The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-11-08

= detachment u eur troops. poften -
those selected to take possession Of -
city. We wefe awaiting the erdsf 70
march, when observed Q small BODY a
Cuban horsemen approaching.
! knew II was their purpose to naks .
formal demand to be permitted to enter
tho city with tho Americans. and aiss
enptorily refused. Colonel Melendes w.s
In the party. and Don Leandro sat in
front Of his father. the two cabaIleros On
one poor. little Steed, seeming to most OBJ
servers not very warlike or dignided
sight. but to mo Il was q noble picture.
The boy WAS stiIl perfectly nude, but bin
nudity was ~ irrspfoachabla ~ that Il .
statue OF Phidias.
A brief. sharp colloquy followed he q.
rival of the cubans. and the patriots
turned away. some with s.ghs Of disav.
pointment. but most of them with rough
oaths. Melendex however, drew IN his
horse and came back to ua
He rode straight up to Sergeant Weldon
greeted him a. an old friend. and began
talking earnestly In a low voice. could
catch only few words.
But, Colonel" heard Weldon say. ~
would be a risk for the boy and for mo
which last, Of course, doesn't count"
You must do It for Ipe-for him-m1
friend" said the Colonel: but before ths
parley could be brought to q mora salts
factory point Don Leandro settled II, ~
he settled most things. by his own e,i-
dacity. Slipping hand quickly to WEI
don's saddle, he clambered lightly -
squirrel to perch behind tho trooper and
threw his arms about his waist.
You're nervy oner exclaimed HS
rough cavalryman: 'buf IL you stiek
on I'll carry you to the Governor Generals
palaccv'
The other soldiers laughed loudly At The
scene, but the Captain pretended not 10
see 1t. Then came the order to advanoe
and the little band Of horsemen rode siov-
ly into the town.
1t was not a pageant.
There was no waving Of fags no m
fare Of trumpets. and women leaned 0u1
from the balconies and windows snn
cursed US as We passed up the narrow
street. But It was triumphal march
Don Leandro clung fast to his protector
but he looked calmly into the scowifne
races OF the Spanish women and surveye0
the dirty. unkec1pt littls city with the cal
culating eye Of conqueror. Tho Captain
suddenly seemed to catch sight of LeAndro
for the first time.
What brat have you rot there. esr-
geant" he growied.
'@The son of Colonel sSciendez," repiisd
Weldon. He wanted 20 come in in trs-
umpns ne said.
Young Cuba. ehr'' said the Captain, and
his face relaxed. Then let him play hS
game. Take him to the 'front.'"
It was Don Leandro's hour. BY quicA.
serpentine writhing of his slender body.
aided by dcxter0us movement Of the 6sr-
geant. he swung himself in front. and
weldon spurred his horse, which dashed
to the front OF the little column.
Down tho narrow. crooked street moved
the band Of horsemen. Don Leandro sat
proudly erect.
Is head was thrown back ana the shssf
his long. dark curis hoated over bis
neck and shoulders and nuttered IN the
breeze like the nag Of the young Repuhlio
which should havo been at the head Of the
column.
Thus they marched on TIN they came TO
the palace OF the Governor General
where the conquerors OF Cuba had ruled
for generations; but the orange standard
Of Spain no longer dew above Il,
And my little CD had ridden In tr1uA
Into 6antiaeA -.-------..s