Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-09-12
A COURT MARTIAL.

General Gomez and several officers
of his staff were taking their after din
ner nap-''siesta" is the Spanish word
for it-when there was a commOtiOn in
the thick chaparral between them and
the narrow, rugged road which ran all
the way from the mountains to the
western coast of Cuba.
The thorny underbrush was pulled
and tossed about until the billowy sur
face seemed to be swept and dashed by a
storm.
Pedro, the watchful sentinel who was
guarding the sleeping general and his
companions, clutched his rifle with a
frmer grip. He knew that a struggle
was going on in those tangled bushes
and vines, and the men who were head
ed in his direction might be either
friends or foes.
''Quien sabe?'' was Pedro's low voiced
comment, after his keen eyes had taken
in the situation.
The noise of the scuff1e or skirmish in
the chaparral suddenly died away, and
the sentinel heard only an occasional
oath, but the moving tops of the bushes
warned him that the strangers were ap-
preaching him.
''They swear like the pious defenders
of our holy cause" said Pedro, ''but
that is no sign. There are Spanish dew
lis who can outswear the Cubans, and
even the pig dog Yankees have learned
the trick. Carrajo is a word which
will soon belong to all languages.
Perhaps it would BE we'll to awaken
the general. Gomez was with a small
scouting party. and after their hurried
dash into the enemy territory the tired
troopers were enjoying their first nap
in week.
While the soldier was considering the
matter his commander solved the prob
lem for him. The rebel general has a
way Of sleeping with one eye open, and
his little catnaps are easily disturbed.
"What is it, Pedro?'
The vigilant guard quietly told his
wakeful general about the movements
and suspicious noises in the chaparral.
BY this time all of the officers and
soldiers, some so Or more, We're wide
awake and ready with their weapons to
resist an attack or make dash into the
forest.
Captain Vando and his men are to
meet US here,'' said Gomez, land it is
about time. The only Spaniards i'll this
vicinity are dead ones. Their friends
did not even bury them when they left
last week. You may rest assured that
Vando is the man who has broken our
siesta.
With q rush and swish a dozen
men plunged out of the bushes into the
comparatively open space occupied by
the general and his followers
Their faces and their uniforms were
Enthusiastically Cuban, and Captain Van
do and his commander lost no time in
embracing each other in the most affec-
tionate fashion.
The newcomers had with them fet-
tered prisOner-a tall man with q dark,
stern face, who wore the uniform Of
Spanish captain. Gomez looked at him
curiously as he listened to a Whispered
report from Vando.
Then he frowned and his eyes flashed
fire.
''Carrajo!" he Kissed between his
teeth "A good days work, Vando TIL
not forget it. -
The Spaniard in the captains uni
form said nothing, but looked about
him with naughty stare.
t'What can we do for Captain Lo-
pez?" asked General Gomez, with
pleasant smile.
Release NE, restore my weapons and
my horse said the prisoner. 81 was
On a peaceful mission, visiting sick
friend. when NQpr men ambushed me
on the road. They have treated me with
great indignity, but let that pass Give
me nay liberty and I promises to say
nothing of your movements in this dis
trict.''
sit gives me great pain to refuse
your request, ;" replied Gomez courte-
ously, "but we have given your case
our careful consideration for the past
six months, and the main object Of our
recent scouting expeditions was to cap
ture you. You see, captain, you are not
an ordinary guerrilla. You have gang
of the worst cutthroats and robbers in
all Cuba. You have never met us in
fair fight. All of your work is done in