
downright, 1914, by Frank A. Munsey.)
Continued from Page p

might QOZe III Iilc SduulS ldtCi, VI iioS
blindlv into some rebel camp; so he
made her promise to call him and lay
down to rest until dark.
The stars were all cut 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 tho velvet night set
tied down upon the land 1t brought
out the glimmering specks of a hun
dred camp-fres to the east and to the
north. But the fires to which Gracia
pointed we're set fairly in their trail,
and they barred the way to Gadsden.
Look" she said. Il 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 long,"
mo; only a few minutes" she an
swered. "At shutdown saw those over
to the east-they are along the base
Of that big black mountain-but these
flashed up just now; and see, there
are more, and more!"
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
Gracia in an awed voice. "Insurrec.
tos?"
Like as not" muttered Bud, gazing
from encampment to encampment
But whoever they are" he added
they're no friends of ours. We've got
to 60 around them
And If we can't?" suggested Ora
cha.
Il reckon we'll have to go through
then" answered Hooker grimly. I'VE
don't want to get caught here in the
morning."
Ride right through their camp?'
gasped Gracia.
LET the sentries get to sleep" az
went on, half to himself. Then, Just
before the moon comes up, we'll try to
edge around them, and if it comes to
showdown, we'll ride for it! Are
you gamer"
He turned to read the answer, and
she drew herself up proudly.
TRY me!' she challenged, drawing
nearer to him in the darkness. And SO
they stood, side by side, while their
hands clasped in, promise. Then, as
the night grew darker and no new
fires appeared, Hooker saddled up the
well-fed horses and they picked their
way down to the trail.
The first fires were far ahead, but
they proceeded at walk, their horses
feet falling silently upon the solder
ground. Not a word was spoken ant
they halted often to listen, for others
too, might be abroad. The distant
fires were dying now, except few
where men rose to feed them.
The braying of burros came In from
the flats to the right and Is the fugi
tives 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 impatient
i ly, the watch-fires died down, thu
guards no longer sang their high fal
setto, and even the burros were STILL
This was their opportunity. If the.
were to get through that line Of sleep
ing men it must be done by stealth
Should they be discovered it woul'
mean one man against en- army t
protect the woman, and the odds, grea
as they were, must be taken if nee
be.
1t was approaching the hour of mic
night, and as their horses twitched res
lively at the bits they gave them til
rein and rode ahead at venture.
At their left the last embers of tn
fires revealed the sleeping forms {
men; to their right, somewhere in tn
darkness, was the night herd and tn
herders. They lay low on their horses
necks, not to cast a silhouette agains
the sky, and let Copper Bottom pic
the trail.
With ears that pricked and swivelev
and delicate nostrils snuffing the Me
lean faint he plodded along throug
, the CROSSWORD divining by some i
!, stinct his masters need of care. TT
camp was almost behind them, ar
Bud had Strengthened up in the sa
die, when suddenly the watchful Co
per Bottom jumped and man rose |
from the ground.
"Who goes there?" he humble
swaying sleepily above his gun, al
n Hooker reined his horse away befo
he gave him an answer.
None of your business" he growi'