The Red Cloud chief., 1897-03-19

"a story about the present revolution
in Cuba.)
The shrill blare of a trumpet awoke
the echoes OF the mountain valley In
which the insurgent Cubans were en-
campcd. II was their call to arms,
and an hour later the men OF Don Car
los command were filing down the
mountain side.
The unwonted confusion also awoke
one for whom the call was not In
tended-Tommy Walker. the young
American. who had the day before
wandered into the insurgents retreat.
lHe rubbed his eyes. and tried to recol-
lIect where he was. In a fash II came
ever him; he was no longer on the
coast. in the mining camp, but far up
lin the mountains, the guest OF q Cuban
,rebsl. As he was hurriedly dressing
mis- host looked into the hut for n word
lof farewell.
Don't come out yet" he said; ut
is only just dawn; go back for another
nap. I'VE shall be back about mid
night, or tomorrow at the latest. II
you can amuse yourself here during
the day I may have something inter-
ssting to tell you when we return"
But why cant | go, too?" asked
Tommy. why do you leave me here
alone with the women? You treat me
As though I were a baby" He pouted,
and the big rebel laughed.
Indeed | don't" he replied: but
you must remember that | am respon-
sible to your father for your safety.
] can answer for you here: but down
there, where we are going. the bullets
will be flying, and all my time will be
taken up in directing and lighting"
We'll, ! guess | can fight, too. And
as for my pony. Benito, he likes the
smell Of powder as well as | do
mo, no, Tomasito; 1t would not do
at all. But will let you go as far ~
the Five Palms, on the bluff above the
plain; and there we'll leave you, where
you can watch the fight. and pick you
up as we come back"
"Goody! I'll be ready In ten min
utes." He was as good as his word,
and twenty minutes later he was on
Benito's back, riding happily by the
side OF Don Carlos. who was mounted
on his fiery black stallion. Dlablo.
The chief was grave and silent, and
Tommy. well knowing that he was
mentally weighing affairs of life and
death, kept d~iscreetly quiet. At last,
however, he spoke:
"Tomasito. milo. we are going to
raid the ingenio of Santa Clara, that
large sugar plantation on the Cruces
Road. behind the hills from Santiago.
and nearer the sea. A detachment OF
new recruits Is there, just arrived from
Spain, and l wan to teach them a les
son. They think, perhaps, that their
little excursion across the ocean Is
going to be a pleasure trip. and fight
ing the Cuban rebels nothing more
than target practice. l want to cor
rect that impression; and, though the
poor fellows may show fight to some
extent, still, there won't be any great
danger"
But why can't ! go all the way with
your" insisted the boy. you know
I'm dying to be in a skirmish, and |
can shoot a revolver as well from
Benito's back as II | were standing
on the ground"
Don Carlos smiled despite his anx
ious thoughts.
Bravo, Tomasito. You are already a
good rebel at heart. ! thought you
were In sympathy with the Spaniards.'
We'll, so l was, when | was living
amongst them. because | heard only
their side Of the story; and they were
really friendly to me. But, now that
have heard the other side, and have
been thinking 1t over. l find that | an
with you, heart and soul. And so are
most OF my countrymen.'
"Dios 10 quiera! God grant II may b'
so,' replied the chief, reverently an,
gravely. IL do not see how 1t can b,
otherwise, for we are fighting for NOR
than personal liberty, and all Amer
leans should be in sympathy with on
attempt to throw of the chains o
tyranny. But no, Tomasito, It canno
be; you must not descend to the plan
tation. Here is the trail; follow 1
down to the plateau, where you viii
find the ruins OF a house, and Their
await my return. Antonio shall g,
with you. He has food and drink
Here. Antonio, this way. Take goo'
care of the senorito, Adios! | mus
overtake my men,
Leaving the disappointed Thomas a
the side-trail, with the mozo, OF serv
ant, Don Carlos touched his hors
lightly with the spur and flew dow
the rocky road after his troop. Fl
was soon out OF sight, and the bo
then followed the servant to an ope
plateau, which, though surrounded b
forest on every side, had once bee
cultivated az a coffee plantation,
the center Of the open space were tn