Meade County news., 1918-07-25

zone Of fire, was just cOngratulating
himself upon the fortunate outcome of
the skirmish when he saw Colonel LO-
PEE ride to the crest of knoll, rise in
his stirrups and, lifting his cupped
hands to his lips, direct a 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 If to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to q place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and a spiteful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
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 If 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 az
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 fell
low for you'll 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 a litter upon which to carry the
sick prhaper they had rescued from
the Jail. "THis chap here is all in,"
said Judson. "I'm afraid we aren't go
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaciated figure lying in the
shade Of a nearby0guava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and overgrown with a
months beard; a pair Of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
His lips were moving; from them is
sued a steady patter Of words, but 9th
erwise he showed no sign Of life.
"You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson a hand
with his task.
"That's 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 rigldly, his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil-
", with a peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh? What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For a moment O'Reilly remained
frozen In his attitude, then without q
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 frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
, "Estebanl" he cried. "Esteban! This
, is O'Reilly. O'Rail-ye Don't you know
me? O'Reilly, your friend, your broth
err! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you'll Look at me, Els
teban! Look at mel Look at me Oh
/. Esteban!"
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 flickered for an instan
in the sick mans hollow eyes; theI
they began to rove again, and the SAM
rustling whisper recommended. OReil
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 me- Tryw There wa
fierce agony in the cry. "Where /
Rosa? Rosa? Your
safe now; you can tell me.
You're safe with O'Reilly. E.
came back / came back for 20,
and Rosa. Where is she?
Is she-dead"
Other men were assembling now
The column was ready to move, bu
Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez an
made known the Identity Of the sic
stranger. The colonel came forwar
swiftly and laid hand upon O'Rei
ly's shoulder, saying:
"Sol You were right, after all. rs
teban Varona didn't die. God mus
have sent us to San Antonio to delive
him."
"He's sick, sickT O'Reilly sait
huskily. "Those Spaniardsl Loo
what they've done to him." His voic
changed. He cried, fiercely: "Wel
I'm late again. I'm always just littl
hn