Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-12-26


the travelling party, men who knew
something of the country round about
they were good fighters, doubtless, but
IN spite of their shiny new weapons
/ they resembled soldiers even less than
did their major. All were dressed as
they had been when they left New
York; one even wore derby hat and
pointed patent-leather shoes. Never
theless Norine Evans thought the little
cavalcade presented quite a martial
appearance as it filed away into the
jungle.
The first few miles were trying, for
the coast was swampy and thickly
grown up to underbrush; but In time
The jungle gave place to higher timber
and TO open savannas deep in guinea
grass. Soon after noon the travellers
came to a farm, the owner of which
was known to one of the guides, and
here a stop was made In order to Sc
cure horses and food.
Johnnie who was badly tagged from
he previous nights work, found n
shady spot and stretched himself out
for q nap.
The shade was grateful. O'Reilly
enjoyed his sleep.
The party had penetrated to the foot
hills of the Sierra de Cubitas, and as
they assembled, the scenery changed.
Rarely is the Cuban landscape any
thing but pleasing 1t is smiling
island. 1t has been said, too, that ev-
crything in it is friendly to man: the
people are amiable, warm-hearted the
very animals and insects are harmless.
.But here in the Cubitas range all was
different. The land was stern and for
bidding: canyons deep and damp
raised dripping walls to the sky; Bride
paths skirted lodges that were bold
and fearsome, or lost themselves in
gloomy jungles as noisome as Spanish
dungeons. Hidden away in these fast
nesses, the rebel government had es-
tablished its capital. Here, safe from
surprise, the soldiers of Gomez and
'inrco ond Garcia rested between at
tacks, nursing their wounded and re-
cruiting their strength for further sal
lies.
1t was q strange seat of govern
ment-no nation ever had stranger
for the state buildings were huts of
bark and leaves, the army was uni
formed in rags. Cock fires smoldered
in the open glades; cavalry horses
gClZed in the grassy streets, and wood
smoke drifted over them.
The second evening brought O'ReIlly
and Miss Evans safely through, and at
news of the expeditions success a
pack train was made ready to go to
its assistance. Norine's letter from the
New York junta was read, and the
young woman was warmly welcomed
One of the better huts was vacated for
her use, and the officers of the pro-
visional government called to pay their
respects.
There were other Americans In Gu
bitas, as O'Reilly soon discovered. Dur
ing his first inspection Of the villages
he heard himself hailed In his own Ian
guage, and young man In dirty |
white trousers and jacket strobe !
toward him.
welcome to our city" the stranger |
cried. I'm Judson, captain of artil- |
lery, departments del Oriente; and |
you're the fellow who came with the |
quinine lady, aren't you?"
O'Reilly acknowledged his identity,
and Judson grinned. Have you met |
the old man." he inquired-"General |
GomezT'
mo; I'd like to meet him"
Come along, then; I'll introduce
you"
Gen. Maxine Gomez, father of pa
triots, bulwark of the Cuban cause.
was seated In a hammock, reading
some letters; O'Reilly recognized him
instantly from the many pictures he
mad seen. He looked up at Judson's
salute and then turned a pair of bril-
liant eyes, as hard as glass. upon
oReilly. His was an irascible, brood
ing face; it had in it something of the
sternness, the exalted detachment. of
the eagle, and O'Reilly gained hint of
the personality behind 1t. Maxine
Gomez was counted one Of the worlds
ablest guerrilla leaders; and indeed
IT had required the quenchless entbu-
slasm OF real military genius to fuse
into homogeneous fighting force the
lll-assorted rabble of nondescripts
whom Gomez led, to school them 70
prlvation and to render them sufficient
~ mobile to defy successfully ten
times their number of trained troops.
ms however, was precisely what the
old Porto Rican had done, and In doing
IL he had won the admiration of mill.
tary students.
With a bluntness not unkind no
asked O'Reilly what had brought him
to Cuba.
When O'Reilly explained the reason
Tor his presence the old fighter nod
ded. 'N
"so2 You wish to go west eb,r
Yes, sir. want to find Colonel
Lopez"
Lopez? Miguel Lopez?~ the gen.
erai inquired quickly. "Well, you won't
have to look far for him." General
Gomez leathery countenance ligbtened
into smile. 'He happens to be right