The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1905-12-09
H&QUW !JoNl
| EV.I AKI q TIL CUBAN WAR 3 |
| esNNANNts NNGzRE AnzR17W J
81. by F, Tennyson Nicely Copyright 1899. by street


! satisfy his aspiration under these cir
| cumstances,
Inc rafting, roaring sound in
cfeases IN volume. 1t is like can.
nohade now as the masses of wafer
pitch down upon the burning forest.
another minute and the flood gases
OF heaven seem to be opened.
tropical storm bursts upon than
without the slightest warning. Th IN.
oer crashes, and vivid lightning
flames about them.
The forest fire is extinguished In a
Jl1y, for in the everlasting warfare
between these rival elements water
| usually proves the victor.
All are relieved. since they hxye
been saved from another grave dan.
ger.
The rain ceases after a time, aim os I
as suddenly as it began, though the
electric glow continues for quito a
period.
Jack, standing in the door of the
carriage. sees a singular spectacle
whenever the lightning illumines the
scene. The Spanish soldiers who we're
unable to find shelter still stand there,
| dripping wet. growing anathemas at
the tickle fortune that threatens to
roast them one minute and almost
browns them the next.
or course, the expedition can go no
| further, and their one hope is safe
return to Havana. Betrayed, they
| have fallen into snare and will be
lucky indeed to bring half of their
| number safely into port.
One thing Travers is sincerely sorry
for In asking questions he finds that
the gallant Gen. Toledo, to whom they
are indebted for a very great favor,
has not been seen since the disaster
at the bridge, and as he was on the
engine at the time, the chances are
he will never call upon Jack in Ha-
Vana to claim the generous contribu-
ton which the American promised in
return for his kindness.
The night wears away slowly.
The day breaks with a rather dis
nal prospect ahead, since there is
nothing to eat within many miles of
them. Travers remains in the COM
partment OF the guard. He hardly
cares to face the others, since the
senor has undoubtedly seen beneath
his disguise, and of course informed
his dear friend Spencer
About nine O'Clock whistle is
heard and when smoke over the out
er hill announces the coming Of a
train, the Spanish soldiers burst into
a vociferous cheer that no doubt con-
s;derably startles the driver on the
engine just coming into view.
OF course their troubles are now
at an end. so far as reaching Havana
is concerned. Since the bridge is de-
stroyed, there can be no forward
movement of the train; and when the
soldiers have climbed aboard, the
stranded carriage is taken in tow. and
the crab-like journey begun. Senor
Roblado, having been bafiled in the
outset of his grand coup to secure pos
session OF the famous Cuban leader.
will doubtless think twice before again
starting upon such desperate under
taking, which, II known to the secret
syn -athizerS Of the rebels in the
capital, would place his life in dan
ger.
About the middle OF a hot day the
train arrives in Havana. and the
whole city is electrified by the start
ling intelligence that the expedition
was ambushed, the train dynamited.
and but for the good fortune that
placed unlimited ammunition in the
hands of the soldiers after the rebels
had exhausted their stock. not a man
of the military force might have re-
turned to tell the tale.