The Ordway new era., 1918-11-22
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
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
now, as II to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dismounted and was de-
scending the river bank to place
where a large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and spiteful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ric0cheted
among the rocks-even from this dis
tance their sharp explosions were audi
ble-others broke the surface Of the
stream Into little geysers, US II a school
of fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on In breath
less apprehension Branch appropriated
several suits that promised to At him;
then he climbed up the bank. remount-
ed his horse, and ambled slowly out of
range.
Now this was precisely the sort OF
harebrained exploit which delights
Cuban audience. When Leslie re-
Joined his comrades. therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Caramba! He would risk his life
for a clean shirt. There's fel-
low for you'll He enjoys the hum Of
these Spanish bees! Bravo !
Tell us what the bullets said to you,"
they cried, crowding around him In an
admiring circle.
O'ReIlly. unable to contain himself,
burst forth in a rage: Lopez ought to
court-martial you"
Infuriated, he rode over to where
Captain Judson was engaged in max
ing a litter upon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the jail. "Thls chap here is all in,"
said Judson. "rm afraid we aren't 60
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance. O'Reilly
beheld an emaciated figure lying In the
shade of a nearbysguava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty and overgrown with a
months beard; pair of restless eyes
stirred unblinkingly at the brazen sky.
His lips were moving; from them is
sued steady patter of words, but 9TH
erwise he showed no sign of life.
"You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judson hand
with his task.
That's what thought at first, but
he's sick. I suppose it's that internal
Dungeon fever. We can swing him be-
tween our horses, and"
Judson looked up to discover that
Johnnie was poised rigidly. his mouth
open. his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen. and O'Reil-
ly, with a peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh? What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For a moment O'Reilly remained
frozen In his attitude, then without
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward, staring into the vacant, up
turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, a cry that was like sob. and.
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"EstebanI" he cried. "Esteban! This
is O'Reilly. o'Rail-ye! Don't you know
me? O'Reilly. your friend, your broth
er! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you! Look at me. Es-
tebnn! Look at me! Look Mt me oh,
Estebanl"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness.
such passionate pity were In. his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintest
flame Of reason fiickered for an instant
In the sick mans hollow eyes: then
they began to rove again, and the same
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil-
ly held the boy tenderiy in his arms;
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
plored Esteban to hear and to heed
him.
'sTry to hear mel Try" There was
fierce agony in the cry. "Where Is
Rosaf Rosa7 You're
safe now; you can tell me. :.
You're safe with O'Reilly. =. I
came back I came back for you
and Rosa. Where is shef
Is she-dead"
Other men were assembling now.
The column was ready to move. but
Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez and
made known the identity Of the sick
stranger. The colonel came forward
swiftly and laid q hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder. saying:
"Soi You were right. after'all. Es.
teban varona didn't die. God must
have sent us to San Antonio to deliver
him."
Hes sick. sick!" O'Reilly said.
huskily. Those Spaniards! Look