Arizona republican., 1902-06-08

have left Morris to drown without lift ing his finger to save him. While thus meditating he became conscious of d presence that had come up to the fire and was standing motionless before him. Willie lifted his eyes and en-
 countered the gaze of Morris. The lat ter looked a Willie with rage and hate showing in every line of his face. Willie returned the stare and his blood leaped in his veins. for he longed to take the other by the throat and choke thee life out of his body.
 For full minute both men stared at each other and the silence was at last broken by Morris. who shook his fist at Willie and said in voice of ill con- cealed venom:
 You saved my life, d-n you, but I'll have yours before I am through with you He turned abruptly and walked away into the darkness. About an hour later BlinlIie returned with two other troopers. all of them l being hilariously happy. Blinkie stumbled over several recumbent forms in his search for Willie and was prompt mathematical by the soldiers thus rudely awakened. "N-never (hic) m-mind, (hic) f-f-fellows,'' he said in a | maudlin tone that was meant to be l soothing, "w-when (hic) the g-greaserS | get through (hic) w-with y-you. your l (hic) s-slumbers will be so s-sound | (hic) t-that you w-will not w-wake up in this world (hic)." Blinkie laughed | at his senseless wit and his comrades 1 joined him. One of the sleepy troopers shouted out for Blinkie to soak his | head and sober off. This touched 1 Blinkie in a sensitive spot for he never | 4-1l
 he staggered off in a manner intended | to be dgnfied but which was dismal | failure. He finally located his friend. Willie. and waking him proceeded to
 push a bottle under his nose. Willie
 held out his hand as if to take the
 bottle. hesitated. and then pushed it away from him. Blinkie's surprise at i this action was great for he had never
 known Willie to refuse a drink before. i The other was surprised at himself, for he never had to be asked twice to in-
 dulge. For fear that his good resolu- l tion might fall before the presence of
 the bottle he reached out his hand and i Blinlie thinking he was going to take
 a drink relinquisiied his hold of the | bottle and what was his disgust when | the other threw it far away from him,
 and it was heard to break against the
 stones that strewed the ground.
 BinSie was angry at this waste of | good liquor and said that he had
 walked two miles to obtain it. He had
 come across a Cuban who had piloted
 him to shack that contained a barrel
 of aguadienta. and drinking all he
 could safely hold, he had filled a bottle
 that he had picked up. intending to
 take it back for his own and Willies
 use. In supreme disgust at Willies
 determined stand he threw himself on
 the ground and grumbled himself ro
 sleep.
 | When Blinkie awoke next morning he | complained that his head felt as if it
 was ready to burst. He did not know
 the powerful after effects of agauadi- ente. and he said he would like nothing | better than to lie under the shade of a
 tree and sleep the rest of the day, but
 that comfort was denied him. Orders l came for the regiment to get in motion Scouts had reported the enemy in force
 four miles away. in the direction of
 Santiago. At conference of the com
 manding generals it was decided to
 send the main body of the dismounted
 cavalry by the right flank. and the
 regiment of rough riders by the left
 flank and over trail. it being the in-
 tention to flank the enemy on 10th
 sides.
 After a hearty breakfast the regiment
 started forward. The first mile the
 trail led up a steep hill. and the men
 soon began to feel the effects of the
 hard climb. Many of those who had
 retained their blanket rolls on the pre-
 vious days march. now threw them
 away. for they were only an incumb-
 rance. Most of the men had doubts as
 to whether they would need blankets
 that night. for the enemy was in their
 front and battle was imminent.
 The pace was forced and soon the ex-
 ertion began 10 tell on the men. The
 trail led through a thick jungle of un-
 dergrowth. and the hot sun streaming
 down upon the heads of the exhausted
 men added to their. misery. Blinkie , and Willie remained together and the
 former tried to keep up his spirits by
 singing the ditty he had composed the day before. but had to desist for lack of breath.
 Mile after mile was traversed. and to
 the relief of all a halt was ordered and the word passed down the line for the pack mules with the rapid-fire guns to be sent forward.
 I men grasped their weapons and looked at one another inquiringly.
 . When the column halted Willie asked Blinkie to accompany him to the head
 of the troop for he said if fight was near he wanted to be where he could take it all in. The two men made l their way forward and stopped behind , their captain. The order to march was again given but the troops had not proceeded far when Cuban scout 5 rushed out of the brush and informed the resimental commander that the Spaniards were intrenched only a short 1 distance ahead. Orders were sent to r the troop commanders to get their re- ) spective troops in readiness, and to
 caution the men to keep silence, as i, was the intention to surprise the Span l iards.
 1 Willics captain gave the order for ? the troop to load magazines and cham : bers. and Blinkie, whose eyes were t. winking furiously at these warlike s preparations, stuttered out: ''S-s-saE