River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-09-03

itdElN udWH Ndlne up nSloTe lnetn, anu
then the sun was trailing long shad-
ows behind as they galloped. 1t was
four o'clock. and forty miles back to
the trocha.
And now ut last they seemed to have
distanced their pursuers, for no rumble
came out of the west. They fed their
horses a few armfuls of the green tops
of sugar cane, refreshing and stimu
lating. gave them a little water from a
roadside brook. and rubbed them down
as time would permit. That was not
much, for before they had finished, the
sound of pursuit again grew upon them.
Forty miles further. and we will be
In our own lines" remarked Slater.
For three hours more the wiry little
Cuban horses bore their riders swiftly,
though the sun grew high and angry.
They had struck off the highway, had
ridden through a field of cane, and were
now gallOping down a wide stretch of
slOping prairie, dotted with cocoa
palms. They scarcely expected that the
enemy would fail to notice where the
chase had left the road. so they were
not disappointed when the long crash
of breaking stalks announced that the
guerillas were riding down the field
they had just passed through. The pUr-
suit was gaining fast. In another min
ute there was n roar of shouts and
cheers from behind, and, running. they
saw the hill tops crested with long
line of galloping gray-coated men.
The peril was imminent, yet the
stanch beasts had the material in them
for good ten-mile burst yet, and this
would be more than enough TO lead
them into safety. Down the long slope
the two bands swept, full mile be
tween them, and then another, when an
astonishing sight met them as they
topped the rise.
Away to the left in the following val
lev smoke was rising from a burning
house The yard before II was filled with
Spanish soldiery. Two women stood
bound in the midst. There seemed to be
an alteration. a soldier began to reeve
a rope over a convenient tree bough.
All this flashed before the mems eyes
in a moment. There was no hesitation,
nor were any orders given. Those of
Slater's troop were accustomed to fol-
low where Slater led, and they gallopcd
at his heels as he spurred fGriously down
the hill slope. The Spaniards by tie
house were suddenly aware of
mingled rattle of hoofs and pistol shots,
and beheld rush of men sweeping
down upon them. brandishing weapons
and volleying forth curses and bullets
at once. 4 moment and they were
struck. crushed. ridden down. The
sheer weight of Siater's headlong
charge scattered and hurled them in
every direction. At the same time the
deadly machete and more deadly six
shooter were at work.
Throw the women across your sad
dies" roared Slater. They were jerked
up in an instant by two brawny troop
ers. Ii was no time for ceremony.
Now hard ahead!" And before the
Standards had recovered from the
shock their assailants were dashing
mast the outbuildings of the hacienda
and had disappeared behind the sheds.
At the same time the guerillas
swarmed in. and the soldiers also
mounted and followed the chase.
Meanwhile Slater's men had met an
unexpected obstacle. A high and
strong wire fence stood firmly across
their way; ii Vas apparently designed
to le horse proof. There was no gate,
and the ends were not in sight.
We'll. cut il, then" shouted the
leader, with a rattle of oaths. when its
impregnability became apparent.
And id quick, too" He rirew his
machete and slashed as furiously at
these wires as he had done at those of
the trocha.
In a minute or less an opening was
made and the riders were through.
When the Spaniards arrived at the
same point. their greater numbers ard
the narrowness OF the gap caused
tremendous crush. which gave the in
surgcnts a much-needed start.
IL was soon lost. however. The fresh
horses of the Spanish reinforcement
rapidly overhauled the little troop.
And. TO add 70 their difficulties, deep
ravine suddenly appeared ahead. To
scramble in and out Of il with suffi-
eient rapidity would be impossible for
the tired horses. two of which carried
double loads To have last the wom-
en- aside might nave facilitated their
escape. but no one see Es;ed 20 dream Of
such al act, nor was there a ard of