Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-10-04
CHAPTER xlv-cOntlnued.


officer. 'Atiss Evans ism burning
patriot like the rest O. US, and so of
course she can't share our ravenous APP
petite for beef cooked and eaten on the
hoof."
"So?" Lopez's handsome face cloud
ed. 'You are hungry, then?"
Norine confessed that she was. "Pm
starving" said she. 81 haven't had a
decent meal for a week"
God be praised know where there
is a goat. not two leagues awayI' said
the colonel.
'But I don't want a goat" Norine
complained. 81 want-well, pickles,
and jam, and sardines, and-candy,
and-tooth-powder Real boarding
house luxuries. I'd just like to rob a
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 judi
son TO join their council.
When O'Reilly Joined Judson for
supper the latter met him with a broad
grin on his face. SWELL" said he, "You
can get ready to saddle up when the
moon rises"
"1Vhat do you mean?"
"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-pOyyder"
Certain histories Of the Cuban War
for independence speak of 1.-THE Bat
tie Of San ,Art2nio de los Banos." 1t
is quite a stirring story to read and it
has but enc fault, a fault, by the way,
not uncommon In stories-it is main
ly untrue.
In the first place, the engagement
was in no sense a battle, out merely
raid. The number of troops engaged
was, perhaps, one-fifth of the generous
total ascribed by the historians and
as military maneuver it served no
purpose whatsoever. Nevertheless,
since the affair had a direct bearing
upon the fortunes Of several people
connected with this story, it 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 judi
son, you and Major Ramos will go to
the apothecary shop-I understand
there is a very good one-and look for
tooth-powder and candy and the like.
shall see that the streets are cleared,
then shall endeavor to discover some
pickles: but as God is my judge.
doubt If there Is such thing this side
of Habana."
Leslie Branch, whose temper had not
improved with the long night ride, in
CURED, caustically: DO you expect US
to buy the groceries? Well, I'm broke,
and so is O'Reilly., If you don't give us
some change, colonel, We'll have to
open charge account In your name"
"Caramba !" muttered Lopez. II in
tended to borrow from you gentlemen.
Well, never mind-well 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 Castillan troops
who We're lettering off duty could re-
gain their quarters. before the citizens
could take cover or the shcD6eepers
close and bar their heavy wooden shut
ters. two hundred ragged horsemen
were yelling down the streets.
There followed a typical Cuban en-
gagement-ten shouts to one shot.
There was a mad chdrge on the heels
OK the scurrying populace, scattering
pop-pop Of rifles, cheers, cries, shrieks
OF defiance and far-liung insults direct
co at the fortinas.
OReilly, With Branch and Jacket
close at his heels, whirled his horse
into the first bodega he came to. The
Store was stocked with general mer-
eaandise. but its owner. evidently a
~paniard, did not tarry TO set price
Upon any Of it. AS the three horsemen
eans gathering In at the front he went
lying out at the rear, and, although
VReilly called reassuringly after him,
as only answer was the slamming of
sack door, followed by swiftly dimin-
'2hing cries of fright.
There was no tine to waste. John
NE dismounted and. walking TO the
Aheiyes where some imported canned
Soods were displayed he began to Sc
tect those delicacies for which he had
oeen sent. The devoted Jacket was at
as side. The little Cuban exercised no
restraint; he seized whatever was most
sandy, meauThile cursing ferOciousiy,
% De1tted z bloOdtbirsty bandit. Boys