The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-01-23
CHAPTER X.
GETTING Into Santiago.

clOuded over and it was raining, Half
way down the slope Of the hill Holton
stumbled over something. He stopped
and looked down and saw group of
four regulars contorted in death.
Holton bowed his head in silent sa.
lutte and passed on. The glory of war,
he felt. must come after the war IS
over. He had felt none OF it all through
the battle. The least offensive word
he could apply to this days business
was that it had been sordid-a glut Of
blood.
The wound in his head was hurting.
and for the first time thoughts of blood
poisoning assailed him. He had not
had it dressed in two days. Still it
was slight, and it might as we'll be pol
soning as something else. For he had
abandoned any hope OF escaping his
present venture with his life.
All he asked, all he prayed was that
he might be spared until he had &C.
complished something.
Over his arm he carried a uniform
and hat which he had taken from
dead Spanish soldier, and now sitting
on the ground he Invested himself of
his clothing and put on that Of the
Spaniard.
The fit was fairly good, and Holton
decided that with his unkempt black
hair, his beard which had not seen
razor for several days, and his sun.
Drowned face he might very readily
pass for Spanish regular, at night at
least. Retaining his carbine and his
web bullet-belt, he proceeded on his
way, finally turning at right angles
and making straight toward the hills
that flanked the city on the left.
He was now at the first line of en-.
trenchments. They were we'll made
and filled with men, most of them, ap-
parently, sleeping. He saw some sol.
diers at work with spades, and walk.
ing up to one man who did not appear
to be manfesting any great enthusi.
asm in his task, Holton seized the
spade and throwing it over his Shout
der, handed the man his carbine in ex.
change.
He had decided it was time to rid
himself Of his gun He did not expect
to miss it, as he still had his revolver.
and was very expert in it's use.
A number of soldiers armed with
spade and pick-axes were moving
about and for the first time Holton
began to see clear way of getting
into the city. In fact, he joined a
gang returning in that direction and |
walked along with them, initiating as
closely as possible their slouching
gait and their manner of carrying their
implements.
One of them finally addressed him.
well, brother" he said. "the Amer.
leans will receive tomorrow as much
as they expect"
"They have fought WELL" muttered
Holton, assuming a sort Of huskiness
Like devils" was the reply.
Eyes, like DEVILS" added another
Where are you going?" Holton
asked.
ITO the barracks" said some one.
"And l." rejoined Holton with a
trace of pride, "am going into the city
to present a letter from my colonel to
Senior La Tossa, who has, | have
heard, very handsome estate, near
Cuabitas."
"Ah, La Tossa!" said his companion. |
eyes, do you know where he lives?"
"Over that way" replied the man
with a sweep Of his arm to the left.
"You must take the Santa Ines road,
going northeast. Inquire then of 9TH
ers you may meet"
well, shall first 60 to the city for
drop of aguardiente, and then"
Holton shrugged, pleasure first and
duty afterward."
The soldiers turned off into the out.
skirts of the town.
The rain was pattering dismally. 1t |
beat into Holton's face and ran In
rivulets down the road. The lights
ahead showed with watery blur; it |
was in all night that man or beast |
might wish himself indoors.
(TO BE CONTINUED.l