Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-07-09

Fifty miles of hard riding brought
the party to the trocha they neared it
on the second morning after leaving
Cubitas, and sought a secluded camp
ing spot. Later in the day Hllario, the
old Camagueyan. slipped away to re-
connoiter. He returned at twilight,
but volunteered no report of what he
had discovered. After an insistent
cross-examination O'Reilly wrung from
him the reluctant admission that ev-
erything seemed favorable for cross
ing some time that night, and that he
had selected promising point. Be
yond that the old man would say moth
ing.
Supper, a. simple meal, was quickly
disposed Of. Then followed a long,
dispiriting wait, for a gibbous moon
rode high In the sky and the guides
refused to stir so long as 1t remained
there. 1t was still night; In the
jungle no air was stirring, and dark
ness brought forth torment Of mos
quitoes. As day died the woods awoke
to sounds of bird and insect life;
strange, raucous calls pealed forth.
some familiar, others strange and un-
accustomed. Sitting there in the dark,
bedeviled by pest of insects, Knocked
at by these mysterious voices, and
looking forward to hazardous enter
prise, O'Reilly began to curse his vivid
Imagination and to envy the impas-
siveness of his companions. Even
Jacket, he noted, endured the strain
better; the boy was cheerful, philo-
sophical, quite unimpressed by his
surroundings. When the mosquitoes
became unbearable he put on his trou-
sers, with some reluctance and much
ceremony.
Midnight brought a moist, warm
breeze and a few for1nless clouds
which served at times to dimly OBJ
scure the moon. Watching the clouds,
O'Reilly hoped that they might prove
to be the heralds Of a storm. None
came. When the moon had finally
crept down into the treetops old Hi
lario stepped upon his, cigarette, then
began silently to saddle up. The 9TH
ers followed with alacrity, and fell in
behind him as he led the way into the
forest.
When they had covered a couple of
miles Hilario refined in and the others
crowded close. Ahead, dimly discern
ible against the night sky, there ap-
peared to be II thinning of the woods
After listening for moment or two
Hilario dismounted and slipped away !;
the three riders sat their saddles with
ears strained
Hilario returned with word that all
was well, and each man dismounted to
muff1e the feet Of his horse with rags
and strips OF gunnysack provided for
the purpose. Then, one by one, they
moved forward to the edge of the
clearing. The trocha lay before them.
O'Reilly felt pair of reins thrust
into his hand and found Hilario exam
lining large pair of timers shears
do you wish me to go with your"
be inquired of the guide.
The latter shook his head. Antonio
will go; he will keep watch while 1
clear path. If anything goes wrong,
wait here. Don't ride away until we
have time"
"Never fear I won't desert you,"
the American treasured him.
The two Whitehead figures slipped
away, became indistinct, and then dis
appeared. The night was hot, the mos
quitoes hummed dismally and settled
in clouds upon the waiting pair, mad
dening them with their poison. A half
hour passed, then the two ghostly fig
ures materialized once more
''Dios!" grumbled Hilario. There
are many strings to this Spanish gui-
tar. What row when they discover
that have played a Cuban damon
upon it," The old man seemed less
surly than before.
us the way clear?" O'Reilly in
quired.
GAS far as the railroad, yes. We
heard voices there, and came back.
We will have to cut our way forward
after we cross the track Now, then,
follow me without sound"
Leading his horse by the bit ring,
Hilario moved out into the clearing,
followed once more by his three COM
panions. In spite of all precautions
the animals made tremendous racket,
or so it seemed, and, despite Hilario's