The Mena weekly star., 1919-02-13

Antonio swung leg over his saddle, saying: Come along, amigos we have fifty leagues ahead of us. The war will be over while we stand here gos- siping."
 O'Reilly's adventures on his swift ride through Las Villas have no part in this story. It Is only necessary to say that they were numerous and va rfed, that O'Reilly experienced excite ment a-plenty, and that upon more than one occasion he was forced to think and to act quickly in order to avoid clash with some rowing guerrilla band.
 Food became a problem immediate ly after the travellers had crossed the trocha. Such apprehensive families as still lurked .in the woods were liberal enough-Antonio. by the way, knew all of them-but they had little to give, and, In consequence, O'Reilly's party learned the taste of wild fruits, Der ries and palmetto hearts. Once they managed to kin a small pig, the sole survivor of some obscure country trag- edy, but tho rest of the time their meat, when there was any, consisted of iguanas-those big, repulsive liz ards-and jutias, the Cuban field rats
 Fortunately there was no shortage of food for the horses, and so, despite the necessity of numerous detours, the party made good time. They crossed into Matanzas, pushed on over rolling hills, through sweeping savannas, past empty clearings and deserted villages to their journeys end. 4 fortunate encounter with n rebel partida from General Betancourt's army enabled them to reach headquarters without loss of time, and one afternoon, worn haggard and hungry, they dismounted in front of that gallant officers hut
 General Betancourt read the letter which O'Reilly handed him, then looked up with smile.
 "Sol You are one of Gomez Ameri. cans, eh? We'll, I would never have known 1t, to look at you; the sun and the wind have made you into very good Cuban. And your clothes One might almost mistake you for a Cuban cabinet officer"
 O'Reilly joined in the laughter evoked by this remark. He was quite us tattered as the poorest of Betan. courts common soldiers; his shoes were broken and disreputable; his cot. ton trousers, snagged by barbed wire and brambles, and soiled by days in the saddle and nights in the grass were in desperate need of attention His beard had grown, too, and his skin, where 1t was exposed. was burnt toI a mahogany brown. Certainly there was nothing about his appearance to bespeak his nationality.
 The general continued: q am direct ed in this letter to help you in sorle enterprise. Command me, sir"
 As briefly as possible Johnnie made known the object of his journey. The officer nodded his comprehension, but as he did so puzzled expression crossed his face.
 "Yes, I reported that Miss Yarens had gone into the city-T took some pains to find out. Do you have reason to doubt"
 Not the least, sir"
 ''Then-why have you come all this wayT
 q came to find her and to fetch her to her brother"
 "But-you don't understand. She is actually inside the lines, in Matan- zas--a prisoner"
 Exactly. intend to go into Matan. gas and bring her out"
 General Betancourt drew back, as. tonished. My dear mani" he ex- claimed. Are you madf"
 OrReilly smiled faintly. 'Quite probably. All lovers are mildly mad I believe"
 "Ahl Loversl I begin to see. But how do you mean to go about this this-impossible undertaking7"
 You told me just now that I could pass for Cuban. Well, am going to put 1t to the test. If once get into the city shall manage somehow to get out again, and bring her with me"
 "Um-ml" The general appraised O'Reilly speculatively. "No doubt you can get init is not so difficult to en. ter, I believe, and especially to one who speaks the language like a native But the return-I fear you will find that another matter. Matanzas is place of pestilence, hunger, despair. No one goes there from choice any more, and no one ever comes out"
 "So I should imagine" The speak. er's careless tone added to General Be tancourts astonishment. Bless me p he exclaimed. "What an extraordi. nary young manl Is it possible that you do not comprehend the terrible conditions7" A sudden thought struck him and he inquired quickly: ''Tell me, you are not by any chance that hero they call Fl Demonio? 1 have heard that he is indeed demon. No? Very we'll! You say you wish to visit Ma. tanzas, and I am instructed to help you. How can I do sor'
 O'Reilly hesitated an instant. "For one thing, need money. I-I haven't a single peseta."
 You are welcome to the few dol lars possess"
 Johnnie expressed his gratitude for this ready assistance. "One thing more," said he. "Will you give my boy, Jacket, new pair of trousers I x.s l. n. A. l. D..a-. Al.