The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-07-15
THE LAST
FOUR LEAGUES.

The rainy season was on In Cuba,
4 and low. rumbling thunder had
been heard all the afternoon. That Is.
the people who lived In the little clus-
ter OF palm matched houses called San
IN Rosalia thought It was thunder And
so II was--the distant roar of Spanish
artillery that came up from the south.
One little cottage stood by the road
side. some distance apart from the 9th
ers. 1t was the home of the Moncados.
The father, Jose, was dead. He had
fallen n victim TO the last. the ''ten
years, war. Three sons were left TO
carry on the fight. and they were then
with Brlgadier Lopez Rccio. Only
mother and Emilia, the sister, little
girl Of twelve years. were left at home
TO watch aud pray to God TO aid the
Cubans In their struggle for liberty.
Suddenly the noise of gathering hoofs
came from the southwest. The still
night mir bore the unmlstakable sound
with dlstlnctness. In an instant every
head was at the open door. Nearer and
nearer came the galloping rider. He
was alone. His horse was covered with
foam and painting like tired hound.
Up to the little gate of the Moncado cot
tage he staggered. and then his rider
reclcd and almost fell into the arms of
his mother.
my God! Rafael. you are wounded,
my boy"
ut Is no matter; can still ride. The
battle of Saratoga Is raging | am on
my way TO Colonel Pena. lie does not
know OF II. We need him and his cav
airy. Help me to fresh horse and III
catch Pcnn at Santa Lucia tonight.
must"
The poor fellow never finished the
sentence. He had tainted. The arms
Of tender women bore him into the
house. Poor little Emelia followed.
the tears streaming from her eyes She
watched them draw or the riding boots
filled with her brothers blood She
brought water TO moisten his parched
lips. She saw the ugly wound I'm his hip
and murmured through her grlttlng
teeth: bad Spaniards. Bad Spanlardsl
They win XIII us all yeti" And then
her borther's eyes opened. The cold
water had revived him. He tried to
move. but only groancd In agony. Once
more he strove to rise.
"Mother. some one, help me to my
feetl l must 20 OIL must 20 on.
have ridden sixteen leagues since morn
Ing. There are only four more to Santa
Lucia and to Pena. We must have him."
And with mighty effort he rose to his
feet. Then he wavered. tears OF help
lessncss came into his eyes. and he sank
back on the bed with sob OF anguish
ITO think that should go so near to
the end OF my Journey and then failr'
"Iiow were you wounded. my boy p
"'Twas near El Desmayo-late this
afternoon. | had changed horses nj La
Ninda an hour before. Suddenly ran
Into a body OF Spanish guerrillas from
San Miguel. ! could not fight them
there were too many-so took up ra-
vine toward Isldro. They fired five vol
leys after me and gave chase. They
knew | bore a commission. My horse
was feet and strong aud got away,
but carried with me one Of their ride
balls. l tore OF parts OF my sleeve and
pushed them into the wound, but II still
bled. I'm better now; I'm rested; III
go on" And again he tried to get on his
feet.
Rafael. my boy, II Is impossible; you
are weak. You cannot ride; the motion
OF the horse win cause you to bleed to
death. Guido must 20. Emilia. tell him
to saddle fresh horse and get ready to
ride &c Santa Lucia"
Emilia started toward the door, but
her brother raised his hand In protest.
"Guido Is only half-wlt He might
start for Santa Lucia. but he would
never find his way In the dark. Even
II he reached the place he would forget
whom he wanted TO see"
But there Is no other man In Rosa.
lia," pleaded the mother.
''rrucl Therefore l must go, wound
or no wound. Emilia. tell Guido to sad.
die a horse and bring It to the gate
quickly. We are losing time"
Brother, we can't let you go. III
never see you again" And the Dooi