The Ordway new era., 1915-01-29

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 fats 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-fires died down. the
guards no longer sang their high fal-
setto. and even the burros were still.
This was their opportunity. II they
we're 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.
7 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 q silhouette against
the sky. and let Copper Bottom pick
the trail.
With ears that ptcked and swiveled,
and delicate nostrils suuffing the Mex
lean taint, he piodded along through
the greasewood. divining by some In
stinct his masters need Of care. The
camp wns almost behind them. and
Bud had Strengthened up In the sad
die. when suddenly the watchful Cop
FER Bottom Jumped and man rose up
from the ground.
who goes there?" he .numbled.
swayins sleepily above his gun. and
Hooker refined 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 stupidity after
him he rode on through the bushes.
neither hurrylng nor hating until he
gained the trail.
Good luck!" he observed to Gracia.
when the camp was far behind. He
took me for an onicer and never saw
you at all"
NO. i nattened myself on my pony"
answered Gracia with laugh. He
thought you were leading pack
horse"
Good" chuckled Hooker; "you did
finc! Now. don't say another word
because they'll notice woman's voice
and II we don't run into some more
Of them we'll soon be climbing the
pass"
They had passed through some per-
ilous moments. hut Gracia had hardly
realized the danger because Of the a.
surance Of Hooker. who was careful
not to frighten her unnecessarily. But
II was an assurance which he had not
felt himself. and he was not yet Ger
tain Of their safety. M
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-
init. 4tE
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 a
series of cat steps: Gracia's roam came
scrambling behind; and then. Just 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." saluted Bud, as the
blinking men rose up from their
blankets. Excuse me. amigos. / am
in hurry"
lenged bearded man as he sprang up
from his brush shelter.
ITO the pass, senor," answered Hook
ef, still politely. but motioning for
Grac.a to ride on ahead. "Adios!"
who is that MANI beloved the
bearded leader. turning furiously upon
his followers. Where Ii 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 q hill as the first scattered shots
rang out: and. ms 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
= mad clatter they flung themselves
at a rock.slide and scrambled to the
bench above. The path was rocky.
but they pressed forward at sallop
until. as the sun came up. they beheld
the summit of the pass.
I'VE win!" cried Bud. as he spurred
up the last incline.
AS he looked over the top he ex-
rloded in an oath and jerked Copper