Gilpin observer., 1914-12-24
feet failing silently upon the sodden

ground. Not a word was spoken and
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 as the fugi-
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-fires died down, the
guards no longer sang their high fal
setto, and even the burros were still.
This was their opportunity. If they
were to get through that line of Sleep
ing men 1t must be done by stealth.
Should they be discovered it would
mean one man against an army to
protect the woman, and the odds, great
as they were. must be taken II need
be.
1t 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 a 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 snuff1ng the Mex
lean taint, 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 man rose up
from the ground.
Who goes there?" he mumbled,
swaying sleepily above his gun, and
Hooker reined his horse away before
he gave him an answer.
None of your business" he growled
impatiently. II am going to the pass"
And as the sentry stared stupidly after
him he rode on through the bushes,
neither hurrying nor halting 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 were leading pack
horse"
Good" chuckled Hooker; you did
fine. Now, don't say another word
because they'll notice a 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 frighten her unnecessarily But
1t 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 1t disappeared again as they rode
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.
In the east the dawn began to break
and they spurred on in almost a panic
The Mexican paisanos count them
selves late II they do not take the trail
at sunup-what If they should meet
some struggling party before they
reached the pass?
Bud jumped Copper Bottom up
series Of cat steps; Gracia's roam came
scrambling behind; and then. just as
the boxed walls ended and they gained
level spot, they suddenly found them.
selves in the midst OF a camp OF Mex
icans-men saddles. packs. and rifles.
all scattered at their feet.
"Buenos dias!" saluted Bud. as the
blinking men rose up from their
blankets. Excuse me, amigos, am
In hurry"
"A donde va? donde va?" chal.
Ienged bearded man as he sprang up
from his brush shelter.
ITO the pass, senor," answered Hook.
er, still politely, but motioning for
Gracia to ride on ahead. "Adios!"
who is that MANI" beloved the
bearded leader, turning furiously upon
his followers. Where is my senti-
mel? Stop him''
But 1t was too late to stop him. Bud
laid his Quirt across the rump OF the
roam and spurred forward In dash for
cover They whisked around the point
of a hill as the first scattered shots
rang out; and, as a frightened sentinel
jumped up In their path Bud rode him
down. The man dropped his gun to
escape the fury Of the charge and In
q mad clatter they flung themselves
at rock-slide and scrambled to the
bench above. The path was rocky,
but they pressed forward at gallop
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