Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-01


n khaki
OF all the men there he was the
only one that knew war. He had seen
Gettysburg And yet he was the most
nervous. His officers. alert and young,
came and spoke TO him easily. Inc
men hoped for the sound of shooting.
He alone feared the attack, and waited
impatiently the order to withdraw.
THE extreme advance post, ne
muttered. with unseasoned men. NOT
a regular TO support lis. Ii had my
old company. | shouldn't care, but II
these boys break and run my reputa-
ton goes. and every chance OF promo
ton"
Promotion: AT fifty-five he was still
a captain. transferred, by grim
Chance. without change of rank, to
nurse volunteers in Cuba. He knew his
physical defects: he felt that he was
wearing out in the climate. sun was
always hard on him. ever since his
sgnstroke i'll the lava beds. II he was
forced out of service his half pay
would not maintain his family-all
girls. To become major before he was
mustered out, that would be saliva
ton,
He stopped by figure that squatted
In the grass behind the line OF soldiers
That's right" said the man. i
wanted TO speak with YOU
The big American looked down at
the shrive!ed Cuban You followed
on your own risk, you know.
Il know" The little mans face
glowed. Il risk AT last an TO strike
for my country. There will be shoot
ing soon. Oh. how | feel. And you
Americans honor you!'
That's all right. said the captain.
Don't bother about us"
a see, you. captain" said the Cuban.
He drew wallet from his breast and
opened it carefully.
The captain saw crisp greenbacks
Put it up. man." he said.
But look" said the Cuban. They
are American money-thousand dollar
bills. Ten. Do you sec? My whole for
:. tune. Spain has taken the rest"
Il see," said the captain, astonishe1.
You spoke of risk SAID he Cuban.
but you risk your lives for us. risk
mine, too. II | die you take this
money. See?"
YES" said the captain.
1.-The money is for the poor of San
tiago, my city. which we all besiege.
Ii is TO reconstruction understand?
"A legacy from me. The money, you
take it il | die. You see that it is
properly used. No one else knows.
Understand"
Il understand"
You are an American. l don't ask
you to promise. An, look OUT
A dry cracking began in the thick
cts under the trees across the clear
ing. One would have said that men
were breaking branches for fuel. But
looking closely. flashes were visible in
the shadow. Bullets began to cut the
leaves about the captains head.
The Cuban twitched his trousers.
Lie down." he said. Foolish TO
stand. Lie down"
The captain shook his head. The
men were locking al him; he could
not afford TO betray nervousness. The
lieutenants came for orders. Shall We
fire." Not yet. The captain studied
the woods in front. and searched them
with his glasses. His worries van
ished as he called into play his mill
tary faculties. lie noted the increas-
ing fire, a. FROM a gathering irregular
force Then lis orders came clear and
cool. He sp. cad out his line. To give
the impression of greater numbers.
and gave the word 10 return t. fire.
The Cuban WAS the frs. TO shoot. In
his excitement his gun spoke often. lie
looked at the captain with shining
face This IS giorious." he cried. Il
fight for my country"
The fire became hotter. The oppos-
Ing force grew ever larger; the re-
Spouse of the Americans seemed fee
Bile The captain knew that his
strength would be revealed. He feared
to be outfianked. But OF the courage
of his men he soon had no doubt They
fought well. And the Cuban whenever
The captain came within sound OF his
dice. called: This is glorious"
III Ai.E HAL HOuI That ioitOMGd, tllt
volunteers learned to know thcnse.-
yes and TO know their captain. They
been proud of him before; now
they loved him. A sudden attack
made by men slipping Forward under
cover of the grass he taught them Il
repulse. That pleased and elated them
And yet at the end it might have gon'
hard, for the Sraniards were begin
ming TO creep around the tanks: bu
an aide came hurrying through tn,
woods.
"All right" he cried. We've don
what we came for Fall back to tn
main body"
The captain Sow his men back skill
ully rhe Sp5afTrds pressed so clos
the company turned often L
off the pursuit
Cuban followed the surges bacl
forth. calling to each acquaint
This is glorious." but at las
came running to his friend
- he cried. There was a re-
over his heart. He stagGere,
fell. Il die for my country" Their
half admiration, half contempt. 1
captains heart for the dramati
hern nature. He seized the slen
body and bore 1t aong Still direct
cleyerly, even brilliantly, he fin
fha f1rpufpo fsrbt with