The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1918-07-19
isn't il likely to rain on US 2

Miss Evans pondered this prospect ;
then she laughed. 1T must feel fun
ny" she said
There were three other members of
the travelling party. men who knew
something of the country round about;
they We're good fighters, doubtless, but
in spite of their shiny new weapons
they resembied soldiers even less than
did their major All were dressed as
they had been when they left New
York; one even wore a 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 Il farm, the owner of which
was known to one of the guides. and
here stop was made in order TO Sc
cure horses and food
Johnnie. who was badly tagged from
the previous nights work, found a
shady spot and stretched himself out
for a 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. It is smiling
island. 1t has been said, too. that ev
erything in il is friendly to man: the
people are amiable, warm-hearted the
very animals and insects are harmless.
But here in the Cubtas 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 iungles as noiSome as Spanish
dungeons. Hidden away in these fast
nesses. the rebel government had es-
tablished its capital. Here. safe from
sui ltIlSt lllt SblNItIN III NItIleZ anu
Maeeo and Garcia rested between at
tackS, nursing their wounded and re-
cruiting their strength for further sal
lies.
1t WAS a strange seat of govern
ment-no nation ever had stranger
for the state buildings We're huts of
bark and leaves, the army was uni
formed in rags. Cook fires smoldered
in the open glades; cavalry horses
graZed 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
pack train was made ready to go to
its assistance. Nerine'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 village
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. departmental 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 nquired-"General
Gomez?'
No; 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 hammock, reading
some letters; O'Reilly recognized him
instantly from the many pictures he
had seen. He looked up at Judson's
salute and then turned pair of bril-
liant eyes, as hard as glass, upon
O'Reilly. His was an irascible, brood
ing face; it had in it something of the
sternness, the exalted detachment. of
the eagle, and 0'Reilly gained hint of
the personality behind It. Maxine
Gomez was counted one of the worlds
ablest guerrilla leaders and indeed
it had required the quenchlesS enthu-
siasm OF real military genius to fuse
into homogeneous fighting force the
ill-asSored rabble of nondescripts
whom Gomez led, to school them to
privation and to render them sufficient
ly mobile to defy successfully ten
times their number Of trained troops.
This, however, was precisely what the
old Porto Rican had done. and in doing
ii he had Won the admiration of mill
tary students.
With Il bluntness not unkind he
asked O'Reilly what had brought him
to Cuba.
When O'Reilly explained the reason
for his presence the old fighter nod
ded.
so? You wish to go west. chg
Yes, sir. | want to find Colonel
Lopez"
Lopez? Miguel Lopez" the gen
eral inquired quickly. We'll, you won't
have to look far for him" General
Gomez leathery eountenanee llehtened
into smile. lie happens To be right
here in Cubitas." Calling Iudson To
him, he said: amigo. take Mr.. O'Reilly
to Colonel Lopez; you will find him
somewhere about. | am sorry we are
not Ia hnA-n lii. ,.n,1n.. f..l1--... =.