The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1896-05-21
HEROIC AMAZONS.
Cuban Women Who Fight for Their
Country.
Splendid Courage of One Woman Who Faced
an Army-Her Dying Act Was the
Killing Of Soldier.
HEROIC AMAZONS.

1H0 OuUhn diudAOuS I6CGDtlN nave
been playing prominent part in the
fights between the insurgents and the
Spanish. These women, many Of
whom have husbands in the ranks OF
the army of Cuba, have exhibited upor
frequent occasions courage endurance,
and fighting skill to greater extent
than very many of the men.
The amazons of Cuba are not, as a
rule, remarkable for personal beauty
or cleanliness. Anything in the ma
ture Of dress does not prevent them
from fighting. AS rule, they are
strong OF limb and quick Of action, ,and
able to use maChete, rifle, revolver,
or knife with the best of the men.
They are to be found in nearly all the
insurgent camps and are increasing in
numbers. When not otherwise en-
gagged, they tend the sick and wound
ed, mend and wash clothes, or cock
the meat, when fires are permitted anu
food is procurable. When regular sup
plies are inadequate to the demand,
which is not intrequent, the amszons
chew sugar cane, and are thankfol to
get it, and ride or tramp pluckiy
along with the regular Cuban troops
II there IS fighting to do, they go into
the thick Of it with energy and dash.
There il, or was, one woman, at least,
among them who may deserve more
than passing notice. She came to the
front in recent engagement between
he Spanish troops and a number of
insurgents at Olayita. The lighting
began with the usual wild firing at
long range, but gradually the combat
ants, few in number on either side, by
force of circumstances got nearer to
each other, and then, when they be
gan to see the whites of each others
ey es, The insurgents went to cover and
the triumphant soldiers dashed on
ward in pursuit But all the insur-
gents did not melt away. One of tho m
a tall, fine looking woman, bright of
eye, well-built and looking like he
roine from the top of her head to the
soles Of her naked feet, stood her
ground bravely, calling first taunting-
Iy and then in grand despair upon
her fleeing companions to fight like
men. They paid no heed to her, and
the Spaniards crept closer and closer
from bush to bush.
Then this woman determined tC
show men how Cuban amazons can
die. With her back against tree she
steadily loaded and fred her carbine,
taking the cartridges hom the bosom
of her cotton gown, almost the only gar
ment she wore. So long as the gun
worked she pumped lead at the Span
lards, keeping them at bay. But The
old carbine finally got out OF order and
she threw it away with angry con
.mpt. drew a revolver, and shouted :
Long live free Cuba!"
The Spaniards, seeing the carbine
thrown to the ground, made stimuli
taneous dash forward, firing repeated
ly rs they did 80. The Cuban woman
calmly waited their approach, and
when they we're within range of hel
pistol the amazon gvte another cheer
lOr OuUd anu again Opoutu AIe uuIll
she fell pierced by four Manser bullets
Then there was another rush for
ward of the Spaniards, and the dying
woman, half rising with difficulty or
her elbow, fired her last shot at the
nearest soldier of Spain, killed him
instantly, and sank to rise no mere
with a faint cheer for free Cuba on
her lips.
This is only one Of a number of in
stances of how the Cuban amazonl
can fight and die. Another amazon
who recently KEEP: at bay the Spanish
troops was the daughter of the insur
gent leader S ccorras. She fought to
the last as CALAMITY as any OF the men
and when her last cartridge was fired
she gracefully gave up her revolver tc
the Spaniards who had surrounded
her. remarking, as she pointed to The
soldiers she had killed: II hope you
will make as good use OF it as l have.
st. Louis Post-Dispstch.