The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-26

from the north of Spain. 1t was too
had to deprive him of his freedom;
but. as he himself had suggested, what
else was there TO do? March ahead OF
me then, up the bank"
He turned and went before me with
all docitby, stumbling up the incline.
and when the level was reached walked
stiffiy to the fire, whore Antonio was
sleeping.
Get up, here is a prisoner" said to
the guide, stirring him with my foot
He turned out with i'll grace muttering
curses. But he got a rope and tied the
man to a tree, and took turns with me
guarding him. There was no more
sleep for me, for the incident had ex-
cited me, and when was not standing
guard 1 was lying wakeful in my blan-
ket, thinking over the situation. Some
how. 1t did not seem an attractive one:
for here I. an officer in Uncle Sans
army, engaged in a reconnaissance
where, above all else, / must play the
role of a neutral, actively employed in
securing prisoners for a fugitive rebel,
AS the coast and all ports of exit were
held by the Spaniards, IL was very evil
dent that 1 had not played a polite
part In making a prisoner of one of
their men. Still, could not see how /
could, under the circumstances. have
done otherwise. The difficulty Law in
making them see the situation from
my point of view.
Even now, might set him free. as
surfing him that 1t was all a mistake;
but, assuming that he would make the
right use of his liberty, there was An
tonic to reckon with. / didn't know
whether my peon was a rebel. or a
friend of the foreigner; but the chances
were that, whatever might be his SYM
pathies, he would not hesitate TO de-
nounce me to the chief on his return.
If he could see his own advantage in IT,
SO the poor devil was left fastened to
the tree. pending the arrival of Gomez
and his band.
At daybreak we were astir. Our pris-
oner was allowed to sit by the fire and
join us at our coffee, having given his
parole that he would not attempt to.
escape. 1 could not help plying him,
and resolved that as i had been the
means of making him prisoner. would
intercede with Gomez for him to be set
at liberty. In his open, frank air and
countenance there was not the least
suspicion of enmfty or revenge. As he
explained to me; he had been drafted
from his mothers farm and forced to
serve in the army. He had nothing
against the Cubans: in fact, his sym
pathies were with them. so far as he
had thought upon the subject.
But you know, senior a soldier has
to obey orders. Not to do 50 would
cause me to be shot. If I serve my
time and survive. l shall go back to
Spain with my little pay, and assist
my old mother on the farm. No, I
have nothing against the Cubanos. He
shrugged his shoulders and relapsed
into silence.
When the tramp of hoofs announced
the coming of the troop, we were ready
to join them. with the horse saddled.
the mule laden, and the prisoner bound
with a lariat. Gomez himself left the
trail and rode down the plateau to look
for us. His head was bound about
W.th a bloody handkerchief. which
gave him a fiercer aspect than he had
the day before: but he saluted me
gaily and rode steadily toward us. ros
How now, senior Americana? o. a
prisoner? A prisoner? Well, that is
good. You see us returning,-all there
is left of us; but do you see any pris-
oners? No, indeed, not one; yet here
you are with one of those rascally
wretches, hirefings of Spain. on your
hands" ..I....,- .
He drew rein. extending his hand to
me, and frowned at the poor conscript
from under his sombrero.
1t was true, there were no prisoners
with them: a fact that gave rise to
some sinister reflections. But 1 put a
DOlu lace on lne matter ana explained
how II had happened. . ...,,
ut was a case of necessity, don't you
see? II wasn't the poor fellows fault
that he ran into my arms, and 1T
wasn't my fault that I secured him.
Now. 1T seems to me the best way out
of it is to set him free again" t
The insurgent chief glanced at me
wlckedly from under the wide brm.
Eyes, and have him up again in front
- ms 81
a week. | know that he would give his
parole of honor. But what does such
a kind know of honor; and what could
he DO If he did? He would be driven
into the ranks as cattle are driven into
a corral"
IF the captain will allow me,
would say a word" said the prisoner.
We'll, speak up"
THE captain well knows that my pay
is small and that the chances are