The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-30
IA CUBAN cHARGEH
How Much Depends on the Maohete.
Strings and Thongs Are Factors.


Strings and Thongs Are Factors.
Strings, thongs and snap catches play
important parts in the field uniform Of q
Cuban insurgent. Persons who have seen
the little band of Cuban patriots with
Buffalo Bills Wild West show come dash
ing into the arena have noticed that each
man, by quick movement Of the head,
throws off his straw hat. The hat, which
is held by string, bangles upon the
horseman's shoulders during his ride.
The movement, revealing the fine, alert
and spirited faces Of the men who served
under Gomez and Maceo, looks like a trick
for theatrio effect, but 1t is what they al
ways do when riding into action, SO one
Of the little band explained the other day.
"Tho Spanish soldiers, F" he said, shave
the Mauser rifle, which kills at 1000 or
1900 yards, while we have only tho Rem
ington carbine, which Is of short range
1t is all we can afford. If we remain at
distance, the Spanish without danger to
themselves will, as you Americans say,
wipe us out So we must got close to
them. That is the first consideration.
The Mauser bullet will not kill any more
at one yard than at 1000, but it is differ
Ont with the machete For 1t close quar-
tors is necessary.
'Now, sec how we are prepared for an
attack. The carbine hangs by this snap
catch from the belt on the left side. The
revolver, suspended by strong string
through its butt, hangs on the left side.
The lnachete, by thong through the
handle, swings from the right wrist. The
hat is made fast by string SO that 1t may
be thrown back out Of the way, but not
lost, for we are too poor to lose anything,
even an old straw hat, and when the fight
is over, If we are alive, we will want our
hats. But during the fight we want our
heads bare, clear, that we may see. The
Spaniard pulls his hat down over his eyes.
1.-THE order Is given to charge! Three,
four or five hundred yards we must go
very fast-straight for the Spaniards, who
all the time have US in range of their
Mausers, while we can do nothing to
them. Then We are close enough for the
carbine to have effect, and they go bangl
bang bang! fast as wo can load and fire.
All, If we only had magazine guns like
yoursl But they are too costly for us.
Quickly we arc close enough for the re-
volver to do execution. The carbine goes
back to its hook ON the belt, and tho re-
volver speaks bang! bang! bang until it
is empty, whom it is dropped for the string
to take care Of
"By that time'we are on our enemy
with the machete. That is the tool to kill
with. Shots fired in gallop may miss,
but there Is no mistake about the chop of
tho machete. The Spaniard knows 1t and
dislikes 1t exceedingly. A man who knows
how to handle the macheto can lop off IN
arm or head or split man like carrot
with it. A gun may get out of order, am
munition may be exhausted but the good
macheto is always ready for service. Grind
it sharp when 1t Is dullcd on bones, and
1t will not fail to servo you well.
"Whon the fight is over, everything is
in place. The hat is put back on the head
for our sun is very hot-the revolver
and carbino hang in their places ready for
reloading, and wo are prepared for anoth-
or fight. New York Sun.