The Pulaskian. (Pulaski Heights [Little Rock], Ark.) 1915-1929, 1918-07-19
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

leslie Branch advised his commanding
of9cer Miss Evans isn't burning
marriott like the rest of US, and so of
course she can't share our ravenous ap-
oetite for beef cooked and eaten on the
h0of."
1907" Lopez's handsome face cloud
ed, "You are hungry, then?"
Norine confessed that she was. "I'm
xtarying!" said she. 81 haven't had a
decent meal for week"
"God be praised know where there
Is goat. not two leagues away" said
The colonel.
'But don't want a goat" Norine
complained. 81 want-well, pickles,
and lam, and sardines and-candy,
and-tooth-powderl Real boarding
house luxuries. I'd just like to rob
general store.''
Lopez furrowed his brows and lost
himself in thought. Later, while the
others were talking, he drew Ramos
aside and for a while they kept their
heads together; then they invited judi
son to join their council.
When O'Reilly Joined Judson for
supper the latter met him with broad
grin on his face. "Well," said he, "You
can get ready to saddle up when the
moon rises"
what do you mean?"
'sThe colonel took Miss Evans at her
word. We're going to raid San Antonio
de los Banos-two hundred Of us-to
get her some pickles, and jam, and
candy, and tooth-powder.
Certain histories of the Cuban War
for independence speak Of "The Bat
lie of San Antonio de los Banos." It
Ia quite a stirring story to read and 1t
has but one fault, fault, by the way,
not uncommon In histories-it is main
ly untrue.
In the first place, the engagement
was in no sense a battle, but merely
raid. The. number Of troops engaged
was, perhaps one-fifth of the generous
total ascribed by the historians, and
as a military maneuver it served nc
purpose whatsoever. Nevertheless
since the affair had a direct bearing
upon the fortunes Of several peope
connected with this story, it is, pr
haps, worth relating.
Lopez and his troop approached the
town in the early morning. AS they
deployed for the attack the coloael is
sued private instructions to certain
members Of his command.
"O'Reilly, you and Senior Brunch will
enter one grocery store after another.
You will purchase that jam, hose sar-
dimes, and whatever else you think
Miss Evans would like. Captain Jud-
son, you and Major Ramos will go to
the apotheeary shop-I understand
there is a very good one-aId look for
tooth-powder and candy and the like.
shall see that the streets are cleared,
then shall endeavor to discover some
pickles; but as God Is ny judge, l
doubt If there is such a thing this side
Of Habana."
Leslie Branch, whose temper had not
improved with the long night ride, IN
quired, caustically: do you expect US
to buy the groceries? Wei, I'm broke,
and so is O'Reilly. If you cont give us
some change, colonel, we'll have TO
open charge account in your name.
"Oaramba !" muttered Lopez. Il In
tended to borrow from vol gentlemen.
Well never mind-we'll commander
what we wish in the name OF the re-
public"
Lopez attack proved a complete
surprise, both to the citizeis and to the
garrison Of the town. The rebel Dugle
gave the first warning Il what was
afoot and before the Castilian troops
who were lettering off dlty could re-
gain their quarters, befoIe the cltizehs
could take cover or the shopkeepers
close and bar their heavy wooden smut
tiers, two hundred ragged horsemen
were yelling down the streets.
There followed typial Cuban en-
gagement-ten shouts one snot'
There was a mad charge on the heeis
Of the scurrying populac,, scattering
pop-pop of rifles, cheers, cries, snrleAs
of defiance and far-funs insults olrect-
ed at the fortinas.
O'Reilly, with Brancl and jacket
close at his heels, whi'led ms morse
into the first bodega hecame 10. Inc
store was stocked witt general mer-
ehandise, but it's ownei evidently
Spaniard, did not tarry o set price
upon any Of 1t. AS the tree horsehen
came Gathering in at the Tont ne Went
flying out at the rear, md, although /
OyReilly called reassurinily after hlih' |
his only answer was the 'lamming VI
back door, followed by iwiftly CHILLI
ishing cries of fright. -
There was no time to waste. JONI
ME dismounted and, waking TO tns
shelves where some imported canneu
goods were displayed he 'egan 10 Sc
lect those delicacies for which ne haa
been sent. The devoted aeket was as a. a.
his side. The little Cubanexerelse ,s,d no
restraint; he seized whatever was = mos most
handu n,aonwhile cursing 'erociousiy'