The Ordway new era., 1918-11-08

HoherA hcAcs pcthApS yoo "OoAN AANS
to go on with the couriers."
O'Reilly accepted eagerly; then
thinking of the girl, he said doubt
fully:
I'm afraid Miss Evans Isn't equal
to the trip"
-Nonsensel I'm equal to anything"
Norine declared. And indeed she looked
capable enough as she stood there in
her short walking suit and stout boots.
Branch alone declined the invitation.
vowing that he was too weak to bulge.
II there was the faintest prospect Of
riding to the Interior he infinitely pre-
ferred to await the opportunity. he
said, even at the risk Of an attack by
Spanish soldiers In the meantime.
1t took O'Reilly but a short time to
collect the few articles necessary for
the trip; indeed. his bundle was 80
small that Norine was dismayed.
Cant I take any clothes" she In
quired in a panic. II can't live with
out a change"
at is something you'll have to
learn" he told her. "An insurrecto
with two shirts is wealthy. Some Of
them haven't any"
isn't 1t likely to rain on us"
"It's almost sure to-"
Miss Evans pondered this prospect; /;
then she laughed. ut must feel fun
N.Y." she said.
There were three other members of
the travelling party, men who knew
something of the country round about; ;
they we're good fighters, doubtless, but
in spit. of their shiny new weapons
they esembled soldiers even less than
did their major. All were dressed as
they had been when they left New
York one even wore n derby hat and
pointed patert-leather shoes. Never
theless Norine Evans thought the little
cavalcade presented quite a martial
appearance as 1t fled away into the
Jungle.
The first few miles were trying, for
the coast was swampy and thickly
grown up to underbrush; but in time
the Jungle gave place to higher timber
and to open savannas deep in guinea
grass. Soon after noon the travellers
came to a farm, the owner Of which
was known to one Of the guides, and
here a stop was made in order to Sc
cure horses and food.
Johnnie, who was badly tagged from
the previous nights work, found a
shady spot and stretched himself out
for a nap.
The shade was grateful. O'Rellly
enjoyed his sleep.
The party had penetrated to the foot
hills of the Sierra de Cubitas, and as
they ascended, the scenery changed.
Rarely is the Cuban landscape any
thing bur pleasing. It Is a smiling
island. 1t has been said, too, that ev-
erything In 1t is friendly to man: the
people are amlable, warm-hearted; the
very animals and insects are harmless.
But here in tse Cubltas range all was
different. The land was stern and for
bidding: canyons deep and damp
raised dripping walls to the sky; bride
paths skirted ledges that were bold
and fearsome, or lost themselves in
gloomy jungles as noisome as Spanish
dungeons. Hidden away in these fast
nesses, the rebel government hnd es-
tablished Its capital. Here. safe from
surprise. the soldiers Of Gomez and
Maceo and Garcia rested between at
tacks. nursing their wounded and re-
cruiting their strength for further SAL
lies.
1t was strange seat of govern
ment-no nation ever had a strftnger-
for the state buildings were huts Of
bark and leaves, the army was uni
formed in rags. Cook fires sploldered
In the open glades: cavalry horses
grazed in the grassy streets. and wood
smoke drifted over them.
The second evening brought O'Reilly
and Miss Evans safely through, and at
news of the expeditions success n
pack train was made ready to go to
its assistance. Norine's letter from the
New York junta was read, and the
young woman wns warmly welcomed.
One of the better huts was vacated, for
her use, and the officers Of the pro-
visional government called to pay their
respects.
There were other Americans in Gu
bitas, as o'Reilly soon discovered. Dur
ing his first inspection of the village
he heard himself hailed in his own lam
| guage, and young man In dirty
white trousers and Jacket stIode
toward him.
welcome to our cltyl" the stranger
cried. "I'm Judson. captain of ai'til-
lery, departmento del Oriente; and
you're the fellow who came with the
quinine lady. aren't your"
o'Reilly acknowledged his identity,
and Judson grinned. "Have you met
the old man." he inquired-"General
Gomezf"
"No; I'd like to meet him.
Come along, then; I'll Introduce
you"
Gen. Maxine Gomez, father Of pa
triots, bulwark Of the Cuban cause
was seated In hammock, reading