The Elbert County tribune., 1905-11-30
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| WfSHY ALALL or TIM CUBAN WAR 8 |
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Copyright. 1899. by street ana smith.


soon annihiIate the troops. Within
the narrow confines of the railway the
horses are as much a hindrance as a
| help.
large number of the soldiers have
gathered about the lower end of the
coach. Jack can readily guess their
design is to guard the door where the
Spanish captain is passing out pack
ages OF ammunition In frenzied haste
Just in front of Travers occurs one
OF the most desperate engagements.
Some OF the mounted rebels have cut
their way through the lines, and are
slashing and hewing right and left
Jack is spellbound by the sight, but
he receives a greater shock presently.
He grips the arm of Smithers, who
crouches beside him, also watching
the first fierce engagement between
patriots and Spaniards shat it has been
his good fortune TO witness.
"Look-look!" cries Jack, hoarscly,
as he points into the thick of the
struggling, surging mass. See, a girl
among them-on that snow white
horse-a girl with flowing hair, and
welding a macbete. Look closely
Smithers. | could swear that is our
charming hostess. Lola Montez."
His words reach other ears than
those for whom they are intended.
Jessie. hears, and wonders. She has
read much Of these Cuban Amazons
who fight alongside their brothers and
lovers in fierce engagements. Perhaps
the way in which Travers unconscious
ly speaks of the girl as beautiful" and
charming" has something to do with
arousing her curiosity. At any rate,
she, too, endeavors to see the girl on
the white horse who thinks less of her
life than the sacred cause to which
she has devoted her existence.
Smithers in one glance sees that
Jack has spoken the truth. He in
stantly recognizes the lovely Amazon.
you are right sir; but please don't
mention names again. Walls and
rocks have. ears in Cuba now. Her
life might pay the penalty is what he
calls aloud in Jacks ears.
He has hardly spoken than his com
panion utters a cry
''She is down-her horse tripped
and has thrown her, Good heavens,
she will be killed before our very
eyes! See, that devil has his bayonet
aimed at her-only a wounded rebel
bars his way. He believes her to be
the leader, and is determined to turn
the tide. Smithers, l can't stand this.
Let go my arm, tell you"
Smithers dares not refuse when
Travers roars in this tone. Perhaps
he is not sorry, after all; for only that
Jack bars the way. the agent would
have leaped out of the door to the
rescue of the beautiful Amazon.
Jack is not second too soon.
The wounded rebel has proven no
match for the muscular Spanish sol
der, who has broken his hold, plunged
his sword-bayonet through the poor
devils body, and then. still intent on
the desperate deed that had engaged
his attention when interrupted. he
makes rush for the young girl. who,
still partially stunned by her fall, is
slowly picking herself up from. the
ground, while her white steed whin-
MES his dismay over the disaster
Before the furious soldier can carry
out his desperate intention, Travers
has seized hold of his gun-Travers.
who is boiling over with indignation at
the sight
There is brief but terrific struggle
in connection with the possession of
the gun. and only Jacks superior mus
cular power enables him to come out
victor.
With a furious outburst he sends the
soldier whirling down the slight en-
bankment, having at the same time
wrenched his gun out OF his hands.
AS Jack turns, he finds that Lola
has gained her feet. She no longer
appears dazed. but as her gaze fastens
eagerly upon the face of the one who
mas. saved her life, she gives him a
radiant smile.
Travers cannot hear what words she
utters, for guns have commenced to
rattle with the distribution of ammu-
milton among the men, but he accepts
the hand she impulsively stretches out
to him.
And Jessie Cameron sees 1t all from
the carriage door just back of Smith
ers-sees 1t with a feeling she cannot
comprehend-a peculiar sensation of
distress in the region of her heart, as
though in some unaccountable way the
proximity OF that Cuban beauty to her
protector gives her pain.
That is how Fate takes hand in
the affairs of Squire John once more.
and gives promise OF great results.
Another moment and the fearless
young girl has sprung upon her milk
white steed. and is in the thick of the
fray
Jack makes his way back to the shell.
ter of the carriage. as he has no desire
to become a target for the bullets that