St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-06-06

woasEs WARRIORS.
Cuhan Auaassas WAe shsw 1hsss 1su
0ov - R1gAG
The Cuban ama1ons recently hovs
been playing prominent part in the
fights between the Insurgents and the
Spanish. These women. many OF whcn,
have husbands in the ranks Of the army
of Cubs, have exhibited upon frequent
occasions courage. endurance. and
fighting skill to .. greater extent than
very many Of the men.
The amazons Of Cuba ore not. NJ q
rule. remarkable for personal beauty
OF cleanliness Anything in the nature
Of dress does not prevent them from
fighting. AZ rule. they are negresses,
strong of limb and quick Of action. and
able to u&e . machete. rifle. revolver,
or knife with the beet Of the men. They
are to be found In nearly all the i'm
surgent camps and are increasing in
numbers. When not otherwise en-
gagged. they tend the sick and wounded.
mend and wash clothes. or cook the
meat, when hres are permitted and
fod n proeurable. When regular SUP
plies are inadequate to, the demand.
which - not infrequent, the amazons
chew sugar cane, and are thankful ia
set It, and ride or tramp pluckily along
with the regular Cuban troops. II
there IL hghting to do. they 20 into the
thick Of Il with energy and dash.
There II. or was. one woman. 1t least,
among tlDm who may deserve more
than passing notice. She came to the
front in recent engagement between
the Spanish troops and 4 number ot
insurgents at Olayita. The hghtine
began with the usual wild firing n
long range. but gradually the combat.
ants, few In number on either side, BY
force Of circumstances got nearer Il
zach other, snd then, - usual when
they began to see the whites Of each
Others eyes, the insurgents went "a
cover and the triumphant soldier,
dashed onward in pursuit But al thc
insurgents did not melt away. One NJ
them . tall. Ane-looking woman, bright
OF eye. well-built and looking like Z
heroine from the top Of her head to
the soles Of her naked feet. stood hel
ground bravely, calling first taunting-
ly and then in grand despair upon hsI
fleeing companious to fight Ike men.
They paid NO heed to her, and the Span
iards crept e]oser and closer from bsssh
to bush.
Then this woman determined Ia
show men how Cuban amazons can die.
With her hack against tire she stead
ily loaded and fired her carbine, tax
ing the cartridges from the bosom Of
her cotton gown, almost the only gar
ment she wore. So long - the gun
worked she pumped lead at the Span
iards, keeping them well ut bay. But
the old carbine finally got out Of order,
and she threw Il away with angry COR
tempt. drew . revolver, and shouted:
''Long live free Cuba!"
The Spaniards. seeing the carbine
thrown to the ground. made . stimuli
taneous dash forward, firing repeated-
" ~ they did 10. The Cuban woman
calmly awaited their approach, and
when they were within range Of her
pistol the amazon gave another cheer
for Cuba andagain opened Are until she
fell pierced by four Mauser bullets.
Then there was another rush for
ward Of the Spaniards, and the dying
woman. half rising with dimculty on
her elbow. fired her last shot at the
nearest soldier Of Spain, killed him in
stantly. and sank to rise mo more, with
. faint cheer for free Cuba ON her lips.
This 10 only one Of number Of in
stances Of how the Cuban amAxons can
fight and die. Another amazon who re-
Gently kept at bay the Spanish troops
was the daughter Of the insurgent lead
er Soccorras. She fought to the last
~ gallantly - any Of the men, and
when her last cartridge was fired she
gracefully gave mp her revolver to the
Spaniards who had surrounded her, re-
marking. N she pointed to the soldiers
she had killed: II hope you viii make
M good use Of Il as have Louis
Fost-Dispatch.