The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-01-09

"rm afraid Miss Evans isn't equa
to the trip"
'Nonsensel Tn equal to anything,
Norine declared. And indeed she looked
capable enough as she stood there ii
her short walking suit and stout boots
Branch alone declined the Invitation
vOwsng that he was too weak to bulge
If there was the faintest prospect O.
riding to the interior he infinitely pre-
ferred to await the opportunity, h,
said, even at the risk of an attack b,
Spanish soldiers in the meantime.
It took O'Reilly but a short time tt
collect the few articles necessary fol
the trip; indeed. his bundle was Sc
small that Norine was dismayed.
Cant ! take any clothes?" she in
quired in a panic. II can't live with
out a change"
ut is something youm have t.
learn" he told her IAN insurrectt
with two shirts is wealthy. Some o.
them haven't any"
isn't it likely to rain on us?"
Its almost sure to-"
Miss Evans pondered this prospect
then she laughed. ut must feel fun
n.y." she said.
There We're three other members OF
the travelling party, men who knew
something OF the country round about
they were good fighters, doubtless, bui
in spite of their shiny new weapons
they resembled soldiers even less thar
did their major. All were dressed as
they had been when they left New
York; one even wore a derby hat ani
pointed patent-leather shoes. Never
theless Norine Evans thought the little
eavalcade presented quite a marital
appearance as 1t filed away into the
jungle.
The first few miles were trying. fol
the coast was swampy and thickly
grown up to underbrush; but In time
the jungle gave place to higher timber
and to open savannas deep In guinea
grass. Soon after noon the travellers
came to farm, the owner of which
was known to one of the guides, and
here a stop was made In order to sc.
cure horses and food.
Johnnie, who was badly tagged from
the previous nights work, found
shady spot and stretched himself out
for nap.
The shade was grateful. O'Rellly
enjoyed his sleep.
The party had penetrated to the foot
hills of the Sierra de Cubitas, and as
they assembled, the scenery changed.
Rarely is the Cuban landscape any.
thing but pleasing. 1t is a smiling
island. 1t has been said, too. that ev-
erything in it is friendly to man: the
people are amiable, warm-hearted the
very animals and insects are harmless.
But here in the Cubitas range all was
different. The land was stern and for
bidding: canyons deep and damp
raised dripping walls to the sky; bride
paths skirted lodges that were bold
and fearsone, or lost themselves in
gloomy jungles as noisome as Spanish
dungeons. Hidden away In these fast.
nesses, the rebel government had es-
tablished its capital. Here, safe from
surprise, the soldiers of Gomez and
Maceo and Garcia rested between at
'acks, nursing their wounded and re-
cruiting their strength for further sal
lies.
1t was strange seat of govern
ment-no nation ever had a stranger
for the state buildings We're huts Of
bark and leaves, the army was uni
formed In rags. Cook fires smoldered
in the open glades; cavalry horses
grdzed in the grassy streets. and wood
smoke drifted over them.
The second evening brought o'Reilly
and Miss Evans safely through, and at
news of the expeditions success
pack train was made ready to go to
Its assistance. Norine's letter from the
New York iunta was read. and the
young woman was warmly welcomed.
One of the better huts was vacated for
her use, and the officers of the pro.
visional government called TO pay their
respects.
There were other Americans In Gu
bitas, as O'Reilly soon discovered. Dur
ing his first inspection of the village
he heard himself hailed In his own Ian
guage, and a young man In dirty
white trousers and Jacket strobe
toward him.
Welcome to our cityl" the stranger
cried. "I'm Judson, captain of artil.
lery, Department. del Oriente; and
you're the fellow who came with the
Quinine lady, aren't your"
o'Reilly acknowledged his identity,
and Judson grinned. "Have you met
the old man." ne inquired-"General
GomezT
mo; I'd like to meet him."
"Come along. then; I'll introduce
you"
Gen. Maxine Gomez, father Of pa
triots, bulwark Of the Cuban cause,
was seated In hammock, reading
some letters; O'Reilly recognized him
instantly from the many pictures he
had seen. He looked up at Judson's
salute and then turned pair of bril-
liant eyes, as hard as glass, upon
O'Reilly. His was an irascible, brood
Ing face; 1t had in 1t something Of the
sternness, the exalted detachment, OF
the eagle, and O'Reilly gained a hint OF
the personality behind IL. Maxine
Gomez was counted one of the worlds
ablest guerrilla leaders; and indeed
1t had required the quenchless enthu
s!asm of real military genius to fuse