The Pulaskian. (Pulaski Heights [Little Rock], Ark.) 1915-1929, 1918-07-19

zone OF lire, was just congratulating
himself upon the fortunate outcome of
the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo-
peg ride to the crest of a knoll, rise in
his stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct a loud shout
back toward the town. Lopez was fol-
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 rieocheted
among the roeks-even from this dis
lance their sharp explosions were audi
ble-others broke the surface of the
stream into little geysers, as if a 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
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
joined his comrades therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Caramba He would risk his life
low for you! He enjoys the hum of
these, Spanish bees! Bravo !!
Tell us what the bullets said to you"
they cried, erowding around him in an
admiring circle.
O'Reilly, unable to contain himself,
burst forth in a 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. "Im afraid we aren't go
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaeiated figure lying in the
shade of a nearbysguava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and oyergrown with a
months beard; pair of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
1iT1cs ic-
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.
"That's what 1 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 rigidly, his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil-
! ly, 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
forward, staring into the vacant, up
turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, a cry that was like sob, and
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"Estebanl" he cried "Esteban! 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'll Look at me, Es-
teban! Look at met Look at me! oh,
Estebani"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness,
such passionate pity were in his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintest
fame of reason f1ickered for an instant
In the sick mans hollow eyes; then
they began to rove again, and the same
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil-
ly 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 in the cry. "Where is
Rosa2 Rosa? You're
safe now; you can tell me. {.
You're safe with O'Reilly.
came back :. came back for you
and Rosa. Where is she? 4.
Is she-dead?"
Other men were assembling now.
The column was ready to move, but
Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez and
made known the identity of the sick
stranger. The colonel came forward
swiftly and laid hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder, saying:
$50! You were right, after all. Es-
teban Varona didn't die. God must
have sent us to San Antonio to deliver
him."
Hes sick, sickl" o'Reilly said,
huskily. "Those Spaniards Look
what they've done to him." His voice