Mexico Missouri message., 1918-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.

Y
1t was part of the strategy practiced |
by the Cuban leaders to divide their |
forces into separate columns for the |
purpose Of raiding the smaller Spanish |
garrlsons and harassing the troops sent |
to their relief, reassembling these |
bands only when and where some tell |
ing blow was to be struck.
When O'Reilly and Branch enlisted
In the Army Of the Orient they were
assigned to the command Of Col. Mig
uel Lopez, and 1t was under his leader
ship that they made their first ac-
quaintance with the peculiar methods
Of Cuban warfare.
There had been, at first, some doubt
of Branch's fitness to take the field at
oll--he had suffered q severe hemor-
rhage shortly after his arrival at Cubi-
tas-and It was only after a hysterlcal
demonstration on his part that he had
been accepted as a soldier. He simply
would not be left behind. At first the
Cubans regarded him with mingled
contempt and pity, for certainly no
less promising volunteer had ever
taken service with them. But upon
the occasion of the very first fight all
ill-will disappeared as II by magic, for,
although Branch deliberately disobeyed
orders, he nevertheless displayed such
amazing audacity In the face of the
enemy, such a theatrical contempt for
bullets, as to stupefy every one. More
over, he lived up to his reputation; he
continued to be insanely daring, vary
ing his exploits to correspond with his
moods, with the result that he attained
popularity which was unique, nay,
sensational.
O'Rellly alone understood the reason
for the fellows morbid irritability, his
suicidal recklessness; but when he pri-
vately demonstrated he was gruff1y told
! to mind his own business. Branch fiat
ly refused to modify his conduct; he
seemed really bent upon cheating the
disease that made his life misery.
But, as usual, fate was perverse (;
she refused to humor the sick mans
hope. When, after blindly inviting
death, Leslie had emerged from sew
eral engagements unscathed, his sur
prise-and perhaps a natural relief at
finding himself whole-became tinged
with certain apprehension lest he
survive those deliberately courted dan
gers only to succumb to the Ills and
privations of camp life. The fellows
tongue grew ever sharper; his society
became intolerable, his gloom oppres-
sive and irresistibly contagious. When,
after several weeks Of campaigning,
the column went into camp for short
rest, OReilly decided that he would
try to throw off the burden of Leslies
overwhelming detection, and, If pos
slble, shift portion of it upon the
shoulders of Captain Judson.
On the day after their arrival o'Reil-
ly and the big artlIIeryman took advan-
tage of pleasant stream to bathe and
wash their clothes; then, while they
lay in their hammocks, enjoying the
luxury Of a tattered oil-cloth shelter
and waiting for the sun to dry their
garments. O'Reilly spoke what was In
his mind.
I'm getting about fed up on Leslie
he declared. "He's the worlds cham
pion crepe-hanger, and he's painted the
whole world such a deep, despOndent
blue that I'm completely dismal. You've
got to take him off my hands,"
O'ReiIly's youthful assistant, who al
the moment was painstakingly manu-
featuring huge, black cigar for him
self out of some purloined tobacco
pricked up his ears at the mention o.
Branch's name and now edged closer
exclaiming:
"Caramba! There's a hero for you
Meester Branch is the bravest man
ever seen. Our people call him e
Demonio'I'
O'Reilly jerked his head toward tn,
i Cuban. "You see? He's made the hi
J of his life, and yet he resents 1t. NJ,
) nerves are frayed out. I've argued my
/ self hoarse, but he misconstrues every
thing say. wish you'd convince hin
! that he has a chance to get well;
: might alter his disposition. II some
: thing doesn't alter it I'll be court-mar
: tailed for shooting man In his sleep
{ and I'll hit him right in the middle, n
l matter how slim he is" O'Reilly com
E pressed his lips firmly.
The assistant, who had finished roll
e ing his cigar. now lighted 1t and rt
t peated: 'Yes, sir, Meester Branch 1
, the brayeSt man ever seen. You rS
e member that first battle. eh1 Thos
S Spaniords seen him comm and threI
: down their guns and beat 1t. laug
e to skin myself that day."
;, Jacket" was. at once the younges
d and the most profane member of ColC
e mel Lopez's entire command, The mos
shocking oaths fell from his bearC
d less lips whenever he opened them I
y speak English, and oReilly's efforts I
? break the boy Of the habit proved quit
n unavailing.
!. This Camagueyan boy was a cha
:. acter. He was perhaps sixteen, an
/ small for his age-a mere child,
n fact. Nevertheless, he was a seasone