Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-08-16

danger here; perhaps you would like
10 go on with the cOurlers."
OReilly accepted eagerly; then
thinking Of the girl, he said doubt.
fully:
I'm afraid Miss Evans isn't equal
to the trip"
Nonsense! I'm equal to anything"
Norinc declared. And indeed she looked
capable enough as she stood there In
her short walking suit and stout boots.
Branch alone declined the invitation,
v0Wing that he was too weak to bulge.
If there was the faintest prospect of
riding to the interior he infinitely pre-
fcrrcd TO await the opportunity, he
said, even at the risk Of an attack by
Spanish soldiers In the meantime.
1t took O'Rcilly but a short time to
collect the few articles necessary for
the trip; indeed, his bundle was so
small that Norine was dismayed.
Cant | take any clothesf" she in.
quired in n panic. II can't live with
out a change"
ut Is something you'll have to
learn" he told her. "An i%nsurrectO
with two shirts is wealthy. Some Of
them haven't any"
isn't 1t likely to rain on us?"
ITS almost sure to-"
Miss Evans pondered this prospect +;
then she laughed. 1T must feel fun
ny" 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 csemblcd soldiers even less than
did their major. All were dressed as
they had been when they left New
York; n even wore u derby hat and
pointed patcnt-leather shoes. Never
theless Norine Evans thought the little
Cavalcadc presented quite a martial
appearance as it filed 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 ann deep In guinea
grass. Soon after noon the travellers
came to a farm, the owner Of which
was known to m Of the guides, and
here a stop was made In order to ae-
horses and food.
Johnnie, who vas badly tagged from
the previous nights work, found a
shady spot and stretched himself out
for n nap.
The shade was grateful. O'Reilly
enjoyed his sleep.
The party had penetrated to the foot
hills of the Sierra de Cubltas, and as
they assembled, the scenery changed.
Rarely Is the Cuban landscape any
thing but pleasing. 1t Is a smiling
island. 1t has been said, too, that ev-
erythlng in It is friendly to man: the
people are nmiable, warm-hearted; the
very animals and insects are harmless.
But here In the Cubltas range all was
different. Tho land was stern and for
bidding: canyons deep and damp
raised dripping walls to the sky bride
paths skirted lodges that were bold
and fcarScme, or lost themselves In
gloomy jungleS rs noisome as Spanish
dungeons, Hidden away in these fast
neSscs, the rebel government had es-
tabllShcd its capital. Here, safe from
surprise, the soldiers of Gomez and
Macco and Garcia rested between at
lacks, nursing their wounded and re-
cruiting their strength for further sal
lies.
II was a strange seat of govern
mcnt-no nation ever had a stranger
for the state buildings were huts OF
bark and leaves, the army was uni
formed In rags. Cook fires smoldered
in the open slades; cavalry horses
grazed in the grassy streets, and wood
smoke driftcd over them.
The second evening brought O'Reilly
and Miss Evans safely through, and at
news of the expeditions success a
pack train was made ready to 20 to
it's assistance. Norine's letter from the
New York junta was read, and the
young woman was 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
hitaS, as ORcilly soon discovered. Dur
ing his first inspection of the village
he heard himself hailed In his w Ian
guage, and n young man In dirty
white trousers and jacket strobe
toward him.
welcome to u city! ~ the stranger
cried. I'm JudSon, captain of artil-
lcry, departments del 0riente; and
you're the fellow who came with the
Puinine lady, aren't you?"
o'Rellly acknowledged his identity,
and JudSon grlnned. "Have you met
the old man." he inquired-"General
Gomez?"
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.