The new age. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1896-1905, 1907-01-05

This Is 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 is what he
saw at Las Guasimas, where the Rough
Riders got their first taste of war:
If there were bullets flying now, he
did not know ibid not stop to think
Of them, but spurted over the rough I'M
even road, full of the idea that he was
to fire a few more shots for that gal
liant young soldier behind. 1t was
strange how completely that idea shut
out any other thought Now the firing
rang louder than ever; there were
cheers mingled with it. Chuggins came
in sight of an irregular mass Of men
ahead. They were charging through the
jungle and under the trees, firing as
they ran. AT quick, sharp command,
they lay down, but kept on firing. Pant
ing, Chuggins ran among them, unno-
ticed, throwing himself upon the
ground between two of the men.
Through the trees he caught just a
glimpse of little brown men In blue
and-white uniforms that looked very
much like bed-ticking. They were fir
ing at the Rough Riders as fast as they
could work their guns, while the Ameri-
cans were giving rather more than they
received.
Chuggins had no time to see whether
men were being hit around him, but he
knew that the hiss and chug of bullets
all about him was something terrify-
ing, and he had time to be afraid. For
a few moments he shook as If with
ague. 1t was the thought of that dead
soldiers face, with the lips trying to
say "Hurrah" that made a Sperry of
him again. Pushing the carbine out in
front of him, trying to see the blue
and-white uniforms through the fore
sight, Chuggins began to fire. 1t was
amazing how quickly that magazine
was emptiedi
Now the Rough Riders were up and
yelling again. Onward they dashed,
and the boy went with them. In the
rush he was left in the second line but
just as he finished slipping in the five
fresh cartridges, he reached the front
rank again. He fired ahead, because
the rest did; but 1t took him longer to
empty the magazine now than 1t did
when lying down. There was a spirit
ed scurrying, a wild hurrahing, and
the Spaniards had fed.
Now, when, men began to breathe
again, and rest, and look about for
they espied Chuggins, or
rather noticed him, for the first time
Certain of the officers were among the
most curious One of them strobe
swiftly over to the boys side, rested a
strong hand on his shoulder, and look
ed down inquiringly into his face.
in the mans features looked |
familiar. Chuggins remembered a por-
trait that he had seen in the newspa- |
pers.
You're Mr.. Roosevelt, are Mt your" |
be asked.
Yes, my lad; but who are you?"
Names Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Hansel," CnuggIns breath
essly explained.
How came you here? Where did
7ou get that gun? What are you doing
with it?"
Colonel Roosevelt did not look cross,
'ut he plainly meant to have the whole
story. So Chuggins told 1t briefly,
iwelling on the dead soldier whose lips
'eemed trying to cheer.
II felt sure he wouldn't mind my
aking his gun, If he could only say so,
'ir'" wound up the young narrator.
Fact is, l think he'd have been glad
o have me put in few more shots for
linn. and I'm glad l did,
Were MT you scared. Sperry?' ask
d Colonel Roosevelt, his face soften
ng.
lawfully, for a little while, but it
Tore off," came the candid reply.
Colonel Roosevelt looked at him