Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-07-18

OF bedclothes, evidently snatched at
random. Trailing behind him, like a
bridal veil, was a mosquito-net, which
in his haste he had torn from it's fas-
Jennings.
It" guess this is poorw he exulted.
Bedding! Pillows! Mosquito-net! I'll
sleep comfortable after this"
Dumping his burden of sheets, blank
cts, and brilliantly colored cotton quilts
upon the floor, Branch selected two Of
the stoutest and began to knot the cor
ners together.
He had scarcely finished when Jud-
son reined in at the door and called to
O'Reilly: "We've cleaned out the drug
store. Better get a move on you, for
we may have to run any minute. I've
just heard about some Cuban prisoners
In the calaboose. Gimme a hand and
We'll let 'em out"
Sharing in the general consterna-
ton at the attack, the Jail guards had
disappeared, leaving Lopez men free
to break into the prison. When O'Reil-
~ Joined them the work was we'll I'M
der way. Selling whatever implements
they could find, Judson and O'Reilly
went from cell to cell, 5attering, pry-
ing, smashing, leaving their comrades
to rescue the inmates. While the
Americans smashed lock after lock,
their comrades dragged the %astonished
inmates from their kennels, hustled
them into the street, and took them up
behind their saddles.
The raid was over, RETREAT" was
sounding, when Judson and O'Reilly
ran out of the prison, reInounted. and
Joined their comrades, who were
streaming back toward the plaza.
Colonel Lopez g%alloped up to inquire,
a%nxiously, "Did You find those eatables,
eh?"
eyes, sir, and a lot more"
Good! But I failed. Pickles?
Caramba! Nobody here eve heard of
one!"
"Did we lose any men?" tucson
asked.
"Not one. But Ramos was badly
cut"
$50? Then he go: to close quarters
with some Spaniard?"
"Oh no." 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 voicing 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 b~lockhouses, pouring a
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 at
the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their
retreat by way of the canine real
which followed the river bank. This
road for a short distance was exposed
to the fire from n port then it was
by q bit of rising ground.
OReilly, among the last to cross the
zone Of fire, was just congratulating
upon the fortunate outcome Of
the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo-
PEI ride to the crest of a knoll, rise in
stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct a loud shout
lowed by several of his men, who like |
wise began to yell and to wave their |
excitedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Les |
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
now, as if to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to a place
where a large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and a spiteful crackle fromthe
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards We're determined to bring
linn down. Mauser bullets ricoeheted
among the rOcks-even from this dis
their sharp explosions were audi
)le-Others broke the surface of the
stream into little geysers, as if a school
fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on in breath
ess apprehension Branch appropriated
suits that promised to fit him;
hen he climbed up the bank, remount-
ID his horse, and ambled slowly out of
ange.
Now this vas precisely the sort of
larebrained exploit which delights a
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
oined his comrades, therefore, he was
with shouts and cheers.
"CaraEba! He would risk his life
or q clean shirt. There's a fell
DIV for you! He enjoys the hum Of
hese Spanish bees! . Bravo!
,ell us what the bullets said to YOU"
hey cried, crowding around him in an