Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-11-21
4 -pId We lose any meny' Judscn

with some Spaniard?"
"Oh mol" The colonel grinned. "He
was In too great a hurry and broke
open a showcase with his fist"
The retreating Cubans still main
tanned their uproar, discharging their
rifles into the air. shrieking defiance at
their invisible foes, and v0icing insult
ing invitations to combat. This ferocity,
however, served only to terrify further
the civil population and to close the
shutters of San Antonio the tighter.
Meanwhile, the loyal troops remained
safely In their blockhouses, pouring u
| steady fire into the town. And despite
this admirable display of courage the
visitors showed a deep respect for their
enemies craftsmanship, taking advan-
tage of whatever shelter there was.
The raiders had approached San An
tonic de los Banos across the fields ut
the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their
retreat by way of the canine real
which followed the river bank. This
road for short distance was exposed
to the fire from one port; then II was
sheltered by bit of rising ground.
O'Reilly, among the last TO cross the
zone of fire, was just congratulating
himself upon the fortunate outcome of
the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo-
peg ride to the crest of a knoll, rise in
his stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct 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
i arms excitedly.
: Johnnie turned to discover that Les
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
: now, as If to cap his fantastic perform
! anees, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to place
where d large washing had been spread
| upon the stones to dry. He was quite
t exposed, and a spitefu1 crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
l Spaniards were determined to bring
| him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
among the rocks--even from this dis
| lance their sharp explosions We're audi
I ble--others broke the surface OF the
| stream into little geysers, as IL school
l of fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on In breath
v less apprehension Branch appropriated
4 several suits that promised to fit him
then he climbed up the bank, remount-
ed his horse, and ambled slowly out OF
\ range.
Now this was precisely the sort OF
4 harebrained exploit which delights q
4 Cuban audience When Leslie re
/ Joined his comrades, therefore, he was
| greeted with shouts and cheers.
! "Carambai He would risk his life
A for a clean shirt. There's a fel
a low for youi He enjoys the hum OF
i these Spanish bees Bravo
4 Tell us what the bullets said to YOU
they cried, crowding around him in III
] admiring circle.
O'Rellly, unable to contain himself
burst forth in rage: LOPEZ ought Z
court-martial you"
Infatuated, he rode over to wher'
Captain Judson was engaged in max
ing litter upon which to carry tn
sick prisoner they had rescued iron
the Jail. "Ths chap here is all in,
said Judson. 'T'm afraid we aren't &c
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Relll
beheld an emasiated figure lying in th
y shade Of nearby guava bush. TIL
man was clad In filthy rags, his fac
10 was dirty and overgrown with
st months beard; a pair Of restless eye
y, stared unblinkingly at the brazen SIX!
vs. His lips were moving; from them u
r. sued a steady patter of words. but OIL
ha oh M ciU of ffA
re .You said he was starving" Johnni
dismounted and lent Judson a han
ry with his task.
er 'sThat's what / thought at first, br
he's sick. / suppose it's that inferns
a dungeon fever. We can swing him b.
s. tween our horses, and"
rs Judson looked up to discover tbs
Mt Johnnie was poised rigidly, his mout
ul open, his hands halted in midair. Th
at sick mans voice had risen, and O'Rei
a ly, with a peculiar expression {
CHI amazement upon his face, was straiI
IS ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh? What's the matter3" Judso
ID. inquired.
III For a moment 0'Reilly RENAME
frozen in his attitude, then WITHOUT
k word he strobe to the sufferer. He Der
It's forward, staring into the vacant, al
of turned face. A cry burst from HI
'r- throat, cry that was like sob, an,
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filth
d. figure into his arms.
to ''Esteban !" he cried. "Esteban TIL
ug is O'Reilly. O'Rail-ye! Don't you kno
or me? O'Reilly, your friend, your brou
We erl For Gods sake, tell me wht
RS they've done to you Look at me, E
nd tebanl Look at met Look at me Oh
EstebanI"
IA Such eagerness, such thankfulnes
ad such passionate pity were in hi
ec friends hoarse voice that Jndson dre1
IL closer. He noticed that the faintes
n flame of reason fickered for an instar
It's In the sick mans hollow eyes; the