The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-09-22
CHAPTER XIV.
The Dawn.


Juan Garcia proved to be a good
guide, and he saved the refugees many
miles on their road to the Rio Grande.
But every farm and every village was
a menace, and at first they were forced
to 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 it not been for Father O'Malley
and Dolores, who were unused to the
saddle and unable to maintain the pace
Juan set for them.
About midnight the party stopped on
the crest of q f1inty ridge to give their
horses breath and to estimate their
progress. The night was fine and clear !;
outlined against the sky were the
stalks of countless sotol-plantS stand
ing slim and bare, like the upright
lances of an army at rest; ahead the
road meandered across a mesa, COW
cred with grama grass and black, form
less blots of shrubbery.
Father O'Malley groaned and shift
ed his weight. "Juan tells me Wen
never reach Romero by morning, at this
rate" he said; and Dave was forced to
agree. 81 think you and he and AIaire
had better go on and leave Dolores and
me to follow as best we can"
Dolores plaintively seconded this
suggestion. 81 would rather be burned
at the stake than suffer these agonies, -
she confessed. my bones are broken.
The devil is in this horse" She began
to weep softly. go, sonora. Save
yourselfI It is my accused fat stom-
ach that binders me. Tell Benito that
1 persisted breathing his name, and see
to 1t, when he remarries, that he retains
none of my treasures"
Alaire treasured her by saying: 1--WE
won't leave you. Be brave and make
the best of it."
"Yes, grit your teeth and hold on
Dave echoed. wen manage to make
1t somehow
But progress was far slower than it
should have been, and the elder woman
continued to lag behind, voicfng her
distress in groans and lamentations.
The priest, who was made of sterner
stuff, did his best to bear his tortures
cheerfulIy.
In spite of their efforts the first rosy
herald Of dawn discovered them still a
long way from the river and just enter
ing a more thickly settled country.
Daylight came swiftly, and Juan finally
gave them warning.
I'VE can't go on; the danger is too
great" he told them. IF the soldiers
are still in Romero, what then?"
'Have you no friends hereabouts
who would take US in ?" Dave inquired.
The Mexican shook his head.
Dave considered for a moment. ''You
must hide here" he told his compan-
ions, while ride on to Romero and
see what can be done. 1 suspect
Blanco's troops have left, and in that
case everything Will be all right
Suppose they haven't?" Alaire in
Quired. All night she had been in the
highest Of moods, and had steadilySre-
fused to take their perils seriously.
Now her smile chased the frown from
her husbands face.
well, perhaps I'll have breakfast
with Them" he laughed.
"Silly. I won't let you co." she told
him, firmly; and, reading the express
sion In her face. he felt a dizzy won
der. ''We'l find nice secluded spot
then Wen sit down and wait for night
to come. Wen pretend we're having a
picnic"
Dolores sighed at the suggestion,
THAT would be heaven, but there can
be no sitting down for me-"
Garcia, who had been standing In his
stirrups scanning the long, fat road
ahead, spoke sharply: 'tCaramba !
Here come those very soldiers now
Seer
Far away. but evidently approaching
at smart gait. was body of mounted
men, After one look at them Dave
cried:
'Into the brush. quickl'' He hurried
his companions ahead Of him, and
when they had gone perhaps q hun
dred yards from the road he took
Iuan's repeater, saying: Ride I'm 9
J little way farther and wait. Tn going