The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-10-25
CHAPTER XIV.



Juan Garcia proved to be q good
guide, and he saved the refugees many
miles en- the!. read &c the Rio Grande.
But every farm and every village was
a menace, and at first they were forced
10 make numerous detours. As the
night grew older. however, they rode a
straIghter course, urging their horses
TO the limit. hoping against hope to
reach the border before daylight over
took them. This they might have done
had II not been for Father OMalley
and Dolores. who were unused to the
saddle and unable to maintain the pace
Juan ret for them.
About midnight the party stopped on
the crest OF a finty ridge to give their
horses breath and to estimate their
progress. The night was fine and clear I;
outlined against the sky were the
stalks Of countless sotol-plants stand
ing slim and bare, like the upright
lances Of In army at rest: ahead the
road meandered across a mesa, COW
cred with grama grass and black, forM-
less blots Of shrubbery.
II Father O'Malley groaned and shift
ed his weight. "Juan tells me well
never reach Romero by morning. at this
rate, nc suid anu Dave was forced to
agree. II think you and he and Alaire
had better 80 on and leave Dolores and
me to follow as best we can"
G0:0Tss piaintiveiy seconded this
suggestion. IL would rather be burned
nt the stake than suffer these agonies,"
she confessed. my bones are broken.
The devil IL In this horse" She began
to weep softly. go. senora. Save
yourselfI 1t Ia my accursed fat stom-
sch that hinders me. Tell Benito that
l persisted breathing his name, and see
to 1t, when he remarrles. that he retains
none Of my treasures"
Alaire treasured her b. saying: 1--WE
won't leave you. Be brave and make
the best Of It"
Yes, sr4t Jour teeth and hold on
Dave echoed. Wen manage to make
II somehow"
But progress wal far slower than II
should have been. and the elder woman
continued to lag behind, voicing her
distress In groans and lamentations.
The priest, who was made Of sterner
stun. did his best to hear his tortures
cheerfully.
In spite OF their efforts the nfst rosy
herald of dawn discovered them stfil q
long way from the river and Just enter
tnE q more thickly settled country.
Daylight came swiftly, and Juan finally
gave them warning.
we can't 90 on; the danger IN too
xreat." he told them. IF the soldiers
ARE still IN Romero. what thcnfs
'Havo you no friends hereabouts
would take us in T Dave inquired.
The Mexican shook his head.
Dave considered FOR Z moment. lyon
isnssst hide here he told his compan-
ions. while i ride on to Romero and
>see what can be done. I suspect
IBlancc's troops have left. and in that
case everything win be all right
Suppose they haven'tr" Alaire In
quired. All night she had been n the
pightest Of moods, and had steadily re-.
fuaSd % take their perils seriously.
Now her SMILE chased the frown from
her husbands face.
swell, perhaps I'll have breakfast
With them be laughed
~eillys I won't let ron 60" she told
him. firmly ana reading Inc express
ufon n her nee. hs felt Z dl8zy won-
DER wen md . nice secluded spot;
hen ven 1T down and wait for night
% come. Wen pretend we're having :
ptcnic>"
Dolores sighed At the suggestion.