El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-06-16
THE NIGHT BEFORE FL CANEY
An Incident of War In Cuba.
By FRANCIS KIMBALu.

Copyright. 1900. by Francis kimbalI.I
When the colonel of the til cavalry
summoned Captain Burden TO regi-
mental headquarters, some one at the
way, that the "old man" had picked
him from among dozen old cam
paigncrS for Il consultation.
Nephew or something to Il Sena-
tor" growled a grizZled lieutenant
who had seen 20 years of service and
was jealous of the this reputation
'Fresh from desk in the war depart
ment. but all fired anxious to smell
dago powder
fought to have Joined the rough rid
ers." added another. They'll be in the
fight tomorrow; the this too full al
ready. and here's the old man asking
him to supper before he's seen a week
of service
''Tutr' interpOsed the regimental sur
geon. "Burden'S not n greenhOrn, and
the colonel knows it. Reckon you don't
know what sent him ont of Washing
ton into this fever stricken climate.
Do You think Il dOuGhbOy'd join the
fighting -th?''
Come" said the adjutant, locking
arms With the surgeon, for he saw the
latter had something on his mind. and
he, too, was curious about Captain
Burden Lets go outside and leave
the fellows to their growlings:' then.
when they had passed beyond the con-
fines of the mess tent-"What was il,
johnson? The chaps no coward. and
he interests me-
WELL" said the surgeon soberly. 1t
isn't my business. but l don't mind
telling you; I've Il cousin in the war
department. Il chum of Burdens, and
he wrote me to keep an eye on him. 1t
was hard luck drove him out of Wash
ington.''
"Humph," growled the adjutant Sar-
castically. small pay and
NO broke in the surgeon Bur
den has an income and
s'Then what the deuce? Why didn't
he stay in Washington and leave us
poor devils to do the fgntingE'
eff you'd been in Washington it
wouldn't take much guessing, replied
the surgeon. For if you'd been there
you'd have known Miss r. and how
she played Burden, to throw him over
for douShboy. SO all Washington was
on to it and felt sorry for the captain
and didn't wonder when he threw up a
fat position in the department and pc
titioned the secretary for active Serv-
ice"
land the doughboy:" grunted the
adjutant, enlisted for all time in the
new captains behalf. ''Staid in
Washington with the reserves and''-
Not much. And that's what puzzles
the wise heads up there. He enlisted
in the regulars and lit out for Santiago
along with Burden, though l reckon
they didn't come together"
whats his name?' asked the adj
jutant.
The surgeon fumbled for the letter,
glancing over it by the light of i neigh
boring lantern. Hardy" said he
shortly And, by thunder, he's in the
til, What if he and Burden come to-
gether?"
In the meantime Captain Burden.
unconscious of the effect the summons
from the colonel had upon his brother
officers. stood before the commander
of the regiment at headquarters.
Captain Burden" said the latter,
noting with n practiced eye the slender
figure of the young officer, you come
to the -th highly recommended for
GOODNESS and courage Tomorrow we
attack Ell Caney. l have been ordered
to call for volunteers to do little
scouting. Will you lead the party?"
Thank you said Burden simply.
1T will be an honor, p
The colonel removed his eyeglasses.
Young man." said he seriously, 1.-The
bush is full of SpaniardS- You may be
killed or seriously wounded. Every
caution Will be required"
81 will do my best, SIR replied Cap
tain Burden. rs the start to be made
at once%
The colonel wheeled about on his
camp stool. Orderly" said he sharp
ly, tell Captain Clark that l wish a
volunteer OF two good men from his
company to undertake a dangerous
errand near the enemy's line. They
are to report to me at once"
"Your duty will be-" he continued,
turning to Captain Burden, ''to recon-
my's lines. You will skirt the base of
Ell Caney, making detour to the
north. 1t is unnecessary to say the
volunteers will be under orders from
you and are to be governed by your
Judgment
Five minutes later the tramp of ap-
preaching men was heard. and two
cavalrymen entered the commanders
presence. Captain Burden, noting
them critically. started. The sharp
tones of the colonel rang in his ears:
Corporal Joyce and Private Hardy.
you are under ordc,s to proceed ac-
cording to Captain Burdens direction