The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-07-26

OEcilly among the last 70 cross the
I zone Of fire, was just cOngratulating
himself upon the fortunate outcome of
the skirmish when he saw CClcnel Lo-
pez ride to the crest Of 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 10 discover that Les
lie Branch had Jagged far behind- and
now, as IL TO cap his fantastic perform
anccs, had dismounted and was de,
scendlng the river bank to a place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and spitcful 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
tance 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-
cd his horse, and amblcd 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
for n clean shirt. There's a fell
low for you. He enjoys the hum OF
these Spanish bees! Bravo!
Tell us what the bullets said to YOU"
admlring circle.
O'Reilly, unable to contain himself,
burst forth in a rage: LOPEZ ought TO
court-martlal you"
Infuriated, he rode over TO where
Captain Judson was engaged in MAX
ing "A 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
behcld an emaciated figure lying in the
shade Of nearbys sguaya bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and overgrown with
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
dsmounted and lent Judson q hand
with his task.
"That'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 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'Rellly remained
frozen in his attitude, then without n
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward staring into the vacant up
turned face. A cry bhrst from his
throat, a cry that was like sob, and,
kneeling, he gathered the frail filthy
figure into his arms.
"Esteban!" he cried. "Esteban! This
Is O'Reilly. O'Rail-yel Don't you know
me? ORellly, your friend, your broth
er! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you Look at me, Es-
toban! Look at me! Look at me Oh,
Estcbanl"
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
rustllng whisper recommended. O'Reil
ly held the boy tenderly in his arms
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
porcd Esteban to hear and to heed
him.
"Try to hear me! Try" There was
fierce Qgony in the cry. "Whera is
Rosa? Rosa? :. You're
safe nov; you can tell me. =.
You're Gafe with O'Reilly. /
came back I came back for you
and Rosa. Where is she?
Is She-dead"
Other men were assembling now.
The column was ready 10 move, but
Judson s'gnaled 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:
80! You were right, after all. Es-
teban Varona didn't die. God must
have sent us to San Antonio to deliver
him"
Hes sick, sick" O'Reilly said,
huskily. "Those Spaniards Look
what they've done to him." His voice
changed. He cried, fiercely: "Well,
I'm late again. I'm always just little
hit too late. He'll die before he can