The Huttig news., 1914-11-14

went on. half to himself Then, just before the moon comes up, we'll try to "dge around them, and if it comes to q showdown, we'll ride for 1t! Are you gamer"
 lie turned to read the answer, and she drew herself up proudly
 Try mel 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 tkeir way down to the trail
 The first fires were far ahead. but they proceeded at walk. their horses feet falling silently upon the sodden ground. Not word was spoken and they halted often to listen, for others, too, might be abroad The distant fires were dying now, except a few where men rose to feed them.
 The praying of burros came in from the Hats 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 inpatient l y, the wateh-fires died down. the guards no longer sang their hifSa fal- setto, and even the burros were still
 This was their opportunity If they were to get through that line of ( aep- ing men it must be done by St t-,lth. ShOJId fhPV ho dicoorarad ;t mean one man against an army to protect the woman, and the odds, great as they were. must be taken if need be-
 It 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 snuffing the Mex ican 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 de. when suddenly the watchful Cop per Bottom jumped and a man rose up from the ground
 hn fhAy. l.. swaying sleepily above his gun. and Hooker reined his horse away before he gave him an answer.
 None of your business" he growled impatiently. T 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.
 No, flattened myself on my pony" answered Gracia with a laugh. He thought you were leading a pack horse"
 poOu. 1iOOhtIt gOu uiu fine! Now, don't say another word because they'll notice woman's veice 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 cer- tain of their safety.
 The waning moon came out as they left the wide valley behind them, and then it disappeared again as they rode into the gloomy shadows of the ean- 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- init.
 CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSlIE