The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-01-11
going into Santiago, don't it?" re
N, RI al Pop Ion

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, I guess"
"Of course. if they do make stand
at oil" said Pete slowly, "they's liza
bic to be quite 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 good hot
scrap"
Pete spat copiously and gazed at
nothing for 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 re.
mark. No need to git excited about
it. Jest between you an me. Only,
you know
Pete stopped abruptly. His rowing
gaze now rested on the sky. An ashy
palior overspread his face, and an ex-
preston of terror was in his eyes,.
Look, 81, look" he fairly gasped,
pointing above with trembling fin
ger.
Bender looked.
There in the sky, directly over the
American camp, was huge black
cloud. At first appearance q cloud
only, but almost on the instant it as
suined human form. 1t was the pic.
turo of soldier lying, with folded
hands, on his funeral bier.
As they gazed it was gone, shape
less cloud again, sent here and there
by varying winds.
ITS an omen," finally said Pete
with trembling lips.
Pete, you're an inconsiderate ass, "
replied Bender with an attempt at be-
ing funny. But his voice sounded
dry and hard, and his face was white
also.
"Now, see here" he continued,
gaining control of his voice as he
spoke, don't you say word about
that when we get back to camp. It's
no omen at all, but some of the 'rook.
les might be superstitious, and You
don't want to get them ratified, see?'
Yes, / see, replied Pete, dubious
ly, "but L tell y'u that was omen
They'll be war tomorrow, sure, an
sometimes goin' to happen. But
won't say word about it, for as you
say, til rockies is liable to get fambus
ticated at most any little thing. YOU
bein' one of 'em y'u ought to know.
notice as how you're little white
around the gills."
Bender flushed at mention of hi:
short service, but replied:
Yes, acknowledge the corn. Tn
a rookie. But you must remember
Pete, that life on the Mexican border
is very good training for the army
: and l had my experience there.
; This may be an omen. as you say
! but if 1t is it's just for you or me. Has
nothing to do with the army at all
We'll never DO defeated; but, Peter
; you or / may at 10 distant date be
like the subject from which this mir
u age was cast"
: That night, as all save the sentrie'
| lox oil
. on the still air. 1t was the reveilI'
. call, sounded twice in rapid success
sion. Quickly the call passed from
. one regiment to another, beginning
y with the ranking command ant
y following in regular order dowi
;, the line. And as the cal! sounded til,
men jumped to respond until within
! few moments the great camp wa
y teeming with activity and excitement
! what meant this midnight start??'
'" they asked one and another. An
: there was but one response:
y Eight"
Soon the camp was but memor.
. and the army moved forward, towar
n the enemy's works, guided by Cubans
As the first faint streaks of gra
- light showed on the eastern horizon
~ low deep boom-m-m reverberate
20 along the valley, a cloud of smok
: wroathed a small knoll on the side {
u Ell Pozo, and the battle was on.
- An hour later the cannonading wa
- terrific. The ground shook with til
a incessant thunder of big guns. Sma
bullets whistled through the air lik
20 hail.
II say, Pete, what do you think {
this?" shouted Bender.
- ct amt no Fourth o July celebrl
~ ton. I'll tell y'u that" was the repl,
To ''Hot stuff, eh?''
~ "Well, you seem to take it prett
/ well for kid"
~ Bender, oh-h-h, Bender!"
q Ii was the Colonel shouting ut IL
~ top of his voice.
no Here, sir!' replied Bender, rul
10 ming forward along the line.
10 Il may need you to-day. Give N
o compliments to Captain Steele, te
u, him that I've relieved you from dut
81 with his command, and then repo
as here again Immediately.
~ VERY well, sir
Bender was with the Colonel aga
~ in few minutes, and followed hi
i. closely all morning. Wien the So
~ Juan river was reached and the troo]
deployedto make ready for the charg
al Bender aud the Colonel were som
wv what in advance of the men,
1t was critical moment. The COZ
ar handing officer of the brigade h,
~ been killed. The two ranking colone
on had been severely wounded, and we
&c hors de combat. The command of Il
"a brigade now devolved on the Colon
80 of the til. He felt the responsibilit
nd also the danger and waited until
.an was ready.
.. At the right moment the Color
Ibo jumped to his feet, drew his swor
or. and raising it on high, shouted