Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-07-10

A ASAO Va S@1hAo8Vs
This IL the story Of boy, whose Va
rious ancestors had served in all Of the
American wars The fighting blood In
him was too strong to be resisted, and
he finally made his way to Cuba with
the American troops. Here IL what he
saw at Las Guasimas, where the Rough
Riders got their first taste Of war:
II there were bullets flying now, he
did not know ibid not stop to think
Of them, but spurted over the rough, un-
even road, full Of the Idea that he was
to fire q few more shots for that gal
liant young soldier behind It was
strange how completely that Idea shut
out any other thought. Now the firing
rang louder than ever; there were
cheers mingled with 1t. Chuggins came
in sight Of an irregular mass Of men
ahead. They were charging through the
Jungle and under the trees, firing a.
they ran. At a quick, sharp command,
they lay down, but kept on firing. Pant
ing. Chugsins ran among them, unno-
ticed, throwing himself upon the
ground between two Of the men.
Through the trees he caught Just .
glimpse Of little brown men In blue
and-white uniforms that looked very
much like bed-ticking. They were nr-
ing at the Rough Riders a. fast 40 they
could work their guns. while the Ameri-
cans were giving rather more than they
received
Chuggins had no time to see whsther
men were being hit around him, but be
knew that the hiss and chug Of bullets
all about him was something terrify-
ing. and he had time to be afraid For
few moments he shook a. II with
ague. It was the thought Of that dead
soldiers face. with the lips trying to
say "Hurrah!" that made q sperry Of
him again. Pushing the carbine out IN
front Of, him, trying to ses the blue
and-white uniforms through the fore
sight, Chusgins began to IRE. It was
amazing how quickly that magazine
was smptiedi
Now the Rough Riders were up and
yelling again. Onward they dashed,
and the boy went with them. In the
rush no was left in the second line; but
Just a. he finished slipping In the i've
fresh cartridges, be, reached the front
rank again. He fred ahead, because
the rest did; but It took him longer to
empty the magazine now than It did
when lying down. There was q spirit
ed scurrying, q wild hurrahing. and
the spaniards had ned.
Now, when men began to breathe
again, and rest, and look about for
comrades, they espied Chuggins, or
rather noticed him. for the first Tina
Certain Of the officers were among the
most curious. One Of them strsde
swiftly over to the boys side, rested q
strong hand on his shoulder, and look
ed down inquiringly into his faca
Something in the mans features looked
familiar. Chuggins remembered q por-
trait that he had seen In the newspa-
perA
you're Mr.. Roosevelt. are MT your
he asked.
Eyes, my lad; but who are your
~Name's Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Hansel," Chuggins breath
lessly explained.
allow came you here? Where did
you get that gun7 What are you doing
with itT
Colonel Roosevelt did not look cross,
but be plainly meant to havo the whole
story. So Chugglns told It briefly,
dwelling on the dead soldier whose lips
seemed trying to cheer.
II felt sure he wouldn't mind my
taking his gun, II he could only say 20,
sir" wound mp the young narrator.
Fact il, I think he'd have been glad
to have me put In few more shots for
him, and I'm glad did"
"were MT you scared, Sperryr' ask.
ed Colonel Roosevelt his face soften
ing.
lawfully, for q little while, but It
wore or" came the candid reply.
Colonel Roosevelt looked at him