The San Francisco call., 1898-06-26

IN U ban patriot who lived not many
 MI miles from Santiago de Cuba.
 Miguel fell sick of the fever, and 4 MigueTs little daughter, Maria, and Mi-ueFs wife had to look out for their one cow and some chickens and a garden. Miguel grew worse, and ms wife was soon compelled to pass all or her time at h.5 bedside. Little Marla played some, but worked most ot the time.
 Their little home was in the noun tains, and no Spanish soldiers had been there until the news came that the Yankees" had declared war against Spain. Soon after that Spanish troop CTS came over the mountains hunting for able-hodied men to make into Span ish soldiers. Brutal and rough they were. and they struck poor Miguel, be- cause, they said, he was shamming sickness. The captain of the troopers saw Maria in the garden and called her to him.
 How old are you, little girl?" he asked
 Twelve years old next Christmas"
 Twelve years old. Well, you will do as a guide over the mountains. Come, We want you"
 Maria's mother cried and coaxed the soldiers not to take her little girl away, pleading that her help was needed. Maria cried, too, and joined her plead HES Mllil HSI IlOlllGI =, UQl eill III Nolll. She was roughly seized and ordered to show the soldiers the way to Santiago de Cuba, she acting as guide.
 She performed her duty so well that the troopers slept in a Spanish fort that night. The next day and the next, and for many days after, more Spanish soldiers arrived a the fort and Maria learned from what they said that they had been sent out from Havana to strengthen the garrison, and that e- big battle was expected as soon as the Americans should come.
 Day and night the Spanish soldiers toiled with picks and shovels and dug deep pits in the earth. into which they lowered explosives, which would go off, they said, and blow into pieces any Cubans or Yankees who might come that way. Every road leading to San tiago was treated this way except one; that one the Spaniards kept open for their own safety.
 Maria was filled with fea-. She knew that her fathe' was a leader among the Cubans. Suppose when he was well that he should march with an army over these dreadful pits? Maria made up her mind that she would watch carefully and try to escape at the first chan e. But she was closely watched, and the Spaniards were very sus- picious.
 The little rebel" she heard a -er- geant say to a Spanish officer, has mischief in he eN es."
 The Spanish officer had her brought before him. Any attempt you make to escal and carry news to the Gu bans will cause you to be shot Do you understand"
 She did understand and trembled vio- lently; but she made no answer
 Keep your eyes on that girl she heard the officer say later. "If you suspect her shoot her at once"
 Then the Spanish warships con- manded by Aolliral Cervera came into the harbor of Santiago, and there was much joy until an American fleet ap- peared and shut D the Spanish ships as if they were in a trap. The Spanish soldiers were no longer allowed to go away from tle forts, for battle might take place any time and they were all needed. The Hubans soon found out this and soon signal fires appeared every night on the hills. Spanish spies were sent out and came back with the news that a large force of Gu bans were gathering; that they had succeeded in getting guns and ammuni- tfon from the Americans and that they were only waiting for a signal to march against the Spanish in their forts.
 General Lihc-or. who commanded the Spauiards, orQered that some large cannons should be moved to some new earthwo: s to be made, to guard the roads. There were two new batteries