The Monticellonian., 1918-08-09

l entire provinces of MatanZaS, Habana and Pinar del Rio were practically dead. These three were skeletons, picked bare of flesh by WeylerAs beak.
 The JucaroMoron trocha had been greatly strengthened since Gampos' day. It followed the line of the trans insular railway. Dotted at every quar- ter of mile along the grade were lit tie forts connected by telephone and 1 telegraph lines. Between these fOrti- mas were sentry stations of logs or rail- road ties. Eyes were keen, rifles were ready, challenges were sharp, and cOun- tersigns were quickly given on the Ju- caro- Moron trocha.
 In OReilly's party there were three men besides himself-the ever-faithful Jacket. q wrinkled old Camagueyan who knew the bride trails of his prov ince as fox knows the tracks to it's lair, and a silent guajiro from farther west, detailed to accompany the expe- dition because of his wide acquaintance with the devastated districts. Both guides, having crossed the troeha more than once, affected to scorn its ter TOTS, and their easy confidence reas- sured OReilly in spite of Esteban's parting admonition.
 The American had not dreamed of taking Jacket along, but when he came to announce his departure the boy had fatty refused to be left behind.
 Fifty miles of hard riding brought ha asFx tI, f on the second morning after leaving CuhitaS and sought secluded camp ing spot Later in the day Hilario. the old Camagueyan, slipped away to re- connoiter. He returned at twilight but volunteered no report of what he had discovered. After an insstent eross-eXamination O'ReillY Wrung from him the reluctant admission that ev- erything seemed favorable for q cross ing some time that night, and that he had selected q promising point. Be yond that the old man would say noth- ing
 Supper, a simple meal, was quickly disposed of. Then followed a long dispiriting wait, for gibb0us moon rode high in the sky and the guides refused to stir so long as it remained there. It was still night; in the jungle no air was stirring, and dark ness brought forth a torment of mos quitoes. As day died the woods awoke to sounds of bird and insect life :; strange raucous calls pealed forth some familiar, others strange and un- accustomed Sitting there in the dark, bedeviled by pest of insects, mocked at by these mysterious voices, and looking forward 10 q hazardous enter prise. O'Reilly began to curse his vivid imagination and to envy the impas- siveness of his companions. Even Jacket, he noted, endured the strain better; the boy was cheerful, philo- sophieal, quite unimpressed by his surroundings. When the mosquitoes became unbearable he put on his trou- sers, with some reluctance and much ceremony.
 Midnight brought a moist. warm breeze and few formless clouds which served at times to dimly ob- scure the moon. Watching the clouds, O'Reilly hoped that they might prove to be the heralds of a storm. None came When the moon had finally crept down into the treetops old Hi- lario stepped upon his cigarette, then began silently to saddle up. The oth- CTS followed with alacrity. and fell in behind him as he led the way into the forest
 When they had covered a couple of miles Hilario refined in and the others crowded close. Ahead, dimly discern ible against the night sky, there ap-