Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-08-09

| ing invitations to combat. This ferOcity,
however, served only to terrify further
| the civil population and to close the
! shutters of San Antonio the tighter.
Meanwhile, the loyal troops remained
safely in their blockhouses, pouring a
steady fire into the town. And despite
this admirable display Of courage the
visitors showed deep respect for their
enemies craftsmanship, taking advan-
tage Of whatever shelter there was.
The raiders had approached San An
tonic de los Banos across the fields at
| the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their
| retreat by way of the canine real
which followed the river bank. This
road for a short distance was exposed
| to the fire from one port; then 1t was
sheltered by bit of rising ground.
O'Reilly, among the last to cross the
zone of fire, was just congratulating
himself upon the fortunate outcome of
| the skirmish when he saw Colonel LO-
pei ride to the crest of knoll, rise in
his stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct loud shout
lowed by several Of his men, who like
wise began to yell and to wave their
arms excitedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Les
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
now, as if to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and spiteful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
among the rocks-even from this dis
lance their sharp explosions were audi
ble-others broke the surface of the
stream into little geysers, as If school
Of fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on in breath
less apprehension Branch appropriated
several suits that promised to fit him /;
then he climbed up the bank, remount-
ed his horse, and ambled slowly out of
| range.
Now this was precisely the sort Of
harebrained exploit which delights u
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
joined his comrades, therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Caramba! He would risk his life
| for a clean shirt. /. . There's fell
low for you! He enjoys the hum of
| these Spanish bees! Bravo !
| Tell us what the bullets said to you,"
they cried, crowding around him in an
| admiring circle.
O'Reilly, unable to contain himself,
burst forth in rage: "Lopez ought to
| court-martial YOU"
| Infatuated, he rode over to where
Captain Judson was engaged in max
| ing litter upon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the Jail. "This chap here is all in,"
said Judson. I'm afraid we aren't 60
ing to get him through"
| Following Judson's glance, -O'Reilly
beheld an emaciated figure lying in the
shade of nearby guava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and OvergrOwn with a
months beard; pair of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
His lips were moving; from them is
sued steady patter of words, but 9TH
erwise he showed no sign Of life.
"You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson a hand
with his task.
'9That's what / thought at first, but
he's sick. I suppose it's that Internal
dungeon fever. We can swing him be-
tween our horses, and"
Judson looked up to discover that
Johnnie was poised rfgidly, his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil-
~, with a peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh? What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For moment O'Reilly remained
frozen in his attitude, then without a
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
turned face. A cry burst from his
/ throat, q cry that was IKE SOD, ana,
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"Esteban!" he cried. "Estebanl This
is O'Reilly. O'Rail-ye! Don't you know
me? O'Reilly, your friend, your broth
err! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you! Look at me, Es-
teban! Look at me! Look at me Oh,
Esteban!"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness,
such passionate pity were In his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintest
flame Of reason flickered for an instant
in the sick mans hollow eyes; then
they began to rove again, and the same
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil-
~ held the boy tenderly in his arms
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
plored Esteban to hear and to heed
him.
"Try to hear me! Try!" There was
fierce agony tn the cry. "Where Is
Rosa? Rosa? You're
safe now; you can tell me. .
You're safe with O'Reilly. l