Williams news., 1915-01-14

tW Vi Nlf:
 They Thrust and parried No Mors. went on. half to himself. Then. just before the moon comes up, we'll try to edge around them, and if it comes to a showdown. we'll ride for 1t! Arc you gamer"
 He 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 wellfed horses and they picked their 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 few where men rose to feed them.
 The praying 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 inpatient ly, the watch-fres died down, the guards no longer sang their high fai- 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 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 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 silhouette against the sky, and let Copper Bottom pick the trail.
 With ears that pricked end swiveled. , and delicate nostrils snufing the Mex . ican taint, he plodded along through
 the greasewood, divining by some inr
 stinct his masters need of care. The s camp was almost behind them. and ;. Bud had strengthened up in the sad , dle, when suddenly the watchful Cop Ter Bottom jumped and a man rose up v from the ground.
 | "Who goes there?" he mumbled, if swaying sleepily above his gun, and O Hooker refined his horse away before a he gave him an answer. @ None of your business" he growled y impatiently. q am going to the pass
 And as the sentry stared \stupidly aftel 70 him he rode on through the bushes Ia neither hurrying nor halting until hs a gained the trail.
 ,r Good luck!" he observed to Gracia ?. when the camp was far behind. H' "a took me for an officer and never say G. you at all"
 n 'No, I fattened myself on my pony,
 answered Gracia with a laugh. HI
 thought you were leading pacA n horse"
 !. Good" chuckled Hooker; you di '. fine! Now, don't say another word
 because they'll notice . woman's voic and if we don't run into some nor ,s of them we'll soon be climbing sn il. pass" AA' They had passed through some pe'
 ilous moments, but GraciA had hardl n' realized the danger Aecause of the q ae s,rance of Hooker, who was c4refu not to frighten her unnecessarily. bu
 1t was an assurance which he nad DC ca felt himself, and he was not yet oe ~ tain of their safety.
 The waning moon came out a the 'n' left the wide valley behind them. m or then 1t disappeared again a they rod 'so into the gloomy shadows Of the ca 'se yon. For an hour or two they plodde 'ro slowly upward. passing through m
 row defiles and into moonlit space ne and still they did not mount the sur eo init.
 Fst In the east the dawn began to bres
 and they spurred on in almost panl 'ed The Mexican paisanos count thel ec- selves late if they do not take the trs
 at sunup-what if they should me Ing some struggling party before tn' nt- reached the pass? ed. Bud jumped Copper Bottom up got series of cat steps; Gracia's roan car
 scrambling behind; and then. just ra- the boxed walls ended and they gain a level spot. they suddenly found the gh. selves in the midst of camp of Ms We icans-men, saddles. packs. and rift the all scattered at their feet
 "Buenos dias!" saluted Bud. as t