Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-08-30

zone Of IRE, vas just COngratulattng
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 a 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
arms excltedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Les
lie Branch had tagged far behind, and
now, as II to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to q place
where a large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. he was quite
exposed, and a splteful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
among the ~rocks-even from this dis
lance their sharp explosions were audi
ble-others broke the surface Of the
stream into little geysers, as II a school
Of fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on In breath
less apprehension Branch appropriated
several suits that promised to At him;
then he climbed up the bank. remount-
ed his horse, and ambled slowly out Of
range.
Now this was precisely the sort Of
harebrained exploit which delights a
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
Joined his comrades, therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Carambal He would risk his life
for o clean shirt. There's q fell
low for you'll He enjoys the hum Of
these Spanish bees! Bravo !
Tell us what the bullets said to you,"
they cried, crowding around him in an
admlring circle.
O'Reilly, unable to contain himself,
burst forth in a rage: Lopez ought to
court-martial you"
Infatuated, he rode over to where
Captain Judson was engaged in max
ing a litter upon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the Jail. 'This chap here is all in.'
said Judson. "Tm afraid we aren't 60
ing to get hin through"
: Following Ju6son's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaciated figure lying in the
:. shade Of a nearbysguava bush. The
man was clad In filthy rags, his face
, was dirty and overgrown with 6
months beard; a pair Of restless eyes
stared u%nblinkingly at the brazen sky
> His lips were moving; from them is
sued a steady patter Of words, but 9th
erwise he showed no sign Of life.
, "You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson a hant
, with his task.
!, THAT'S what I thought at first, bu
!, he's sick. I suppose it's that inferna
dungeon fever. We can swing him be
tween our horses, and"
!, Judson looked up to discover tina
! Johnnie was poised rigidly, his moutl
q open, his hands halted in midair. TIL,
sick mans voice had risen, and OReil
ly, with a peculiar expression .
!, amazement upon his face, was strain
' ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Ehi What's the matter" Judsol
? inquired.
f For q moment OReilly remalne'
frozen in his attitude, then without
n word he strobe to the sufferer. he ben
forward, staring into the vacant, ur
turned face. A cry burst from hi
throat, a cry that was like a sob, ant
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filth
figure into his arms.
e "Esteban !" he cried. "Estebanl Thi
e is O'Rellly. O'Rail-ye! Don't you kno,
me? O'Reilly, your friend, your broth
l. err! For Gods sake, tell me wha
II they've done to you! Look at me, E'
It tebanl Look at mel Look at me! OF
Estebanl"
Such eagerness, such thankfulnes
4 such passionate pity were in hi
friends hoarse voice that Judson dre'
] closer. He noticed that the faintes
I flame Of reason flickered for an instar
in the sick mans hollow eyes; the
they began to o V again, and the sam
j rustling whisper recommended. O'Rei
ly held the boy tenderly in his arms
y tears rolled down his cheeks as he In
u plored Esteban to hear and to hee
81 him.
Z TRY to hear me! Tryw There wa
y fierce agony in the cry. where
4 Rosa? Rosa? . Your
safe now; you can tell me.
4 You're safe with O'Reilly. . . .
came back I came back for yo
and Rosa. Where is she?
Is she-dead?"
Other men were assembling nov
81 The column was ready to move, b,
y Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez an
I made known the identity Of the sic
stranger. The colonel came forwar
swiftly and laid a hand upon OTRei
ly's shoulder, saying:
$50! You were right, after all. E
teban Varona didn't die. God mu
have sent us to San Antonio to deliv,
him"
Hes sick, sick O'Reilly sal
huskily. "Those Spaniardsi Loo
what they've done to him." His vol
4 cbongad No oriod Aarrnlv. uyVo