The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-08-22
oReriy. among tn. last to cross the

the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo- |
peg ride to the crest Of a knoll, rise In |
his stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct loud shout
back toward the town. Lopez was fol-
lowed by several Of his men. who like
wise began to yell and to wave their
arms excitedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Les
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
now, as II to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dlsmounted and was de-
scendlng the river bnnk to place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed. and spitcful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spnniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricochetcd
among the rocks-even from this dis
tance their sharp explosions were audi
ble-others broke the surface Of the
stream into little geysers, as IL a 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 sf
harebrained exploit which delights a
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 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'Reilly. 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 max
ing q litter upon which to carry the
sick pnssner they had rescued from
the Jail. '-Ynis chap here 10 all in."
said Judson. "I'm afraid we aren't 60
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance. O'Reilly
beheld an emaciated figure lying in the
shade Of q nearbysg sguava bush. The
man was clad In filthy rags. his face
was dirty and overgrown with q
months beard; a pair Of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
His lips were moving; from them Is
sued steady patter Of words, but 9TH
erwise he showed no sign Of life.
"You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson q hand
with his task.
"Thats what thought at FIRST. but
he's sick. suppose it's that Internal
dungeon fever. We can swing him be.
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 O'Reil.
ly, with q peculiar expression OF
amazement upon his face. was strain
Ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Ehi What's the matterr Judsor
inquired.
. For a moment O'Reilly remained
frozen In his attitude, then without a
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward, staring into the vacant. up
, turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, a cry that was like sob, and
kneeling, he gathered the frall. filth,
figure into his arms.
, "Estebanr r. he cried. "Estebani Thii
} is O'Reilly. ORail-ye Don't you know
mel O'Reilly, your friend, your broth
erl For Gods sake. tell me wha
: they've done to youl Look at me, Els
tebanl Look at mel Look at me oh
Estebani"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness
such passionate pity were In hi
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintes
flame Of reason fllckered for an instan
In the sick mans hollow eyes; theI
they began to rove again, and the sam'
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil
ly held the boy tenderly In his arms
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
plored Esteban to hear and to heet
! him.
"Try to hear mel Tryw There wa
fierce agony In the cry. "Where 1
RosaS Rosaf Your
safe now; you can tell me.
You're safe with O'Reilly.
came back came back for yo'
and Rosa. -. Where 10 shef
ID she-deadr
4 Other men were assembling now
The column was ready to move, bu
Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez AM
made known the identity Of the sicl
stranger. The colonel came forwar'
swiftly and laid a hand upon O'Reil
ly's shoulder, saying:
"Soi You were right, after all. Ea
teban varona didn't die. God mus
have sent W to San Antonio to delive
him."
"He's sick. sick r. O'Reilly said
huskily. "Those Spaniafds Loo
what they've done to him." His voic
changed. He cried, hercely: "Wel