The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-09-05
CHAPTER xvI-continued.

az tattered as the poorest of Betan-
courts common soldiers; his shoes
were broken and disreputable his cot
ton trousers, snagged by barbed wire
and brambles, and soiled by days in
the saddle and nights in the grass,
were in desperate need of attention
His beard had grown, too, and his skin.
where it was exposed. was burnt to
a mahogany brown. Certainly there
was nothing about his appearance to
bespeak his nationality.
The general continued: 81 am direct
ed in this letter to help you in some
enterprise. Command me, sir
AS briefly as possible Johnnie made
known the object of his journey. The
officer nodded his comprehension, but
as he did so a puzzled expression
crossed his face.
Eyes. 1 reported that Miss VarOna
had gone into the city took some
to doubt"
Not the least, sir"
''TheR-why have you come all this
wayY"
ST came to find her and to fetch her
to her brother"
"But-yOu don't understand. She is
actually inside the lines, in A1atan-
zas-a prisoner
Exactly. intend to go into Matan-
zas and bring her out"
General Betancourt drew back, as
tonished. my dear mani" he ex-
claimed. care you mad?'
O'Reilly smiled family. "Quite
probably. ALI lovers are mildly mad,
believe"
''Ah! Lovers! 1 begin to see But
how do you mean to go about this
this-impossibIe undertaking."
You told me just now that 1 could
pass for a Cuban. Well, / am going
to put it to the test If once get into
the city I shall manage somehow to
get out again, end bring her with me-"
"Um-m!" The general appraised
O'Reilly speculatively. mo doubt you
can get init is not so difficult to en-
ter, I believe, and especially TO one
who speaks the language like a native.
But the return-I fear you will find
that another matter. Matanzas is q
place of pestilence, hunger, despair.
Ne one goes there from choice any
more. and no one ever comes OUT
$50 should imagine" The speak
er's careless tone added to General Be
tancOurt'S establishment. "Bless me -
he exclaimed. what an extraordi-
nary young man. Is it possible that
you do not comprehend the terrible
conditioner" A sudden thought struck
him and he inquired quickly: "Tell me,
you are not by any chance that hero
they call FL Demonio? 1 have heard
that he is indeed demon. No? Very
well! You say you wish to visit Ma
tanzas, and I am instructed to help
you. How can do SOP
O'Reilly hesitated an instant. "For
one thing. I need money. II haven't
a single peseta."
"You are welcome to the few dol
lars I possess"
Johnnie expressed his gratitude for
this ready assistance "One thing
more," said he. ''Will you give my
aud send him back to the Orient at the
first opportunity"
"Of course. It is DONE" The gen.
eral laid a friendly hand upon O'ReiI-
iy's shoulder, saying, .gravely: at
would relieve me intensely to send you
back with him, for / have fears for
the success Of your venture. Matanzas
is d hell; it has swallowed up thou
sands of our good countrymen; thou
sands have died there. I'm afraid you
do not realize what risks you are tax
ing"
OReilly did not allow this we'll
meant warning to influence him, nor
did he listen to the admonitions of
those other Cubans who tried to argue
with him out of his purpose, once 1t
became known. On the contrary, he
proceeded with his preparations and
spent that afternoon in satisfying him
self that Rosa had indeed left the Pan
de Matanzas before Cobo's raid.
Among BetancOurt's troops was a
man who had been living in the hills
at the time Asensio and his family
had abandoned their struggle for ex-
istence, and to him O'Reflly went. This
fellow, it seemed, had remained with
his family in the mountains some time
after Asensio's departure 1t was
from him that O'Reilly heard his first
Authentic report of the atrocities per
Detrated by CobO's volunteers. This
man had lost his wife. his little son
and all the scanty belongings he pos
seSsed. With shaking hands up
stretched to heaven. the fellow cursed
the author of his misfortunes.
81 live for one thingl" he cried
Ohriliy-''to meet that monster, and tc
bNtcher him, as he butchers womer
and children"
O'ReiIly purposely left his most I'm
pleasant task to the last When, his
arrangements had been completed anC
he had acquainted himself as far a:
possible with the hazards he was likely
to encounter. he took Jacket aside an(
broke the news to him that on the fol
lowing morning they must part. A.
Ne had expected, the boy refused Il
listsn 10 him. O'Reilly remained firm
and Jacket began to weep copiousIy
He worked himself up to a hysterica
crescendO which threatened to arous,
she entire encampment. But O'Reill,
VAS unmoyed.
BE quiet" he told the boy. e
won't let you go with me, and tina
ends it. 1t viii be hard enough for on,
Enau fa slim FhrOgICh. fu-o xvor,ll5 ~