Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-09
FOB CUBAN LBRE

1
people who lived in the little clustel
OF palm-thatched houses called SAINT.
Rosalia thought 1t was thunder. Ant
90 1t was-the distant roar of Spanish
artillery that came up from tn,
south.
One little cottage stood by the road
side, some distance apart from thu
Others. 1t was the home of the Mon
cados. The father, Jose, was dead
He had fallen a victim to the last, the
'Ten Years" War. Three sons wer,
left to carry on the fight, and they
were then with Brigadier Lopez
Recio. Only mother and Emilia, the
sister, little girl of - years,
were left at home to watch and pray
to God to aid the Cubans in their
struggle for liberty.
Suddenly the noise of Gathering
boots came from the southwest. The
still night air bore the unmistakable
sound with distinctness. In an in
slant every head was at the open
door Nearer and nearer came the
gaHoping rider. He was alone. His
horse was covered with foam, and
painting like a tired hound. Up to the
little gate of the Moncado cottage he
staggered, and then his rider leele, /,
end almost fell into the arms of his
mother.
MY God! Rafael, you are wound
ed, my boy"
1T is no matter; | can still ride.
The battle of Saratoga is raging. l
am on my way to Col. Pena. He does
not know of it. We need him and
his cavalry. Help me to . fresh
horse and I'll 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 ewes.
She watched them draw off the riding
boots filled with her brothers blood.
She brought water to nloisten his
parched lips. She saw the ugly
wound in his hip and murmured
through her gritting teeth: bad
SpaniaNs! Bad Spanards! They
will kill us all yeti" And then her
brothers eyes opened. The cold
water had revived him. He tried to
move, but only rroaned in agony.
Once he strove to rise.
Mother, some one, help me to nv
feet. | must go on-I must go on. I
have ridden 16 leagues since morn
ing. There are only four more to
Santa lucia and to Pena. We must
have him." And with a mighty eff
fort ne rose to his feet Then he
wavered, tears of helplessness came
into his eyes, and he sank back on the
bed with sob Of anguish.
ITO think that should 90 so near
to the end of my journey and then
fall"
how were you wounded, my boy?"
Twas near Ell Desmyo-late this
afternoon. ! had changed horses at
La Vinda an hour before. Suddenly
ran into body of Spanish guerri-
las from San Miguel. | could not |
fight them, there were too many. so I |
took up a ravine toward Isidro. They |
fired five volleys after me and gave |
chase. They knew bore commits
sion. My horse was feet and strong
and ] got away, but carried with me
one OF their rifle balls. tore off
parts OF my sleeve and pushed them
Into the wound, but it still bled. I'm
better now; Pm rested; I'll go on"
and again he tried to get on his feet.
Rafael, my boy, 1t is impossible,
you are weak. You cannot ride: the
motion of the horse will cause you to
bleed to death. Guido must o.,
Emilia, tell him to saddle a fresh
horse and get ready to ride to Santa
Lucia"
Emilia started toward the door, but
her brother raised his hand in pro-
test.
Guido is only half-wit. He might
start for Santa Lucia, burt he would
never lind his way in the dark. Even
I he reached the place he would for
'et whom he wanted to see"
But there is no other mother in
tosalia,' pleaded the mother
True! Therefore, must 90
wound or no wound. Emilia, tell
Judo to saddle a horse and bring if
o the gate quickly. We are losing
ime."
Brother, we can't let you go. I'll
lever see you again." and the poor
mid buried her head on her broth
RS neck Then, suddenly rising, she
reclaimed: "0h, why was / not a
nan! Cuba so needs men! Yes, III S
ell him to get Linda ready at once.
,ol. Pena must go to help Gomez" ,
'urning. she kissed her brothers ,
orehead and hurried out to the i
tables, Soon the quick gallon of q I
orse was heard approaching the
ouse. But it did not stop at the
ate. On it sped in the direction Of
anita Lucia.
A moment later Gnido. the half
lifted black boy, wandered aimlessly
Ito the room.
Where is the horse. where is Emf. :
a" inquired her brother. d
"Gone! replied the boy. O
Gone? Where?" came from all
resent. a
+" dun know. She said somethln' a
'out st. Lucia, jumped on Linda's
ack, and looks TO me as how she's t,
one"
And 50 she was; the brave little b
milfa. although not snldier of