The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-08-09
CHAPTER xVl-continued.

were broken and disreputable; 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 10
mahogany brown Certainly there
was nothing about his appearance to
bespeak his nationality.
The general continued 81 am direct
ed in this letter TO help you in some
enterprise. Command me, sir"
As briefly rs possible Johnnie made
known the object of his jcurney. The
officer nodded his comprehension, but
ss he did 50 puzzled expression
crossed his face.
ayes, | reported that Miss Varona
had gone into the city, took some
puins to find out. Do you have reason
20 doubt"
"Not the least, sir"
"Then--why have you come all this
wayT
81 came to find her and to fetch her
10 ncf DrOtnef.
"But-you don't understand. She Is
actually inside the lines, in Matan-
Kas---a prisoner"
Exactly. l intend to go into Matan-
xas and bring her out"
General Betancourt drew back, as-
tonished. "My dear mani" he ex.
claimed. "Arc you mad?"
O'Reilly smiled family. quite
probably. All lovers are mildly mad,
i believe"
"Ah Lovers! l begin to see. But
how do you mean to go about this
impossible undertaking."
"You told me just now that 1 could
pass for a Cuban. Well. l am going
~ put ii to the test. II once get into
the city i shall manage somehow to
get out again. and bring her with me-"
'Um-ga !" The general appraised
0Pr.lly 1yeculatiyely. mo doubt you
-cIr "a: init is not so iifiicult to en-
Tcr. believe, and especially to one
Who speaks the language like native.
,But tie return--I fear you will find
'thnt cnother matter. Matanzas Is
placc of pcstilencc, hunger. despair.
No one goes there from choice any
a,po.c I'D 40 one ever comes out"
$50 I should imagine" The speak
eI's careless tone added 10 General Be
, tnncourt'o establishment "Bless met"
he exclaimed. "What an extraordl-
Hnary young man! Is II possible that
SYou do not comprehend the terrible
'Icondiuons2" A sudden thought struck
flim aad he inquired quickly: Tell me-
so" are not by any chance that hero
blhey cali nj Demonio? l have heard
'shai he Is indeed demon. No? Very
?wulll You say you wish to visit Ma
@tamzas, and ! am Instructed to help
syou. How can do so?"
| OReilly hesitatet - instant "For
'onc thl1g. need ~y.1ey. IL haven't
~ slngle pcseta."
"Y,u are wS"yme to the few dol
,sra possess
Jonnale expressed his gratitude for
ihis ready assistance. zone thing
more" said he. "Will you give my
boy, jacket. new pair of trousers
anu sead him back to the Orient at the
first opportunlty?"
'Cf course. II is done" The gen.
vrsl laid friendly hnnd upon O'Heil-
ly's shoulder. saying. gruvely: ut
would relieve me intensely to send you
back with him, for l have fears for
the success OF your venture. Matanzas
u II he'll; II has swallowed up thou
Snnds of our good countrymen: thou
sands have died there. I'm afraid you
10 not realize what risks you are tax
ing"
oReilly did not allow this we'll
NEAR. 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 il
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 Matanzas before Cobo's raid.
Among Bs-ancourt's troops was a
man who hrt been living In the hills
at the tisss lsensio and his family
mad abrn'Ycucd their struggle for ex-
istcEce. and to him O'Reilly went. This
fellow, Ii seemed, had remained with
his family In the mountains some time
after AsensiO's departure. 1t was
from him that O'Reilly 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.
"s live for one thng." he cried
shrilly--"to meet that monster. and &c
butcher him. as he butchers women
and children"
O'Reilly purposely left his most un
pleasant task to the last. When his
arrangements had been completed and
he had acquainted himself as far as
possible with the hazards he was likely
60 encounter. he took Jacket aside and
broke the news to him that on the fol-
lowing morning they must part. As
De had expected, the boy refused to
tsten 20 aln. CReilly reI.aiued firm
IA