The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-08-15
CHAPTER xiv.
That Sick Man From San Antonio.

sUok StSH wan 0aU SuIONb0s
1t was part Of the strategy practiced
BY the Cuban leaders to divide their
forces into separate columns for the
purpose OF rniding the smaller Spanish
garrisons and hnrassing the troops sent
to their relief, reassembling these
bands only when and where some tell
Ing blow was to be struck. -. i.
When O'Reilly and Branch enlisted
In the Army Of the Orient they were
assigned to the command Of Col. Mig
uel Lopez, and 1t was under his leader
ship that they made their FIRST ac-
quaintance with the peculiar methods
Of Cuban warfare. = ~
There had been, at first, some doubt
of Branch's fitness to take the Held at
all-he had suffered q severe hemor.
rhage shortly after his arrival at Cubi-
tas-and II was only after hysterical
demonstration on his part that he had
been accepted as soldier. He simply
would not be left behind. At FIRST the
Cubans regarded him with mingled
contempt and pity. for certainly, no
less promising volunteer had ever
taken service with them. But upon
the occasion Of the very first fight all
illwili disappeared as II by magic, for.
although Branch deliberately disobeyed
orders, he nevertheless displayed such
amazing audacity In the face Of the
enemy. such a theatrical contempt for
bullets, as to stupefy every one. More
over, he lived up to his reputation; he
continued to be insanely daring. vary.
Ing his exploits to correspond with his
moods, with the result that he attained
popularity which was unique. may,
sensational. :,
O'Reilly alone understood the reason
for the fellows morbid ieslsatility. his
suicidal recklessness b0 u6m xk pri,
vately demonstrated he 0DOalv told
to mind his own busine0 HYa q DAT.
ly refused to modify N. =sathG; he
seemed really bent upca s...s..s.ing the
disease that made his life misery. ..
But, as usual, fate was perverse ;
she refused to humor the sick mans
hope. When, after blindly inviting
death, Leslie had emerged from sew.
eral engagements unscathed, his sur
prise-and perhaps a natural relief at
finding himself whoie-became tinged
with a certain apprehension lest he
survive those deliberately courted dan
gers only to succumb to the Ills and
privations Of camp life. The fellows
tongue grew ever sharper; his society
became intolerable. his gloom oppres-
sive and irresistibly contagious. When,
after several weeks Of campaigning.
the column went into camp for short
rest, O'Reilly decided that he would
try to throw of the burden Of Leslie'a
overwhelming detection, and, II pos
sible, shift q portion Of 1t upon the
shoulders Of Captain Judson. ss@
On the day after their arrival O'Reil-
ly and the big artilleryman took advan-
tage Of pleasant stream to bathe and
wash their clothes; then, while they
lay In their hammocks, enjoying the
luxury Of a tattered oil-cloth shelter
and waiting for the sun to dry their
garments, O'Reilly spoke what was In
his mind. =
I'm getting about fed up on Leslie, /"
he declared. "He's the worlds cham
pion crepe-hanger. and he's painted the
whole world such a deep, respondent
blue that I'm completely dismal. You've
got to take him of my hands," 80
OReilly's youthful assistant, who at
the moment was painstakingly manu-.
featuring huge. black cigar for him.
self out Of some purloined tobacco
pricked up his ears at the mention OF
Branch's name and now edged closer,
exclaiming: -
vCarambai There's a hero for you
Meester Branch is the bravest man
ever seen. Our people call him 'El
Demonio'w ~ -
O'Reilly jerked his head toward the
Cgjan. you see2 He's made the hit
Of his life, and yet he resents IL. My
nerves are frayed out. I've argued my.
self hoarse. but he misconstrues every.
thing say. wish you'd convince him
that he has chance to get well; II
might alter his disposition. II some.
thing doesn't alter It I'll be court-mar.
tailed for shooting a man In his sleep
and I'll hit him right In the middle, nc
matter how slim he is" O'Reilly com.
pressed his lips firmly.
The assistant, who had finished roll.
Ing his cigar. now lighted 1t and re.
peated: Eyes. sir. Aeester Branch IL
the bravest man ever seen. You re.
member that first battle, eh2 Those
Spaniards seen him comm and threw
down their guns and beat It laugh
to skill myself that day. s7
Jacket" was at once the youngest
and the most profane member Of Colo.
mel Lopez's entire command. The most
shocking oaths fell from his beard.
less lips whenever he opened them to
speak English, and O'Reilly's efforts ia
break the boy Of the habit proved quite
unavailing.
This Camagueyan boy was char.
acter. He was perhaps sixteen. and
en-. .Alv 20 ~ -. T.