Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-08-21

his only answer was the slamming of a back door, followed by swiftly dimin- ishing cries of fright.
 There was no time to waste. John nie dismounted and, walking to the shelves where some imported canned goods were displayed, he began to se- lect those delicacies for which he had been sent. The devoted Jacket was at his side. The little Cuban exercised no restraint he seized whatever was most handy, meanwhile cursing ferociously, as befitted bloodthirsty bandit. Boys are natural robbers, and at this oppor- tunity for loot Jackets soul famed savagely and he swept the shelves bare as he went.
 Hey, Leslie Get something to carry this stuff in," O'Reilly directed over his shoulder.
 Spurred by O'Reilly's tone and by a lively rattle of rifleshots outside, Les lie disappeared into the living-quarters at the back of the store. A moment later he emerged with huge armful of bedclothes, evidently snatched at random. Trailing behind him, like a bridal veil, was mosquito-net, which in his haste he had torn from its fas- tenings.
 "I guess this Is poor!" he exuted. Bedding Pillows! Mosquito-net I'll sleep comfortable after this"
 Dumping his burden of sheets, blank ets and brilliantly colored cotton quilts upon the floor, Branch selected two of the stoutest and began to knot the cor ners together.
 He had scarcely finished when Jud- son refined in at the door and called to O'Reilly: We've cleaned out the drug store. Better get a move on you, for we may have to run any minute. I've just heard about some Cuban prisoners In the calaboose. Gimme hand and we'll let 'em out"
 Sharing in the general consterna- tion at the attack, the jail guards had disappeared. leaving Lopez men free to break into the prison. When O'Reil- ly joined them the work was well un- der way. SeizIng whatever implements they could find, Judson and O'Reilly went from cell to cell, battering pry- ing, smashing, leaving their comrades to rescue the inmates. While the Americans smashed lock after lock, their comrades dragged the astonished inmates from their kennels, hustled them into the street, and took them up behind their saddles.
 The raid was over, retreat was sounding, when Judson and O'Reilly ran out of the prison, remounted, and Joined their comrades, who were streaming back toward the plaza.
 Colonel Lopez galloped up to inquire, anxiously, Did you find those eatables, chi"
 "Yes, sir, and lot more."
 Good! But I failed. Pickles? Caramba! Nobody here ever heard of onel"
 Did we lose any mem" Judson asked.
 "Not one. But Ramos was badly cut"
 "So? Then he got to close quarters with some Spaniard?"
 "Oh mol" The colonel grinned. "He was in too great a hurry and broke open a showcase with his fist"
 The retreating Cubans still main- tained their uproar, discharging their rifles into the air, shrieking defiance at their invisible foes, and voicing insult ing invitations to combat This ferocity, however, served only to terrify further the civil population and to close the shutters of San Antonio the tighter. Meanwhile, the loyal troops remained safely In their blockhouses, pouring a steady fire into the town. And despite this admirable display of courage the visitors showed deep respect fer their enemies craftsmanship, taking advan- tage of whatever shelter there was.
 The raiders had approached San An tonic de los Banos across the fields at the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their retreat by way of the camino real which followed the river bank. This road for short distance was exposed to the fire from one port; then it was sheltered by bit of rising ground.
 O'Reilly, among the last to cross the zone of fire. was just congratulating himself upon the fortunate outcome of the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo- peg ride to the crest of knoll, rise in his stirrups and, lifting his cupped hands to his lips, direct loud shout back toward the town. Lopez was fol- lowed by several of his men, who like wise began to yell and to wave their arms excitedly.
 Johnnie turned to discover that Les us Branch had Jagged far behind. and