Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-01-22


He could see table. and around 1t
some men in uniform. drinking and
smoking. The figures were. of course.
indistinct, and although Holton could
catch the sound of their voices. he
could not make out what was being
said.
AS he crouched thus under the win
dow-ledge the front door opened. and
figure passed out and walked to one
end of the long veranda. Here the
man emitted low whistle, which was
not answered. With muttered excla.
nation. the stranger retraced his
steps. and. walking directly past Hoi-
ton In the other direction. leaned over
the railing and whistled again.
IIolton never afterward knew what
possessed him, but he noticed that the
man had left the front door slightly
ajar. Acting upon quick thought. he
suddenly leaned down, unlaced his
shoes, and then. with a quick glance
at the fellow still leaning over the
railing and cursing under his breath.
he stole from his position. made for
the open door. and slipped hastily and
noiselessly into the hall.
A light with a deep red shade was
burning here, and the shadows 1t cast
were heavy. The door of the room In
to which he had been peering was half
open, and across the hall. directly op-
posite. was a corresponding room. the
interior of which was not lighted.
Into this apartment. scarcely breath
ing, Holton stole. standing inside the
jamb and listening with strained ears
Before he could adjust himself to the
sense of what was being said. the man
who had emerged from the door when
Holton was on the veranda returned
into the hall. closed the door and en-
tered the lighted room. He was at
tired in the uniform OF a captain in
the navy, and his entrance seemed to
quiet somewhat the ardor of the argu-
ment
1T is agreed. then gentlemen. that
the city cannot long endure siege?"
The voice was deep and authoritative.
Holton. in an ecstasy Of eagerness.
craned bis head forward.
Il for one deny It," was the angry
response
But aside from you, general" was
the rejoinder. I'VE seem unanimous. DO
we not?"
There was chorus OF assent
Then Hoilton heard voice that he
recognized; voice that sent thrills
down his spine and caused him TO
loosen his revolver in its holster.
Skaters army alone would not suf.
fee. But know that General Miles
with reinforcements will soon be here.
and know, also, that while General
Shafter would prefer to abandon his
present position, he will not do SO.
can inform you. too. that the lines OF
our army will not be attacked by
charge on the morrow. and that long
siege will he entered upon. The Amer
leans are in excellent health. and they
will starve us to submission"
II was the voice of the waiter OF the
New Willard.
But, Senior Cesnola." interposed the
first speaker, you have led us to be
lieve that within a week. at least, your
Cuban rebels will turn upon the Amer
leans
They will when l give the word"
Then why not give it?"
because the time IL notripe. They
would be wiped out of existence. That
time must come when the fever has
begun Its work and the army is be-
ginning to be demoralized. Two
three-fve more days in the trenches
on the hIllsides under this hot sun,
will do our work for us"
..Gentlemen" went on the first
speaker. my mind is made up. To-
morrow Is the End of July. We shall
make no move then. But ] warn you.
II on the morning OF July 3 the situa-
ton is still unchanged the fleet will
leave Santiago harbor. Orders FROM
Blanco are getting imperative. II we
survive the attempt and reach Havana
we shall be safe; It cannot be taken.
believe. In years siege. Here the
successful storming of our lines means
the end of our navy and the unsuccess-
full close OF this war"
so this is your decision?" inquired
another voice.
Those are my orders and they are
final"
Holton, trembling like leaf. his
mouth hanging open. drank in the
words as a drowning man drinks In
hts last breath of air. He could hard
ly credit his senses.
Here, after night of aimless
stumbli iy through the blnckness ana
through the rain. ne had CHANGED upon
the very place of all places where in
formation most valuable to his coun-
try's success was to be obtained.
The voices had fallen to hum and.
strain his ears as he would, he could
catch no more than fragmentary sen,
tences. Some one went out at the
door. and presently the sound OF
horses hoofs was heard on the shell
driveway. Three men departed. and
.hs... iIei.I.., hsard the sEEa min. of