Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-07-12
A Tale of Santiago.

A Tale of Santiago.
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 1t. 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 a 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 theAmer1-
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 terrtfy-
ing, and he had time to be afraid. For
few moments he shook as If with
ague. 1t was the thought of that dead
soldiers face, with the lips trying to
say "Hurrahl" 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 emptied
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 fred ahead, because
the rest did; but it took him longer to
empty the magazine now than it 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
comrades, 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 lnquiringly into his face
Something in the mans features looked
familiar. Chuggins remembered a Dor
trait that he had seen in the newspa-
pers.
You're Mr.. Roosevelt, are MT your"
he asked
Eyes, my lad; but who are your
Names Sperry, sir. Striker for
Lieutenant Hansel," Chuggins breath
lessly explained.
"How came you hereP Where did
you get that gun? What are you doing
with it2''
Colonel Roosevelt did not look Cross
but he plainly meant to have the whole
story. So Chuggins told 1t briefly,
dwelling on the dead soldier whose Inns
seemed trying to cheer.
II felt sure he wouldn't mind nv
taking his gun, If he could only say 80.
sir" wound up the young narrator.
Fact is, think he'd have been glad
to have me put in a few more shots for
j him, and I'm glad did"
Were MT you scared, Sperry ~ ask
ed Colonel Roosevelt his face soften
| ing.
lawfully, for a little while, but It
wore off," came the candid reply.
J Colonel Roosevelt looked at him