The Ordway new era., 1918-11-15
CHAPTER XIV.

| 1t was part OF the strategy practiced
by the Cuban leaders to divide their
forces into separate columns for the
purpose of raiding the smaller Spanish
garrisons and harasslng the troops sent
to their relief, reassembling these
bands only when and where some tell
ing blow was to be struck.
| When O'Reilly nnd 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 Brnnch's fitness to tnke the field at
nll-he had suffered severe hemor-
rhnge shortly after his arrival at Cubl-
tas-and 1t was only after hysterical
demonstration on his part that he had
been accepted us 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 II by magic, for,
although Branch deliberately disobeyed
orders, he nevertheless displayed such
amazing audacity in the face of the
enemy, such a theatrical contempt for
bullets, as to stupefy every one. More
over, he lived up to his reputation; lie
continued to be insanely daring, vary
Ing his exploits to correspond with his
moods. with the result that he attained
n popularity which was unique, nay.
sensational.
OReilly alone understood the reason
for the fellows morbid hyfx,pility. his
suicidal recklessness bR o1xxn II pri,
vately demonstrated he 90 UIhU told
to mind his own busineuL Np1 ch hat.
ly refused to modify he ==sAlAG; he
seemed really bent upGa 5.reatiiHg the
disease that made his life 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 sur
prise-and perhaps a natural relief at
finding himself whole-became tinged
with certain apprehension lest he
survive those deliberately courted dan
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 of the burden Of Leslie's
overwhelming detection. and. II 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 artilleryman took advan-
tage of pleasant stream to bathe 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.
'T'm getting about fed up on Leslie"
he declared. Hes the worlds cham
pion crepe-hanger. and he's painted the
whole world such a deep. despondent
blue that I'm completely dismal. You've
got to take him of my hands,"
O'Reilly's youthful assistant, who at
the moment was painstakingly manu-
featuring n huge, black cignr for him
self out of some purlolned tobacco.
pricked up his ears at the mention of
Brnnch's name and now edged closer,
exclaiming:
vCaramba! There's hero for you.
Meester Branch Is the bravest man I
ever seen. Our people call him 'El
Demonio'w
O'Reilly Jerked his head toward the
Cuban. "You sect He's made the hit
of his life, and yet he resents 1t. My
nerves are frayed out. I've argued my
self -honrse. but he mlsconstrues every
thing say. wish you'd convince him
that he has a chance to get well 1t
might alter his disposition. II some
thing doesn't alter 1t I'll be court-mar-
tailed for shooting man in his sleep
and I'll hit him right in the middle. no
matter how slim he is" O'Reilly COM
pressed his lips firmly.
The assistant, who had finished roll
ing his cigar. now lighted 1t and re-
peated: "Yes. sir. Aeester Branch is
the bravest man I ever seen. You re-
member that first battle. chr Those
Spnninrds seen him comm and threw
down their guns and beat It. laugh
to skill myself that day"
Jacket" was Mt 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 to
speak English, and O'Reilly's efforts to
break the boy Of the habit proved quite
unnvailing.
This Camagueyan boy was char
acter. He was perhaps sixteen. and
small for his age-a mere child. In
fact. Nevertheless. he was seasoned
veteran. and his American camp-mates
had grown exceedingly fond of him. He