Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-08-23
CHAPTER XIV.
That slek Man from San Antonio.

by the Cuban leaders to divide their
forces into separate columns for the
purpose of raiding the smaller Spanish
garriSonS and harasSing the troops sent
to their relief, reasSembling these
bands only when and where some tell
ing blow was to be struck.
When OReilly and Branch enlisted
In the Army of the Orient they were
assigned to the command Of Col. Mig
uel Lopez, and 1t was under his leader
ship that they made their first ac-
quaintance with the peculiar methods
of Cuban warfare.
There had been, at first, some doubt
of BranCh's fitness to take the field at
all-he bad suffered a severe hemor-
rhage shortly after his arrival at Cubi-
tas-and 1t was only after a hysterical
demonstration on his part that he had
been accepted as a soldier. He simply
would not be left behind. At first the
Cubans regarded him with mingled
contempt and pity, for certainly no
less promising volunteer had ever
taken service with them. But upon
the occasion of the very first fight all
ill-will disappeared as If by magic, for,
although Branch deliberately dlsobeyed
orders, he nevertheless displayed such
amazing audaclty in the face Of the
enemy, such q theatrical contempt for
bullets, as to stupefy every one. More
over, he lived up to his reputation; he
continued to be insanely daring, vary
ing his exploits to correspond with his
moods, with the result that he attained
q popularity which was unique, nay,
sensational.
O'Reilly alone understood the reason
for the fellows morbid irritability, his
suicidal recklessness; but when he pri-
vately demonstrated he was grufly told
to mind his WI business. Branch flat
ly refused to modify his conduct; he
seemed really bent upon cheating the
disease that made his life a misery.
But, as usual, fate was perverse;
she refused to humor the sick mans
hope. When, after blindly inviting
death, Leslie had emerged from sew
eral engagements unscathed, his SIR
prise-and perhaps a natural relief ut
finding himself whole-became tinged
with a certain apprehension lest he
survive those deliberately courted dau-
gers only to succumb to the Ills and
privations Of camp life. The fellows
tongue grew ever sharper; his society
became intolerable, his gloom oppres-
slve and irresistibly contagious. When,
after several weeks Of campaigning,
the column went into camp for a short
rest, O'Reilly decided that he would
try to throw off the burden Of Leslie's
overwhelming detection, and, If pos
sible, shift a portion Of 1t upon the
shoulders Of Captain Judson.
On the day after their arrival O'Reil-
ly and the big artllleryman took advan-
tage of a pleasant stream to battle and
wash their clothes; then, while they
lay in their hammocks, enjoying the
luxury Of a tattered oil-cloth shelter
and waiting for the sun to dry their
garments, O'Reilly spoke what was in
his mind.
"I'm getting about fed up on Leslie"
he declared. "He's the worlds cham
pion crepe-hanger, and he's painted the
whole world such a deep, Respondent
blue that I'm completely dismal. You've
got to take him off my hands"
O'Reilly's youthful Assistant, who at
the moment was palnstakingly manu-
featuring a huge, black cigar for him.
self out Of some purloined tobacco,
pricked up his ears at the mention of
BranCh's name and now edged closer,
exclaiming:
"Caramba! There's q hero for you.
Meester Branch Is the bravest man ]
ever seen. Our people call him Ell
Demonio'w
O'Reilly jerked his head toward the
Cuban. "You see? He's made the hit
of his life, and yet he resents 1t. My
nerves are frayed out. I've argued my
self hoarse, but he mlsconstrues every.
thing / say. 1 wish you'd convince him
that he has a chance to get well; II
might alter his disposition. If some.
thing doesn't alter it I'll be court-mar.
tailed for shooting a man In his sleep
and I'll hit him right in the middle, nc
matter how slim he Is" O'Reilly com.
pressed his lips firmly.
The assistant, who had finished roll.
ing his cigar, nov lighted it and re-
peated: "Yes, sir, Meester Branch Is
the bravest man I ever seen. You re-
member that first battle, Ell? Those
Spaniards seer him comm and threw
down their guns and beat 1t. l laugh
to skill myself that day."
Jacket" was at once the youngest
and the most prOfane member Of Colo
mel Lopez's entire command. The most
shocking oaths fell from his beard.
less lips whenever he opened them tC
speak English, and O'Reilly's efforts tc
break the boy Of the habit proved quite
unavaillng.
This C~amagueTan boy was a char
acter. he was perhaps sixteen, and
small for his age-a mere child, In
fact. Nevertheless, he was a seasoned
| veteran, and his American camp-mates
!; had grown exceedingly fond Of him. Ht
was a pretty, graceful y%oungster; his
J eyes were large and soft and dark his