The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-26
A STORY OF CAMP M,CALLA.
WiEwngging That Relieved al
Angry Officers Feelings.
From the New York SUM-


The Spaniard had skunk away from the
Plaza del Este. They had tested the Amer
lean marine and they were satisfied. The
buzzard-picked bones in the simmering
valley Of Cusco, where Fighting Biz Ell
lott and his 200 men trapped the lurking
guerrillas, were a warning to which the
Spanish troops at Caimenara paid heed.
Camp McCalla was as peaceful as a State
gathering Of militia The warships in the
outer harbor Of Guantanamo lay still on
the warm blue waters with no fierce boom
ing of heavy guns to brighten out to sea
the timid hammer headed sharks so thick
ly crowding the bay. Boats filled with jack
les were pulling about between the ships
and the shore with rarely an anxious eye
being turned at the wooded bluffs on either
side of the camp where so short time be-
fore were hidden the sharp-shooting Span
iards. On the beach the marines were
busy with the police work of the camp and
the officers OF duty lolled beneath the
shade of the mess tent at the base of the
hill, glad of the respite from actual fight
Ing. Peaceful as everything seemed, how
ever, there was no relaxation in vigilance.
The outposts We're on duty at the cross
roads and at the salt pond, and the danger
of a surprise was eliminated.
Among the officers under the mess tent
the talk was about the three days OF steady
fighting they went through after landing.
They knew they had done good work. and
they were telling one another incidents,
some heroic and some amusing, and won
dering what the folks at home We're think
ing about it all. Pretty soon there came
up from the landing a tall young lieutenant
of marines He looked as natty as on
parade in the Brooklyn navy yard, and the
contrast he offered, coming as he did from
one OF the warships in the harbor, with
the camp-soiled and fight-torn uniforms OF
the officers in the land battalion was very
striking. His brother officers greeted him
warmly, for aside from any personal rea-
son, new face was welcome, as it meant
news of some sort from the other world,
from the fleet of Santiago, or perhaps from
home
The newcomer seated himself on a box of
bareback and Joined in the conversation
concerning the repulse of the Spaniards in
their attack upon the camp.
Boys he said hesitatingly, Il heard
something on one of the GOLFERS today that
did not like. l don't believe it, but as it
concerns you all, l think you ought TO
know it."
"Oh, we're not thin skinned any more, "
said one of the officers on shore. TN
have to be pretty tough to worry us after
our little experience of the last few days"
well, this will worry you, if anything
will" replied the visitor.
What was it?" asked several.
why, / heard" went on the visitor,
that if 1t hadn't been for the Cubans YOU
fellows would have been wiped out. They
say you hunked the Sunday night the
Spaniards jumped you and that the Cubans
had to rally you. The report is all over
the fleet"
There was just q moment of silence,
while several of the men who had faced
death all through the fighting without
flinching looked at one another a little
queerly and then grew angry. The accu-
sation was so unjust. so unexpected. COM
ing from their own branch of the service,
too that they hardly knew what to say CT
do. Then big fellow with full black
beard grew red in the face and stood up.
who told you that" he asked as his
eyes flashed in an ugly way.
His brother officer told him. naming
lieutenant on one of the ships in the
harbor.
Go back to him." said the angry man.
land tell him for me that he's liar. Tell
him I'm sorry | can't go over there to
say it myself"
So indignant was the speaker that the
other officers forgot for the moment the
reflection upon them contained in this gal
ley gossip. and they laughed.
mo, don't tell him." went on the angry
officer I'll do it myself. I'll let him
know what ! think of him, even if l
can't get at him.
With that he abruptly left the shelter
ing mess tent and strobe out into the
blazing sun along the trail leading up the
bluff to where the camp proper was and
where the flag. planted on the ruins OF a
Spanish blockhouse the day they first set
foot on Cuban soil, still waved defiance TO
the impotent Spanish general in Caimena-
ra The others watched him as he Storm
ed along through the chaparral. kicking tn .
| varegated land crabs from his pathway.
They saw him climb laboriously up the
steep winding ascent and slip in front of
| the signal tent where stood a signal boy
| leaning against a guy rope. In his hand
the boy held the red signal flag with the
white square in the centre. Grabbing il
from the private The officer made three or
| four passes in the air.
Hes calling IS ship" said one OF
/ the officers in the mess tent, as he read
| the signal.
What's he going to do" enquired one
of the others. and we all stood up tC
/ watch him.
The man with the flag kept calling anC
| calling. and finally there came an answer
ing signal from the ship he wanted Thel
the officer below read this message from
the hill:
Present Mr.. IS compliments to Mr.