Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-24
THE LAST
FOUR LEAGUES.


L 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
Ia Rosalia thought 1t was thunder. And
80 1t 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 victim to the last. the ten
years.. war. Three sons were left to
carry on the fight. and they were then
with Brigadier Lopez Recio. Only
mother and Emilia. the sister, little
girl of twelve years, were left mt home
to watch and pray to God to aid the
Culans In their struggle for liberty.
Suddenly the noise Of Gathering hoofs
came from the southwest The still
night air bore the unmistakable sound
with distinctness. In an instant every
head was at the open door. Nearer and
nearer came the gallopng rider. He
was alone. His horse was covered with
foam and painting like Il tired hound.
Up to the little gate Of the Moncado cot
tage he staggered. and then his rider
reeled and almost fell into the arms of
his mother.
"My God! Rafael. you are wounded,
my boy
battle of Saratoga Is raging. am on
my way to Colonel Pena. He does not
know of 1t. We need him and his cav
airy. Help me to fresh horse and Ill
catch Pena 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 off the riding boots
filed with her brothers blood She
brought water to moisten his parched
lips. She saw the ugly wound In his hip
and murmured through her grittine
teeth: Bad Spaniards. Bad Spaniards
They will Kill us all yet" And then
her borther's eyes opened. The cold
water had revived him. He tried tC
move. but only groaned In agony. Once
more he strove to rise.
Mother, some one help me to my
feet must go on must 20 ON.
have ridden sixteen leagues since morn
ing. There are only fourmore to Santa
Lucia and to Pena. We must have him.
And with a mighty effort he rose to his
feet. Then he wavered, tears OF help
lessness came into his eyes. and he sank
back on the bed with n sob OF anguish
"To think that should go so near tc
the end of my journey and then fail.'
How were you wounded. my boyT
"'Twas near I'll Desmayo-late thi.
afternoon. had changed horses at LIZ
Einda an hour before. Suddenly | raj
into body of Spanish guerrllas from
San Miguel. ! could not fight them
there were too many-so took up ra
vine toward Isidro. They fired five vol
| leys after me and gave chase. They
knew l bore commission. My hors,
was fleet and strong and I got away
| but carried with me one of their rifi,
balls. tore Off parts of my sleeve ant
pushed them into the wound, but 1t still
bled. I'm better now; I'm rested; IL
go on" And again he tried to get on hi
| feet.
Rafael. my boy, it is impossible; yov
are weak. You cannot ride: the motion
Of the horse will cause you to bleed T.
death. Guido must go. Emilia. tell hin
to saddle a fresh horse and get ready {
| ride to Santa Lucia"
Emilia started toward the door, bu
her brother raised his hand in profess
''Guido is only half-wit. He NIGH
start for Santa Lucia. but he woul
never find his way in the dark. Eve
II he reached the place he would forge
whom he wanted to see.'
But there is no other man in Ross
| LA pleaded the mother.
''True. Therefore | must go. woun
or no wound. Emilia, tell Guido to sac
die a horse and bring it to the gat
quickly. We are losing time"
Brother, we can't let you 60. l.
never see you again." And the DOC