The Red Cloud chief., 1918-07-18
CHAPTER xlV-continued.

-12--
"We've been talking about food
Leslie Branch advised his commandlnp
officer. "Niiss Evans isn't a burning
patriot like the rest Of us, and so OF
course she can't share our ravenous ap-
petite for beef cooked and eaten on the
hoOf."
$50" Lopez's handsome face cloud
ed. "You are hungry, them"
Norine confessed that she was. "Tm
starvingl" said she. II haven't had q
decent meal for week."
"God be praised I know where there
is a goat. not two leagues away! I" said
the colonel.
"But I don't want q goat" Norlne
complained. II want-well, pickles,
and jam, and sardines, and-candy,
and-tooth-powder Real boarding
house luxuries. I'd just like to rob q
general store"
Lopez furrowed his brows and lost
himself In thought. Later, while the
others were talking, he drew Ramos
aside and for while they kept their
heads together; then they invited Jud-
son to join their council.
When O'Reilly Joined Judson for
supper the latter met him with broad
grin on his face. "Well," said he, "You
can get ready to saddle up when the
moon rises"
what do you meant"
''The colonel took Miss Evans at her
word. We're going to raid San Antonio
de los Banos-two hundred OF us--to
get her some pickles. and Jam, and
candy, and tooth-powder."
Certain histories Of the Cuban War
for Independence speak Of 1.-THE Bat
tie Of San Antonio de los Banos." It
is quite stirring story to read and 1t
has but one fault, fault, by the way
not uncommon In histories-it Is main
ly untrue.
In the first place, the engagement
was In no sense battle, but merely a
raid. The number of troops engaged
was. perhaps, one-f1fth Of the generous
total ascribed by the historians, and
as a military maneuver 1t served no
purpose whatsoever. Nevertheless,
since the affair had q direct bearing
upon the fortunes Of several people
connected with this story, 1t Is, per
haps, worth relating.
Lopez and his troop approached the
town in the early morning. As they
deployed for the attack the colonel Is
sued private instructions to certain
members of his command.
"O'Reilly. you and Senior Branch will
enter one grocery store after another.
You will purchase that jam. those sar.
dimes, and whatever else you think
Miss Evans would like. Captain Jud-
son, you and Major Ramos will 60 to
the apOthecary shop-I understand
there Is very good one-and look for
tooth-powder and candy and the like. I
shall see that the streets are cleared,
then / shall endeavor to discover some
pickles; but as God Is my Judge, I
doubt II there Is such a thing this side
Of Habana."
Leslie Branch, whose temper had not
improved with the long night ride, in
quired, caustically: "Do you expect US
to buy the groceries3 Well, I'm broke,
and SO Is O'Reilly. If you don't give us
some change, colonel, Wen have to
open charge account in your name."
"Caramba !" muttered Lopez. II In
tended to borrow from you gentlemen.
Well, never mind-we'll commander
what we wish In the name of the re-
public"
Lopez attack proved a complete
surprise, both to the citizens and to the
garrison of the town. The rebel bugle
gave the first warning Of what was
afOOt, and before the Castllian troops
who were lettering OF duty could re.
gain their quarters, before the citizens
could take cover or the shopkeepers
close and bar their heavy wooden shut
ters, two hundred ragged horsemer
were yelling down the streets.
There followed typical Cuban en-
gagement-ten shouts to one shot
There was a mad charge on the heel.
OF the scurrying populace. scattering
pop-pop of rifles, cheers, cries, shrek.
Of defiance and far-fung insults direct
ed at the fortinas.
O'Reilly, with Branch and JACKIE
b close at his heels. whlrled his hors,
into the first bodega he came to. Tn,
store was stocked with general mer
chandise, but Its owner, evidently
Spaniard, did not tarry to set a prict
upon any Of 1t. AS the three horsemei
came Gathering In at the front he wen
flying out at the rear. and, although
O'Reilly called reassurlngly after him
his only answer was the slamming of
back door, followed by swiftly dimir
tshing cries of fright.
There was no time to waste. Johr
nile dismounted and, walking to tn
shelves where some imported came
goods were displayed, he began to 81
lect those delicacles for which he ha
been sent. The devoted Jacket was a
his side. The little Cuban exercised n
restraint; he seized whatever was mos
handy, meanwhile cursing ferociously
as befitted bloodthirsty bandit. Boy