Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-12-30
A COURT MARTIAL.

Oeueful GOm6L anu bCNeTdl OllCofS
Of his staff were taking their after din
ner nap-"siesta" is the Spanish word
for it-whcn there was a connection in
the thick ~chaparral between them and
tho narrow, rugged road which ran all
tho way from the mountains to the
western coast Of Cuba.
The thorny unIerbrush was pulled
and tossed about until the billowy sur
fnce seemed to 10 swept and dashed by q
storm.
Pedro, the watchfui sentinel who was
guarding the sleeping general and his
companions, clutched bis rifle with q
firmer grip. He know that a struggle
was going ON in those tangled bushes
and vines, and the men who were head
ed Ia his direction might be either
friends or foes.
''Quien sabeg'' was Pedro's low voiced
comment, after his keen eyes had taken
in the situation.
Tho noise Of the scufle OF skirmish in
tho 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 up
preaching him.
"They swear like the pious defenders
of our holy cause" said Pedro, "bui
that is no sign. There are Spanish dew
lis who can outswear the Cubans, and
even the pig dog Yankees have learned
tho trick. Carrajo is a word which
will soon belong to all languages"
Perhaps IL would be well to awaken
the general. Gomez was with a small
scouting party. and after their buried
lash into the eoemy's territory the tired
troopers were enjoying their first nap
in n week.
While the soldier was considering the
matter his commander solved the prob
lem for him. Tho rebel general has a
way of sleeping with one eye open, and
his little catnaps arc easily disturbed.
"What Is it. Pedroy'
The vigilant guard quietly told his
wakeful general about the movements
and suspicious noises in the chaparral.
BY this time all OK tho officers and
soldiers, some 80 or more, were wide
awake and ready with their weapons To
resist an attack or mako n dash into the
forest.
Captain Vando and his men arc e
meet rs here, Z" said Gomez, land it is
about time. The only Spnniards in this
vicinity are dead ones Their friends
did not over bury them when they left
last week. You may rest assured that
Vando is the man who has broken GU
siesta."
With a rush and a 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 il
tionate fashion.
The newcomers had with them a fet
tered prisoner-a tall man with a dark
stern face, who wore the uniform of I
Spanish captain. Gomez looked at hin
curiously AZ he listened Il a whispered
report from Vando.
Then he frowned and his eyes flashed
FIRE.
'Carrajor' he Kissed between hi
teeth. "a good days work, Vando. II
not forget it,"
The Spaniard in the captains uni
form said nothing. but looked abou
him with a naughty stare.
"What can we do for Captain Lo
per-" asked General Gomez. with
pleasant smile.
"Release me, restore my weapons al
my horse, " said tho prisoner. 81 wa
on q peaceful mission, visiting a sicl
friend. when your men ambushed M
on the road. They have treated me witt
great indignity. but let that pass. Civ
me my liberty and l promise 10 sa.
nothing Of your movements in this dis
trict.
1T gives me great pain to refus
your request, - replied Gomez courte
Ously, "but we have given your cas-
q careful consideration for the pas
ak monfhG and the main object Of on
recent scouting expeditions was to CAP
suro you You see. captain. you are no
IN ordinary guerrilla. You have a gan
" the worst cutthroats and robbers Il
al Cuba. You have met us in
air fght All Of your work is done 4