Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-02-15

Then there was the story of the
red machete, a wonderful weapon car
ried by Spanish officer. It's owner
was immune to bullets and could be
taken only by capture. But though
many times the officer and machete had
been seen and many plots had been
laid to trap him he had eluded them
all. Whenever he was seen at the
head of column of Spaniards the
Cubans fled precipitately, for he was
terrible fighter and was never known
to have been beaten.
But it was not long that the troops
remained in camp at Siboney. Soon
the march on Santiago was begun and
within a week the American army was
at La Seville, suburb of the famous
old town. Skirmishes had been fire.
quent on the march and now the men
were anxious to see fighting, real hot,
brutal and bloody war. Some of them
knew what it meant, most of them
did not, but all were anxious for it.
Mango Pete and the Maine Guy
had pitched tent at Seville as soon as
the march was done and fifteen min
utes later were off with bag and can
teens to find good water and some ripe
mangoes.
"Well, Pete, this looks some as
though we would have walk over
going into Santiago, don't it," re-
marked Bender.
''It sure does," was the reply.
''Them greasers amt no earthly good.
Got big streaks of yellow in 'em, all
of EN-"
"Still, Pete, you know they used to
be hot stuff. I'm thinking that they d
give us good warm reception even
now, only there are not enough OF
them, and they haven't food, nor
money, nor much else, except lots of
ammunition, guess"
"Of course, if they do make a stand
at all, said Pete slowly, "theys liza
BILE to be quite a death rate around
here. You see they've got guns that
shoot like sin. Jest as good as ours.
Better, maybe"
Eyes, but even at that / think most
of the men would welcome a good hot
scrap"
Pete spat copiously and gazed at
nothing for a moment. He was some
what given to thinking before speak
ing.
"Unless it should happen to be too
hot" he remarked at last.
"What do you mean, Pete" said
Bender, his voice tense with emotion
on the instant. "Not defeat, you
wouldn't dare think it even. Say,
what do mean?"
"Nothin', nothin, it was only a re-
mark. No need to git excited about
it. Jest between you an me. Only,
you know"
That night, as all save the sentries
lay sleeping, bugle call broke out
on the still air. 1t was the reveille
call, sounded twice in rapid success
sion. Quickly the call passed from
one regiment to another, beginning
with the ranking command and
following in regular order down
the line. And as the call sounded the
men jumped to respond until within n
few moments the great camp was
teeming with activity and excitement.
"What meant this midnight start?"
they asked one and another. And
there was but one response:
Fight"
Soon the camp was but q memory
and the army moved forward, toward
the enemy's works, guided by Cubans.
AS the first faint streaks of gray
light showed on the eastern horizon II
low deep boom-m-m reverberated
along the valley, cloud of smoke
wreathed small knoll on the side of
Ell Pozo, and the battle was on.
An hour later the cannonading was
terrific. The ground shook with the
incessant thunder of big guns. Small
bullets whistled through the air like
hail.
81 say, Pete, what do you think of
this?" shouted Bender.
''It amt no Fourth o. July celebra-
ton, I'll tell y'u that, was the reply.
''Hot stuff, eh?"
"Well, you seem to take it pretty
we'll for kid"
Bender, oh-h-h, Benderl'
1t was the Colonel shouting at the
top of his voice.
"Here, sir'" replied Bender, run
ming forward along the line.
81 may need you to-day. Give my
compliments to Captain Steele, tell
him that I've relieved you from duty
with his command, and then report
here again Immediately"
Every well, sir. "
Bender was with the Colonel again
in few minutes, and followed him
closely all morning. When the San
Juan river was reached and the troops
; depioyed to make ready for the charge,
Z Bender and the Colonel were some
what in advance of the men.
1t was critical moment The com
manding officer of the brigade had
been killed. The two ranking colonels
, had been severely wounded, aud were
hors lie combat. The command of the
brigade now devolved on the Colonel
II Al II A.