The Washington times., 1904-10-02

trusted themselves under my command,
but I was i'm a measure RESPONSIBLE for
anything shat might oerau them
II had been a hot liz, and the air
was still oppressive. Innumerable
guats and flies swarmed in our faces,
though It was some hours past mid
night.
We had considerable. difficulty in find
ing our way. We got out of the sand
only TO get into the swamp; and we got
out of the swamp only to plunge through
the thickets and get into the sand again.
We had been obliged to leave the road,
but much of the time we were in sight
OF the euemy's lines; and sometimes we
Cism0unted and led our horses that We
might better avoid being seen.
The Mexican, Rafael. who went ahead,
more than once whispered for US 10
turn back, as he caught sight OF a picket
or found our way blocked. and then we
would retraCe our steps and attempt to
| get around the threatened danger.
AT last We came TO a thicket, some
distance In the rear of the batteries,
where we tied our horses. Creeping
over the sand we took up our station
On one Of the sand hills to await day
light. Twice had a sentry passed within
I a few feet of us, and twice had we pass
/ ed through the picket lines of the enemy
| and had escaped being seen.
/ We expected. from the position where
we had now concealed ourselves, to be
/ able TO overlook the battery which had
/ threatened the city such serious damage.
/ and with our long range rifles 10 pick
/ off the gunuers. If we could do this we
might force the battery TO withdraw.
! I had ordered my men 70 keep low and
/ remain quiet III we are discovered, we
/ viii have to fan back. We cannot ex-
/ pect to be able TO make very obstinate
! stand against any considerable number, %
Z I had said.
/ "A little brush with them viii relieve
] the monotony of the last few weeks, %
/ remarked Moore.
/ We sat there and talked IN a low tone
until the gray of the morning began 70
Iappear. and then we crouched low so as
not to be seen, and looked for the tents
/ OF the besiegers and u position of tine
army.
/ Evidence of its nearness TO rs was
seen as the smoke or campfres rose
and then the notes of a bugle broke the
/ stiffness OF the air, and the roll of q
dram was heard. But with the dawn
when the light was clear. and We could
see where we were, we found that We
had taken up a position too far in tbs
rear OF the batteries 10 be able to piCH
of the guuners.
Moore was the first 10 see that We
could do nothing from where we were
and. somewhat put out, looked to me fOl
orders
we must try 10 creep up on them,
1 said. and told the men 10 fall back
10 where their horses were.
/ As soon as we had hurriedly refreshed
ourselves with such a breakfast as we
could draw from short rati0ns, we were
In the saddle again. and turned 10 skirt
the hill and come out TO the right OF
where we were. We had scarcely done
this and reached an open space in the
hills when suddenly we came face q
face with a small body OF cavalry.
l There was no time 10 turn, for they
were upon AS In an instant. There was
mo alternative but 10 meet them; nOI
would j have turned and avoided an en-
\ counter with them OF my own will
could 7 have done so, for at their head
was Don Luis. recognized him almost
instantly.