The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-06-24

dred camp-fres to the east and to thu
north. But the fires to which Graci;
pointed were set fairly in their trail
and they barred the way to Gadsden.
| Look" she said. 81 did not wan
to wake you, but the fires have sprung
up everywhere. These last ones arr
right in the pass
| When did you see them" asked
Hooker, his head still heavy with
sleep. Have they been there long,
No; only few minutes" she an
swered. AT shutdown | saw those ovel
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 frs,
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 encaInpment
But whoever they are" he added
they're no friends of ours. We've 60,
to go around them"
And if we cant?" suggested Ora.
cha.
Il reckon we'll have to go through
thsn," 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" he
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
flres 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
1eet falling silently upon the sodden
ground Not word was spoken and
they halted often to listen, for others,
100, might be abroad The distant
fres were dying now, except a few
where men rose to feed them.
The braying of burros came in from
the flats to the right and as the fugi-
tlves drew near the first encampment
they could hear the voices Of the night
guards as they rode about the horse
nerd. Then, as they waited inpatient
ly, the watch-fires died down, the
guards no longer sang their high fall
setto, and even the burros we're 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 If 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 venture.
AT their left the last embers of the
nres revealed the sleeping forms Of
men; to their right, somewhere in the
darkness, was the night herd and tn
herders. They lay low on their horses
necks, not to cast silhouette against
the sky, and let Copper Bottom pick
the trail
With ears that pricked and swiveled,
and delicate nostrils snuffing the Mex.
lean faint, he plodded along through
the greasewood, divining by some in
stlnct his masters need of care. The
camp was almost behind them, and
bud had Strengthened up in the sad
Ole, when suddenly the watchful Cop
per Bottom jumped and a man rose up
from the ground.
Who goes there?" he mumbled.
sWaying sleepily above his gun. and
Hooker refined his horse away before
ne gave him an answer. !.
None of your business he growled
lmpatiently. Il am going to the pass"
And as the sentry stared stupidity after
him he rode on through the bushes.
neither hurrying nor hating 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 laugh. He
thought you were leading a pack
horse"