The record-union., 1898-12-09
A TALE oT SANTIAGO.

A TALE 0T SANTIAGO.
The Fighting Blood Of the Sperrys
Was Strong Even In a Boy.
H. Irving Hancock contributes tale
of the capture of Santiago, entitled
"Chuggins, the Youngest Hero With
the Army" to the November "St.
Nicholas" 1t is the story of boy,
whose various ancestors had served in
all OF the American wars. The fighting
blood in him was too strong to be re-
sisted, and he finally made his way to
Cuba with the American troops. Here
is what he saw at Las Guasimas, where
the Rough Riders got their first taste
Of war:
1t there were bullets flying now, he
did not know it-did not stop to think
of them, but spurted over the rough.
uneven road, full of the idea that he
was to fire few more shots for that
gallant young soldier behind. 1t was
strange how completely that idea shut
out any other thought. Now the firing
rang louder than ever; there were
cheers mingled with it. Chuggins came
in sight of an irregular mass of men
ahead. They were charging through
the jungle and under the trees, firing
as they ran. AT a quick, sharp COM
mand. they lay down, but kept on fir
ing. Painting Chuggins ran among
them, unnoticed, throwing himself
upon the ground between two of the
men. Through the trees he caught just
glimpse of little brown men in. blue
and-white uniforms that looked very
much like bed ticking. They were fir
ing at the Rough Riders as fast as they
could work their guns, while the Amer
leans were giving rather more than
they received.
Chuggins had no time to see whether
men We're being hit around him, but
he knew that the hiss and chug Of bull
let's all about him was something terri
flying, and he had time to be afraid.
For few moments he shook as if with
ague. It was the thought of that dead
soldiers face, with the lips trying to
say "Hurrah!" that made a Sperry of
him again. Pushing the carbine out in
| front of him, trying to see the blue
| and-white uniforms through the fore
sight, Chuggins began to fire. 1t was
amazing how quickly that magazine
was emptied
Now the Rough Riders were up and
| yelling again. Onward they dashed,
and the boy went with them. In the
rush he was left in the second line, but
| just as he finished slipping in the five
fresh cartridges, he reached the front
rank again. He fired ahead because
| the rest did, but it took him longer to
empty the magazine now than it did
when lying down. There was a spirited
| scurrying, wild hurrahing and the
| Spaniards had fed.
Now, when men began to breathe
again, and rest, and look about for
comrades, they espied Chuggins, or
rather noticed him for the first time.
| Certain of the officers were among the
most curious. One of them strode
swiftly over to the boys side, rested
a strong hand ION his shoulder and look
ed down inQuiringly into his face.
Something in the mans features look
ed familiar Chuggins remembered a
portrait that he had seen in the news
papers.
You're Mr.. Roosevelt, aren't your"
he asked.
| ''Yes, my lad; but who are you?"
Name S Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Hansel," Chuggins breath
lessQy explained.
How came you here? Where did
you get that gun? What are you do
4 ing with it?''
Colonel Roosevelt did not look cross,
but he plainly meant to have the whole
story. So Chuggins told it briefly,
| dwelling on the dead soldier whose lips
seemed trying to cheer.
| 'I felt sure he wouldn't mind my TAX
ing his gun, If he could only say SO,
SIR" wound up the young narrator.
Fact is, I think he'd have been glad
to have me put in few more shots
for him. and I'm glad did,
Weren't you scared, Sperry?" asked
Colonel Roosevelt, his face softening.
"Awfully, for a little while, but it
wore off," came the candid reply.
Colonel Roosevelt looked at him
| thoughtfully. He knew that such a
mere boy had no call or right to be on
the firing line, but such deeds and rea-
soning as Chuggins offered must per-
| plex a lover of heroes; SO he said as
had the Sergeant at Siboney.
"Sperry, don't know what to say
| to you"
Just then some one called the Colo
mel away, and Chuggins wandered
about in the regiment. He stayed with
the troops after that, first with one reg
iment and then with another, getting
farther and farther to the front as the
| army advanced, going back to Siboney
only when some officer had message
to send That life just suited the boy
There was always room for him al
\ oC hn nj.
diers call their little shelter tents. He
never lacked for meal, helping in al
| the odd chores of camp life that he
| could. The gun that he used at Las
Guasimas he had given up, and thus