Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-11-28
copyright. 1914. by Frank A MunseyJ
CHAPTER XxVII-Continued.

10y lub SlSio bhC lelllu eAhNe"N "'%S AA-
of bandits and ladrones, men to whom
human life was nothing and 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 a man pass over 1t in the
daytime without meeting some one on
the way. and II the base revoltosos
once set eyes on Gracia 1t 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 I'M
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
ding Gracia insisted upon taking his
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 6
word and led him up the hill to theil
lookout. It was then that he under
stood her silence. In the brief hours
during which he had slept the de
serted country seemed suddenly II
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 brough
out the glimmering specks Of a hun
dred camp-fires to the east and to thu
north. But the fires to which Gracii
pointed were set fairly in their trail
and they barred the way to Gadsden.
Look" she said. Il did not wan
to wake you, but the fires have sprunI
up everywhere. These last ones ar
right in the pass"
|, when did you see them?" aske
. Hooker, his Head still heavy witt
, sleep. Have they been there long?
mo; only a few minutes" she ar
swered. AT shutdown saw those owe
to the east-they are along the bas
, Of that big black mountain-but thes
, flashed up just now; and see. Their
, are more, and more!"
Some outfit coming in from tn
north" said Bud. They've crosse
|. over the pass and camped at the fri
+ water this side"
K who do you think they are?" aske
q Gracia In an awed voice. "Insurre'
tcs?"
Like as not" muttered Bud, gain
d from encampment to encampmen
z But whoever they are" he adde,
l. -they're no friends Of ours We've q
g to go around them"
"And IL we can't?" suggested Or,
cha.
n 81 reckon we'll have to go througl
J. then" answered Hooker grimly. Wv
q don't want to get caught here In Ii
b morning"
3, ride right through their camp
1t gasped Gracia-
Let the sentries get to Sleep"
went on. half to himself. Then. 5u
y before the moon comes up, we'll try
r edge around them. and II It comes
% q showdown, wen ride for It! Al
you gamer"
He turned to read the answer. Al
Of she drew herself up proudly.
~ Try mel" she challenged, drawn
X nearer to him tn the darkness. And
n. they stood. side by side. while the
hands clasped in promise. Then.
" the night grew darker and no ne
re fires appeared. Hooker saddied up Z
at wellfed horses and they picked ths
u way down to the trail
The first fres were far ahead. b
40 proceeded It walk. their hors'