Middletown transcript., 1898-12-03

/ guarding the sleeping genera anu u
companions, clutched his rife with
firmer grip. He knew that a strugg
was going on in those tangled busht
and vines, and the men who we're heade
in his direction might be either friend
or foes.
"Quien sabe2n was Pedro's low vol
ed comment, after his keen eyes ha
taken in the situation.
The noise of the scuffie or skirmish i
the chaparfal suddenly died away, an
the sentinel heard only an occasions
oath, but the moving tops of the bushe
warned him that the strangers were ap
preaching him.
"They swear like the pious defender
Of our holy cause" said Pedro, "bu
that is no sign. There are Spanish dev
lis who can outswear the Cubans, and
even the pig dog Yankees have learned
the trick. Carrajo is a word which
will soon belong to all languages.
Perhaps 1t would be we'll to awaken
the general. Gomez was with a small
scouting party, and after their hurried
dash into the enemy's territory the
ired troopers were enjoying their fgst
nap in week.
While the soldier was considering the
matter his commander solved the prob
lem for him. The rebel general has a
way OF sleeping with one eye open, AID
his little catnaps are easily disturbed.
"What is it, Pedlop"
The vigilaut guard quietly told bis
wakeful general about the movements
and suspicious noises in the chaparral.
By this time all OF the officers and
soldiers, some so or more, were wide
awake and ready with their weapons to
resist ain attack or make a dash into
the forest.
captain Vando and his men are to
meet US hele," said Gomez, "ar it is
about time. The only Spaniard in this
vicinity are dead ones. Their friends did
not even bury them when they left last
week. You may rest assuled that
Vando is the man who has broken our
siesta."
With rush and a swish dozen men
plunged out of the bushes into the CON-
paratively open space occupied by the
general and his followers.
Their faces and their uniforms wer 6
unmistskably Cuban, and Captain Van
do and his commander lost no time in
embracing each other in the m st affec-
tioDate fashion.
The newcomers bad with them a fet-
tered prisioner-a tall man with a dark
st IN face, who Wore the uniform Of a
Spanish captain. Gomez looked at him
eaFieHsly ~ he listened to whispered
report from Vando.
Then be frowned and his eyes flashed
fire.
'.Carrajol;' he hissed between his
teeth. ga good days work, Vando.
Iii not forget it,"
The SpaniaId in the captains uni
form said nothing, but looked about
him with naughty stare.
"What can we dofor Captain lopez,
asked General Glm-z, with pIeasan t
smile.
"Release me, restore my weapons
and my horse," said tbs prisoner. "E
was on a peaceful mission, visiting a
sick friend, when your men aLbushed
me on the road. They have treated me
with great indignity, but let that pass.
Give me my liberty and I promise to
say nothing Of your movements in this
district"
ut gives me great pain to refuse your
request" replied Gomez courteously,
''but we have given your case our care
full consideration for The past six months
and the main object of our recent scout
Ing expeditions was to capture you.
You see, captain, you are not an ord:-
nary guerrilla. You have a gang of
the worst catthroats and robbers in all
Cuba. You have never met US in q
fair fight. All of your work Is done in
the dark. You destroy the homes Of
peaceful farmers. murder and rob
wounded prisoners, assault helpless
women, and Captain Vando reports
that when you were captured you had
on your person the watch and the
handkerchief Of Red Cross nurse, a
young woman who was outraged and
murdered by you and your IufRans two
nights ago."
at is lie" shouted the Spaniard.
l found the handkerchief in the road
the watch I bought from soldier"
"Mistakes will occur in war times .
answered Gomez calmly. and I may be
mistaken now, but I am willing to
swear to The truthfulness of Vando's
IL must 60 with, you then, and be
tried by court martial, i snpposean sal J
Lopez.
"You will be tried BY court martial, y
responded the generalsmilingly. "Your
trial is In progress now. This is court
and 1t is formal and orderly
enough considering the fact that we
are in the enemy's country. liable to. be
killed at any moment BY your snbnshed
robbers. Yes, captain, this Is court
NJ ll1z4Ess N -