Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-10-08


where men rose TO feed them
The braying OF burros came in from
the fats 70 the right and as the fugi-
tiyes drew near the first eneampment
they could hear the voices OF the night
guards as they rode about the horse
herd. Then, as they waited inpatient
ly, the watch-fires died down, the
guards no longer sang their high fall
setto. and even the burros were still.
This was their opportunity. II they
were to get through that line OF sleep
ing men it 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 il 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 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
lean faint, he plodded along through
the CROSSWORD, 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 refined his horse away before
he gave him an answer.
None of your business" he growled
impatiently. 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. f1attened myself on my pony "
answered Gracia with laugh. He
thought you were leading a pack
horse"
Good" chuckled Hooker; you did
fine! Now, don't say another word
because they'll notice 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 brighten her unnecessarily. But
T IT 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 it disappeared again as they rode
into the gloomy shadows Of the can
Won. 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 panic.
The Mexican paisanos count them
selves late if 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 a
series of cat steps; Gracia's roam came
scrambling behind; and then. 3ust as
the boxed walls ended and they gained
a level spot, they suddenly found them
selves in the midst Of camp OF Mex
icans-men, saddles, packs, and rifles
all scattered at their feet.
"Buenos dias!" saIuted Bud, as the
blinking men rose up from theil
blankets. Excuse me, amigos, | an
in a hurry!"
"a donde va? A donde var chal
lenged bearded man as he sprang III
from his brush shelter
ITO the pass, senior" answered HOOK
or. still politely, but mot1oning FOL
Gracia to ride on ahead. "Adios!"
"Who is that MANI" beloved the
bearded leader, turning furiously upor
his followers. where is my senti
mel? Stop him!"
But it was too late to stop him. But
laid his quirt across the rump of the
roam and spurred forward in dash fol
cover. They whisked around the poin
Of a hill as the first scattered shots
rang out; and, as frightened sentine
Jumped up in their path Bud rode hin
down. The man dropped his gun II
escape the fury Of the charge and II
mad clatter they flung themselves
at a rock-slide and scrambled to thu
bench above. The path was rocky
but they pressed forward at a gallol
until, as the sun came up, they oehel'
the summit of the pass.
1--WE win!" cried Bud, as he spurre'
up the last incline.
AS he looked over the top he eS
ploded in an oath and jerked Cope
BOTTOM back on his launches. III
leader of long line of horsemen wa
i,st coming ND the other side-ther