The morning times., 1896-08-23
this PAGE IS FOR BOYS AND GlRL--ss-=---
night; and hurried forth-put by no means

thought had come to him that per
haps the chance to help his native land
had already reached him. The idea lent
him speed and decision beyond his years.
Slipping out by a rear door he entered
the stable enclosure. The moon was high
IN the heavens; and by It's light-he sadslled
and bridled the fleetest steed on the plan
tation-his own mare venta. Then, leading
the mare, he stole through the garden way
skirted the hacienda courtyard, and, in
the shadow OF the acaciss, vaulted into the
saddle. M @
just as he had given the re ins a
shake, and was baking ready for a
noiseless, trot underthe trees, thege came
To him from the darkness the gruff chal
lenge'of a sentry. ' : Ts-ass .2~rt
Ah, he had forgolteni the sentry! Rid.
ing slowly up to theSpan, he explained his
identity. Mi
Il am going for rte:'' he'added.
AT midnisht?'' aske9 ;she soldier skep-
tically. We'll, it may}be so. You young
Cuabns are queer fenOws. :.
But first of all must ask my captain"
Then, in louder tones, he summoned the
corporal Of the guard.
Ramon saw that there was no time TO
be lost. Reaching one booted leg out Of
the stirrup, he deliberately kicked the
Mauser rifle out OF Fthe mans relaxed
grasp. 1t dropped in the long grass;
and, next moment, gallant little ''Venta"
was flying through the trees with the
boy crOuching low over her saddle.
The Cuban leader lay at village
across the Havana border, many miles
away. Was it possible to reach him Le-
fore he set out to meet his supposed
daughters at daybreak? Everything now
depended upon the mares swiftness, and
her riders knowledge OF the country. Both
were superb. Little "venta" sped over the
beaten track like new-roused ia wn. :"
Ramon took shortcut after shortcut
missing no way of lessening the distance.
Yet in spite of both their endeavors
the boys keen bearing soon told him
that. out of the many hoof-beats behind,
those OF one horse were drawing nearer
and nearer. One pursuer was drawing rap
idly out OF the ruck and gaining at every
stride, even upon "venta.''
Ramon urged his mare onward with
voice and rein, but still approached the
Spanish horse, and presently, by looking
over his shoulder, the boy could see his
foe clearly in the moonlight.
Altar roared the pursuer's voice, and
Ramon knew by the lines that the captain
OF the regulars was himself in chase. Then
u revolver bullet whistled past his head
He put bis steed at the yawDing ditch
which bounded one side Of the road.
"Nenta' took the leap glOriously, Just
as "A second bullet grazed her flank. Then
Ramon let go the reius, and, raising his
arms for protection before his face, dashed
bravely into the deuse forest. He saw the
captain follow his lead across the ditch,
and then the slapping branches OF the
underground closed In behind him, and
he pushed onward toward the bush The
Spaniard IN determined pursuit.
But Ramon. knew this wild forest, and
the captain did not. The boy led his pur-
suer 10 a spot where brusbwood and creep
res covered the path of a deep but slug
gish rivulet. Then he altered his own
course and role back toward the highway.
A mighty splash, and angry yells from
the spaniard told that his plah had sue
ceeded. The captain and his horse had
tumbled together int5 the stream, and
We're probably fouhdtring IN the morass
on the farther side 81 '39''
With chuckle Rofhaaimi once more leaped
tut into ipSuWdN- atds. WtI'
his trials not over yeths Another Spaniard
had come up in the meantime; and, as the
boy sent venta sailbping along the white
road this new pursue r'shore away his cap
tassel with a bullet. II
But venta could otsstrip the new steed
with ease. and by betidinT over the saddle
and keeping the darker side OF the track
Roman managed to escape further damage
from the perfect fusiiade of shots, which
ca ame hurting after him.
After brave ride.Shc shook off all the
enemy though far behind he still heard the
faint sounds OF their chase.
1t wanted still anihour OF dawn. when
Roman galluped into the insurgent camp
a dozen sentries challenged him: but when
they heard his errand, they wasted 10 time
on formality.
He is gone!" they shouted. THE gen
eral started half an hour ago. He only
took five men.
For moment Roma n felt SO faint that he
all but reeled from his saddle Had he been
baffled after all?
But the Old fighting spirit OF his father
rca sserted itself.
In catch him yet,'' he whispered.
hoarsely to the guard officer. who had
come running up. ''Senor, have you any
brandy?"
A flask of brandy was procured and some
of the stimuant poured down "Venta's"
throat. Then Ramon turned his mare once
more and dashed in pursuit OF the general.
"Senor, general! For Gods sake,
halt, implore"'
Such were the words uttered in a boys
shril tones, which arrested the Cuban
leader as he rode at the head of his men to-
ward the Spanish ambuscade. There was
a faint dnge OF gray in the east. In little
while it would be dawn; and this brave
man was riding unconsciously to the tryst
which meant his doom.
But the boys voice changed it ALL. and
the boy was Ramon. He had come across
country, so as to intercept the general:
and now he urged "Venta'' W it'll one grand,
final effort. for a leap into the road. The
little mare took the leap, and then, utterly
spent, sank shudderingly upon her h aunches.
Ramon scrambled out of the saddle, and,
rushing ia the generals side, poured into
his astonished ears the whole story which