Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-08-21

where a large washing had been spread upon the stones to dry. He was quite exposed, and spiteful crackle from the nearest blockhouse showed that the Spaniards were determined to bring him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted among the rOcks-eyen from this dis tance their sharp explosions were audi ble-others broke the surface of the stream into little geysers, as if school of fish were leaping. When Johnnie looked on in breath less apprehension Branch appropriated several suits that promised to fit 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 Cuban audience. When Leslie re- joined his comrades, therefore, he was greeted with shouts and cheers.
 "Caramba He would risk his life for clean shirt. There's a fel- low for you! He enjoys the hum of these Spanish bees! Bravo Tell us what the bullets said to you," they cried, crowding around him in an admiring circle.
 O'Reily, unable to contain himself, burst forth in rage: "Lopez ought to court-martial you"
 Infuriated, he rode over to where Captain Judson was engaged in mak- ing litter upon which to carry the sick prisoner they had rescued from the jail "This chap here is all in," said Judson. 'T'm afraid we aren't go- ing to get him through"
 Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly beheld an emaciated figure lying in the shade of nearby guava bush. The man was clad in filthy rags, his face was dirty and Overgrown with months beard pair of restless eyes stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky. His lips were moving; from them is- sued a steady batter of words, but oth- erwise he showed no sign of life.
 "You said he was starving" Johnnie dismounted and lent Judson a hand with his task.
 "Thats what I thought at first, but he's sick. l suppose it's that internal uuDSeOI lcftT. we tdn SWlJtS llllu Dt- tween our horses, and"
 Judson looked up to discover that Johnnie was poised rigidly, his mouth open, his hands halted in midair. The sick mans voice had risen, and OReil- ly, with q peculiar expression of amazement upon his face, was strain ing his ears to hear what he said.
 At~ V,,1 inquired.
 For a moment O'Reilly remained frozen In his attitude, then without word he strode to the sufferer. He bent forward. staring into the vacant, up- turned face. A cry burst from his throat, cry that was like a sob, and, kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy figure into his arms.
 "Esteban he cried. "Esteban! This is O'Reilly. O'Rail-ye! Don't you know me? O'Reilly, your friend, your broth CT! For Gods sake, tell me what they've done to you! Look at me, Es- teban! Look at me! Look at me! Oh, Esteban!"
 Such eagerness, such thankfulness, such passionate pity were in his friends hoarse voice that Judson drew closer. He noticed that the faintest flame of reason flickered for an instant in the sick mans hollow eyes; then they began to rove again, and the same rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil- ly held the boy tenderly in his arms; tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm Nett fn hnp6 him.
 "Try to hear me! Try!" There was fierce agony in the cry. Where is Rosa? Rosa? You're safe now; you can tell me. .. You're safe with O'Reilly. | came back came back for you and Rosa. Where is she? ;. Is she-dead?"
 Other men were assembling now. The column was ready to move, but Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez and made known the identity of the sick stranger. The colonel came forward swiftly and laid hand upon O'Reil- ly's shoulder. saying:
 "So You were right, after all. Es- teban Varona didn't die. God must have sent us to San Antonio to deliver him."
 Hes sick, sick !" O'Reilly said. huskily. Those Spaniards! Look what they've done to him." His voice changed He cried, fiercely: "Well, I'm late again. Pm always just little bit too late. He'll die before he can tell me"
 Walt Take hold of yourself. We'll do all that can be done to save him. Now come, we must be going, or all San Antonio will be upon us."