Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-10-16
THE LAST
FOUR LEAGUES.

TT was sundown in Santa ROsalia.
The rainy season was on in Cuba.
4 and low. rumbling thunder had
been heard all the afternoon. That is,
the people who lived in the little clus-
ter of alm-thatched houses called San
ia Rosalia thought it was thunder. And
SO it was-the distant roar of Spanish
artillery that came up from the south.
One little cottage stood by the road
side. some distance apart from the 9TH
ers. 1t was the home of the Moncados.
The father, Jose, was dead. He had
fallen n victim to the last. the ''ten
carry on the fight, and they were then
with Brigadier Lopez Recio.. Only
mother and Emilia, the sister, little
girl of twelve 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 hoofs
came from the southwest. The still
night air bore the unmistakable sound
with distinctness. In an instant every
head was at the open door. Nearer and
nearer came the galloping rider. He
was alone. His horse was covered with
foam and painting like Il tired hound.
Up to the little gate of the Moncado cot
tage he staggered, and then his rider
reeled and almost fell into the arms of
his mother.
MY God! Rafael, you are wounded,
my boy
.'It is no matter; can still ride. The
battle of Saratoga is raging. l am on
my way to Colonel Pena He does not
know of it. We need him and his cav
airy. Help me to a 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 eyes. She
watched them draw off the riding boots
filled with her brothers blood. She
brought water to moisten his parched
lips. She saw the ugly wound in his hip
and murmured through her gritting
teeth: Bad Spaniards. Bad Spaniards.
They will kill us all YETI And then
her borther's eyes opened. The cold
water had revived him. He tried to
more he Strove to rise.
Mother, some one, help me to my
feet! l must go on-I must go on. l
have ridden sixteen leagues since morn
ing. There are only four more to Santa
Lucia and to Pena. We must have him."
And with mighty effort he rose to his
feet. Then he wavered. tears of help
lessneSS came into his eyes, and he sank
back on the bed with a sob of anguish
ITO think that l should go so near to
the end of my journey and then fail"'
How were you wounded my boy?"
"'Twas near Ell Desmayo-late this
afternoon. l had changed horses at La
Ninda an hour before. Suddenly l ran
into body Of Spanish guerrillas from
San Miguel. l could not fight them
there were too many-so took up a ra-
vine toward Isidro. They fired five vol
leys after me and gave chase. They
knew 1 bore commission. My horse
was fleet and strong and 1 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; I'm rested; I'll
go on" And again he tried to get on his
feet.
Rafael. my boy, it is impossible; you
are weak. You cannot ride: the motion
of the horse will cause you to bleed to
death. Guido must go. Emilia, tell him
to saddle fresh horse and get ready to
ride to Santa Lucia"
Emilia started toward the door, but
her brother raised his hand in protest.
Guido is only half-wit. He might
start for Santa Lucia. but he would
never find his way in the dark. Even
If he reached the place he would forget
whom he wanted to see."
But there is no other man in Rosa
lia." pleaded the mother.
True! Therefore l must go. wound
or no wound. Emilia, tell Guido to sad
die horse and bring it to the gate
quickly We are losing time"
Brother. we can't let you go. I'll
never see you again." And the poor