The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-08-04

while &c and his regiment had but that day
entered FL Caney after a victorious charge.
What further advance OF the American
forces would mean to them was hard to tell.
At any rate she would tell them Of their
troubles and trust to his regard for her and
his good sense to lead him Alright.
It was late in the evening before the spy
had again succeeded in working his way
through the Spanish lines and reaching the
American forces at Ell Caney. He at once
delivered the message to Lieut. Stanton, and
the young officer became frantic with the de-;
sire to in some way assist his lance and her
family in the beleagured city. ti7s
Calling the members of his troop around
him he asked for 20 volunteers who would
follow him on dash through the Spanish
lines, provided the general commanding
would give them the desired permission. The
20 men that he asked for were easily found.
And after the Cuban spy had explained to
the general the possibility of small body Of
men working their way through the Span
ish lines nearest the home of the Crafts,
while their horses were held Just outside,
permission for them to 60 was readily given.
The Cuban guide was sure of his way and
led them safely to the Crafts home. From
the shadow of the buildings and trees far
down the street they could see the mob of
frenzied Spaniards in front Of the. home
which they wished to enter. To attempt to
force way through such mob was sheer
madness, but little investigation showed
them that the near entrance, which they
could reach through narrow alley, was not
80 we'll guarded.
To attempt to describe the scene in that
home, when the friends were admitted,
would be useless. The cry of JOY with which
the girl wecomed the young officer was al
most their undoing.
But few moments were needed to make
their preparations to leave. Nothing but
money and jewelry could be taken with
them; the skirts of the mother and daugh-
ter were discarded, and in their place was
the clothing of father and son.
Egress from the house and city was made
in the same way the entrance had been. AT
the outer Spanish lines sentry challenged
them, the first they had met since leaving
the American lines, but saber thrust quiet.
ed him and no trouble was experienced.
1t was not until all were mounted and they
felt safely on their way back to Ell Caney
that any serious trouble was met with. Then
they encountered troop of Spanish cavalry
To stand and fight was impracticable; it
must be run for the American lines. The
little band of troopers, with Lieut. Stanton
at their head, stopped for few moments tc
hold the enemy in check while the Cuban
| guide was sent ahead at run with the res
cued family. All the way back to the Amer
lean outposts it was a running fight. But
when the brave young officer reported to hi
commanding general the next morning il
was of mission fully accomplished and with
but one man slightly wounded.
! The little band of troopers felt fully rec
ompensed for their perilous ride when they
were invited by Lieut. Stanton to attend {
wedding at general headquarters on tn.
evening of July 4.
The father felt that the young officers po
gition in the army was firmly established.
WRIGHT A. PATTERSON.