The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-08
CHAPTER Kill.
The City Among the Leaves and the
City of Beggars-

ne SiIH among InS Leaves ana tnC
City of Beggars-
The night was moonless and warm.
An impalpable haze dimmed the star
glow, only the diffuSed illumination Of
the open sea enabled the passengers
of the Fair Play to identify that
blacker darkness on the horizon ahead
of them as land. Major Ramos was on
the bridge with the captain. Two men
were taking soundings in a blind
| search for that steep wall which forms
the side of the old Bahama channel.
When the lead finally gave them warn
ing, the Fair Play lost her Roadway
and came to stop, rolling lazily.
Major Ramos spoke in a low tone
from the darkness above, calling for a
volunteer boats crew to reconnoiter
and to look for an opening through the
reef. Before the words were out of
his mouth O'ReiIly had offered him
self.
Ten minutes later he found himself
at the steering oar of one of the ships
lifebOats, heading shOreward. There
was a long nights work ahead; time
passed, and so O'Reilly altered his
course and cruised along outside she
white water, urging his crew to IustIer
| strokes
A mile-two miles-It seemed like
| ten to the taut oarsmen, and then a
black hiatus Of still water showed in
| phosphOrescent foam. OReilIy ex-
| plOred it briefly; then he turned back
toward the ship. Soon he and his crew
were aboard and the ship was cropping
her way toward the break In the reef.
Meanwhile, her deck became q scene
of feVerish activity; out from her hold
came cases OF ammunition and medical
supplies; the fieldpiece on the bow was
| hurriedly dismounted; the small boats,
of which there was an extra number,
were swung out, with the result that
when the Fair Play had Unanswered
as close as she dared everything was
in readiness.
O'Reilly took the first load through,
and discharged it upon sandy beach.
Every man tumbled overheard and
waded ashore with packing case; he
dropped this in the sand above high
tide mark, and then ran back for an
other. 1t was swift, hot work. From
the darkness on each side came the
sounds of other boat crews similarly
engaged.
Daylight was coming when the last
| boat cast OFF and the Fair Play, with
hoarse, triumphant blast of her
whistle, faded into the north, her part
in the expedition at an end.
| Dawn showed the vOyagers that they
were indeed fortunate, for they were
upon the mainland of Cuba, and as far
as they could see, both east and west,
the reef was unbroken. Men were
loiling about, exhausted, but Major Ra-
mos allowed them no time for rest he
reused them, and kept them on the go
until the priceless supplies had been
collected within the shelter OF the
brush Then he broke open certain
packages and distributed arms among
| his followers.
/ The three Americans, who were
munching a tasteless breakfast OF
/ pilot bread. were Joined by Major Ra>
mos 81 am dispatching q message
to General Gomez headquarters, ask
ing him to send q pack train and an
escort for these supplies. There is
danger here; perhaps You would like
to go Oh with the couriers-"
O'Reilly accepted eagerly; then
thinking Of the girl, he said doubt
fully:
I'm afraid Miss Evans isn't equal
to the trip"
Nonsense! I'm equal to anything"
! Norine declared And indeed she looked
capable enough as she stood there In
her short walking suit and stout boots
Branch alone declined the invitation,
vowing that he was too weak to bulge
If there was the faintest prospect Of
riding TO the interior he infinitely pre-
ferred TO await the opportunity, he
said. even at the risk Of an attack by
SDanish soldiers I'm the meantime.
It took O'ReIIly but short time to
collect the few articles necessary for
the trip; indeed, Ids bundle was so
small that Norine was dismayed.
SCan't I take any clothesT' she In
CURED In a panic. u can't live with
out q change"
sTt Is something you'll have to
learn" he told her. IAN insurrecto
with two shirts Is wealthy. Some OF
them haven't any,.