The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-09-05
CHAPTER xvi-ceatlnusd.

~
O'Reilly Joined In the laughter
evoked by this remark. He was quite
as tattered ~ the poorest Of Betan-
courts common soldiers; his shoes
were broken and disreputabie: 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 II was exposed, was burnt to
. mahogany brown. Certainly there
was nothing about his appearance to
bespeak his nationality.
The general continued: II 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
oflcer nodded his comprehension. but
as he did SO puzzled expression
crossed his face.
Eyes. I reported that Miss varona
had gone into the city-I took some
pains to find out. Do you have reason
20 doubt"
mot the least, sir"
"Then-why have you come all this
wayr
~ came to fnd her and to fetch her
TO her brother"
"But--you don't understand. She is
actually inside the lines, In Matan-
sas-a prisoner"
"Exactly. ! intend TO 60 into Matan-
mas and bring her out"
General Betancourt drew back. as
tonished. my dear mani" he ex-
claimed. "Are you madf"
O'Reilly smiled family. "Quite
probably. All lovers are mildly mad.
4 believe"
"Ahi Loversi begin to see. But
how do you mean to 60 about this
this-impossible undertaking3"
'You told me just now that I could
pass for q Cuban. Well. I am going
TO put It to the test. II once get into
the city shall manage somehow to
get out again. and bring her with me-"
"Um-mi" The general appraised
OReilly speculatively. mo doubt you
can get init is not 30 difficult to en-
ter. believe, and especially to one
who speaks the language like a native.
But the return-I fear you will ind
that another matter. Matanxas Is a
place OF pestilence. hunger. despair.
No one goes there from choice any
moro. and no one ever comes out"
80 should imagine" The speak.
er's careless tone added to General Be
tancourt's astonishment. "Bless me I"
he exclaimed. "What an extraordl-
nary young mani IL II possible that
yUu do not comprehend the terrible
conditionsf" A sudden thought struck
him and he inquired quickly: "Tell me.
yod are not by any chance that hero
thAy call Ri Demoniof have heard
that he is indeed demon. NOT Very
we'll You say you wish to visit Ma
tansas, and ! am instructed to help
you. How can do sor
O'Reilly hesitated an instant. "For
one thing. need money. III haven't
\ single peseta."
"You are welcome to the few dol
aars ! possess"
Johnnie expressed his gratitude for
this ready assistance. "One thing
more" said he. "will you give my
hoy, Jacket, q new pair Of trousers
and send him back TO the Orient ut the
drst opportunityr
~Of course. II IL DONE" The gen.
sral laid friendly hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder, saying. gravely: ut
would relieve me intensely to send you
back with him. for have fears for
the success Of your venture. Matanzas
10 . hell; It has swallowed up thou
vands Of our good countrymen; thou
oands have died there. I'm afraid you
do not realize what risks you are TAX
Ing"
O'Reilly 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 It
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 Natanzas before Cobo's raid.
Among Betancourt's troops was a
man who had been living In the hills
at he time Asensio and his family
had abandoned their struggle for ex-
tstence. and to him O'Reilly went. This
fellow. It seemed. had remained with
his family In the mountains some time
after Asensio's departure. It was
from him that O'Rellly heard his first
authentic report Of the atrocities per-
petrated 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.
II live for one thingr he cried
shrilly-'to> meet that monster. and to
butcher him, as he butchers women