Evening star., 1918-01-13
~ss So

ing for US at the bottom Of that we'll"
It was indeed a great piece OF lud4
buy half dozen Mausers from q Spap~
ish soldier. Through Asensio's 60
quaintance he had profated by the d&ap
honesty of an enemy. and although =
purchase. Esteban considered the DAOA
rifice well worth while. Tho fire OF pas
triotism burned fiercely in him, AZ did
his hatred of Pancho Cueto, and the
four truSty young negroes to whom he
had given rifles made, with Asensio and
himself. an armed party large enough
to be reckoned with. These blacks were
excitab1e fellows, and wretched marks
men, but, on the other hand, each and
every one had been raised with q ma
ehete at his hip and knew how to use
1t. After a few preliminary forays
under Esteban's leadership they had alb
sorbed a bit of discipline and were be-
ginning to feel a military ardor.
In the Cuban field forces there were
many negroes. and more Of their fell
low-patriots fought better. or endured
the hardships of guerrilla warfare
more cheerfuliy. than they. Gen. An
tonic Maceo was Of mixed blood. and
yet his leadership was characterized
not only by rare judgment and ability
but also by an exalted abandon Of per-
sonal bravery. His several brothers
rendered Cuba services scarcely less
distinguished, and they were but
few of many dark-skinned heroes. This
struggle for independence WAS no pa
trician's war; the best stock Of the
island fought side by side with field
hands.
At dawn of the morning following hts
talk with Rosa, when the members of
his command assembled. Esteban was
up and ready. He had made his prep
arations to destroy Pancho Cueto's
fields. and since the road over the hills
to La Joya was long he had summoned
them early
BE careful" Rosa implored him. Il
shall die of suspense"
1T is for you to be careful" he
laughed. Keep good watch and con.
ceal yourself at the first alarm. How.
ever; | think we have taught these
would rum to the jungle if he saw us.
He has the heart OF mouse" He
kissed his sister affectionately and then
rode Off at the head of his tattered
band.
Rosa waved him a last farewell as
he disappeared into the woods, then.
TO occupy herself, she helped EyanRe-
ma with what little housework there
was to do, later going with her to tho
garden patch where the vlandas grew.
EFangeltna's early devotion to her
mistress had not diminished with time:
II anything. it had deepened When
emancipation came she would have re-
turned to the service for her beloved
fetusal to accept her. As it was she
ana Asensio had married. and by means
OIL Rosas surreptitiouS help they had
managed TO buy this little piece of
land. Rosa had practiced self-denial
TO make the purchase possible and her
sef-sacrifice had borne fruit; that Act
or childish beneficence had created a
refuge for Esteban and herself and had
ripened the negro woman's affection
into idolatry.
FvanDaHpo'O ;a,,
to herself, where she could daily -
her. touch her, serve her, was tam
pered only by the knowledge of Rosa a
unhappIness. She scolded and tyran.
hized, she mothered and adored the
girl to her hearts content: she watched
over her like hawk; she deemed no
ianor IN her service too exacting. 1t
would nave gone i'll with any one who
oHered harm to Rosa. for EvanRelfna
was strong and capable; she had the
arms ana the hands OF a man, and she
possessed the smoIdering black temper
OF Sebastian, her father
Even In peaceful times few people
came to this clearing in the woods, far
OH from the main travelled roads of the
umuri. and the day, as usual, passed
uneventfully. Evangelina worked, with
one eye upon her Rosa. the othar
watchfully alert for danger. When
evening came she prepared their scanty
meal. upbraiding Rosa, meanwhile for
her attempts to assist her. Then thew
sat Tor an hour or two on the bench
OUTSIDE the door. talking about Juan
oRail-ye and the probable hour of his
:. There were no candles in Asens,e..
mouse now, and had there been. neither
woman would have dared light one. To
hunted creatures darkness is a friend !.
danger stalks under the sun.
When Rosa fretted about her brother
the nesress reassured her. Don't he
frightened. little dove: he has the MAX
inss OF a great soldier. It's a good
thing for the Spaniards that he isn't
general Cuba would be free in no
Hes SO reckless"
On ne knows what he's doing. Be-
sioes, Asensio wouldn't let him be
nurt. L took pains to tell him that ff
ever he permitted Esteban to suffer 40
much as scratch I would disembowel
h1H with his own machete. He knows
me. Now, then, it is growing cool and
!he night air carries fevers Green
INTO your bed and dream about that
handsome .. lover Of yours"
NO, II keep watch with you"
EVangelIna was indignant Co" sha
stormed What will happen to those
red checks if you don't sleep? Do you
think the American will want to marry
an old woman with wrinkles? He may
be here tomorrow-yes, 1 have a certain
feeling about it,
I'll sleep for a WHILE" she compromised.
then I'll come out and take my turn"
This exactly suited the elder woman.
who knew something about the slumbers
OF youth. Nevertheless. dawn was still
a long way OF when, true to her prom
Use. Rosa emerged from the hut with an
apology for having slept SO long. Evan
gelina protested, though her eyes were
heavy and she had been yawning pro-
for hours But for once the
girl was firm. Il can't Sleep" she de-
clared. why force me TO lie staring into
the dark while you suffer- Having fin
ally prevailed in her determination, she
lima had vacated, and. curling her small
feet under her. she settled herself. chin
in hand. to think of O'Reifly. 1t was Q
good time to think. for the jungle was
very still and the night like a velvet cur
tain.
I'VE had better leave the horses here"
Pancho Cueto hesitatingly addressed the
dim blur which he knew to be Col Cobo
The colonel of volunteers was in a vile
temper, what with the long night ride
and an error of Cuetos which had consid-
erably heightened the Journey.
Where is the house," growled the Of
ficer.
Not far. But the path is rocky and
the horses feet"
God, yes"' There was creak of sad
die feathers and a groan as the colonel
iismounted. Now, my good Cueto." he
threatened. another of your mistakes
me by. Damnation! What night! AZ
black as bell"
"It will be daylight before we know
IT," the other said. nervously.
Excellent! Then I can sec to deal
with you if you've fooled me-" A curt
u DC nt,% - Iii