Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-08-21
CHAPTER xlV-continued.
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 We've been talking about food" Leslie Branch advised his commanding officer. Miss 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."
 "So?" Lopez's handsome face cloud ca. You are hungry, then?"
 Norine confessed that she was. "Tm starvingp said she. q haven't had a decent meal for q week."
 God be praised I know where there IS goat. not two leagues awayi" said the colonel
 But l don't want a goat" Norine complained. q want-well, pickles, and jam, and sardines and-candy, and-tooth-powder Real boarding house iuxuries. I'd just like to rob 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 OReilly joined Judson for supper the latter met him with a broad grin on his face. "Well," said he, "You can get ready to saddle up when the moon rises"
 What 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-powder"
 <
 Certain histories of the Cuban War for Independence speak of "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 raid. The number of troops engaged was. perhaps, one-fifth of the generous totsi aseriifed by the historians, and as military maneuver 1t served no purpose whatsoever Nevertheless, since the affair had a 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 Senor 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 go to the apothecary shop-I understand there Is very good one-and look for tooth-powder and candy and the like. shall See that the streets are cleared, fhen I 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- quired, caustically: Do you expect us to buy the groceries? We'll, 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. "I in- tended to borrow from you gentlemen. We'll. 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 Rfoot, and before the Castilian troops who were lettering off 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 horsemen were yelling down the streets.
 There followed typical Cuban en- gagement-ten shouts to one shot. There was mad charge on the heels of the scurrying populace, scattering pop-pop of rifles, cheers, cries, shrieks of defiance and far-fung insults direct ed at the fOrtinas.
 close at his heels, whirled his horse into the first bodega he came to. The store was stocked with general mer- oAandise, but it's owner. evidently a Hpaniard, did not tarry to set . price upon any of 1t. As the three horsemen came clattering In at the front he wont flying out at the rear. and, although O'Roiliy called rsasssrinsiy after hin,