The Lambertville record., 1898-09-07
A COURT MARTIAL.

of his staff Were taking their after din
ner nap" siesta" is tho Spanish word
for it--when thoro was II oommotion in
the thick chaparral between them and
the narrow. rugged road which ran all
tho way from tho mountains to the
western coast of Cuba.
The thomy undermush wns pulled
and tossed ahout until the hillowy sur
face seemed to be swept and lushed by
storm.
Pedro, the watchful sentinel who was
guarding tho sleeping general and his
companions. clutched his rifle with
itrmcr grip. lie know that II struggle
was going on III these tangled bushes
and vines, and the men who were hend
ed in his direction might be either
friends or foes
"Quien sabn}" was podro's low voiced
comment, after his keen eyes had taken
in tho situation
Tho noiso Of the seuillo or sl1irmish iii
the chnparral suddenly died away, and
the sentinel heard only I'M occasional
oath, but the moving tops of tho bushes
warned him that tho strangers were mp.
preaching him.
''They swear like the pious defenders
of our holy cause" F." said Pedro, "but
that Is no sign. There arc Spanish dov-
lis who can outswear the Cubans. and
even the pig dog Yankees have learned
the trick Cara jo IL word which
will soon belong to ali languages
Perhaps il would ho well to awaken
tho general. Gomez was with small
scouting party, and after their hurried
dash into the enemy : territory the tired
troopers were enjoying their first nap
IN II week
While tho soldier was considering tho
matter his commander solved tho prob
lcm for him. The rebel general has
way Of sleeping with one eye opon, and
his littlo catnnps aro easily disturbed.
"What Is it, Pedro2'
The vigilant guard quietly told his
waieful general about tho movements
and suspicious noises in the chaparTal,
by this timo all Of the officers and
soldiers, somo 30 or more, were wide
awake and ready with their weapons to
resist an attack or mako IA dash into tho
forest.
Captain Nando and his men arc To
meet NJ here, said Gomez, "nnd it is
about time The only Spaniards in this
vicinity are dead ONES. Their friends
did not even bury them when they left
last week You mny rest assured that
Vando Is tho man who has broken our
sicsta.
With II rush and n swish II dozen
men plunged out of tho bushes into tho
comparatively open space occupied by
the general and his followers.
Their faces and their uniforms were
unmistalably Cuban, and Captain Van.
do and his commander lost no time in
embracing each other in the most afloo-
tionate fashion.
Tho newcomers had with them fet.
tered prisoner--a tall man with Is dark,
stern face, who wore the uniform of
Spanish captain. Gomez looked at him
curiously us ho listened to whispered
report from Vando.
Then he frowncd and his eyes flashed
fire.
"Carajo" no Missed between his
teeth. "a good day 3 work Vando. III
not forget it. "
Tho Spaniard in the captains uni
form said nothing, but looked about
him with a naughty stare.
"What eau wo do for Captain Lo-
pezf' asked General Gomez, with
pleasant smile.
''Releaso me, restore my weapons and
my horse, " said tho prisoner II was
ON "a peaceful mission, visiting IA sick
friend, when your men ambushed mo
on the road. They have treated mo with
great indignity, but let that pass Give
mo my liberty and | promise to say
nothing Of your movements in this dis
triet. F"
1T gives me great pain to refuse
your request, replied Gomez courto-
ously, "but we have given your case
our careful consideration for tho past
six months, and tho main object Of our
recent scouting; ;expeditions was to cap
ture you. Youbeel captain, you arc not
an ordinary guerrilla You have gang
Of tho worst cutthroats and robbers in
all Cuba. You have never met us in
fair fight. All Of your work Ii done In