The Red Cloud chief., 1918-07-18
ORemy, among the last to cross the

| the skirmiSh when ne saw Colonel Lo-
peg ride to the crest Of a 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 IL to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had dlsmounted and was de.
scendlng the river bank to place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and q spiteful crackle from the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spanlards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
among the rocks-even from this dis.
tance their sharp explosions were audi
ble--others broke the surface of the
stream into little geysers, as II q school
Of fish were leaping.
When Johnnie looked on In breath.
less apprehension Branch appropriated
several suits that promised to fit 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 clean shirt. There's fel.
low for you! He enjoys the hum Of
these Spanish bees Bravo
Tell us what the bullets said to YOU"
they cried, crowdlng 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 litter upon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the Jail. This chap here Is all in,"
said Judson. "Tm afraid we aren't 60
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaclated figure lying in the
shade Of nearbysguava bush. The
man was clad In filthy rags, his face
was dirty and overgrown with
months beard; pair Of restless. eyes
stared unbllnkingly 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
dlsmounted and lent Judson a 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 rigldly. his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil-
ly, with peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh2 What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For a moment O'Reilly remained
| frozen In his attitude, then without a
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward, staring into the vacant, up
turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, cry that was like sob. and,
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"Estebanw he cried. "Esteban! This
Is O'Reilly. ORail-ye! Don't you know
me? O'Rellly, your friend, your broth
err! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you'll Look at me, Es-
teban! Look at me! Look at me Oh,
| Esteban!"
Such eagerness, such thankfuness,
| such passionate pity were In his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the faintest
flame of reason flickered 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 tenderly in his arms;
tears rolled down his cheeks as he i'm
plored Esteban to hear and to heed
him.
"Try to hear met Try!" There was
fierce agony in the cry. "Where Is
ROsa2 Rosa2 You're
safe now; you can tell me. :.
You're safe with O'Reilly. ]
came back came back for you
and Rosa. Where is she? :.
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 hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder, saying:
$50! 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'Rellly said,
huskily. "Those Spaniards! Look
what they've done to him." His voice
changed. He cried, aercely: "Well,
I'm late again. I'm always just little
bit too late. He'll die before he can
| foil me-