Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1919-01-02
CHAPTER XIV.

ACANCf' AhtV NltthAAO NOAuthtiN iRi AilC
purpose of raiding the smaller Spanish
garrisons 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 it 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
all-he had suffered severe hemor-
rhage shortly after his arrival at Cubi-
tas-and it was only after hysterical
demonstration on his part that he had
been accepted as 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. Bur upon.
the occasion of the very first fight all
ill-will disappeared as if 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'ReUly alone understood the reason
for the fellows morbid irritability his
suicidal recklessness; but when he pri-
vately demonstrated he Was gruffiy told
TO mind his own business. Branch fat
ly refused to modify his conduct: he
seemed really bent upon cheating the
disease that made his life a 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 a certain apprehension lest he
survive those deliberately courted dam
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 a short
rest, O'Reilly decided that he would
try to throw off the burden of Leslie's
overwhelming detection, and, if pos
sible, shift portion of it upon the
shoulders of Captain Judson.
On the day after their arrival O'Reil-
ly and the big artilleryman took advan-
tage of pleasant stream to battle 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. Hes the worlds cham
pion crepe-hanger, and he's painted the
whole world such a deep, respondent
blue that I'm completely dismal. You've
got to take him off my hands,"
O'Reilly's youthful assistant, who at
the moment was painstalngly manu-
featuring huge, black cigar for him
self ouf of some purloined tobacco,
pricked up his ears at the mention Of
Branchs name and now edged closer,
exclaming:
"Caramba There's a hero for you.
Meester Branch is the bravest man
ever seen. Our people call him Ell
Demonio'r'
O'Reilly jerked his head toward the
Cuban you see? He's made the hit
of his life, and yet he resents 1t. My
nerves are frayed out. I've argued my
self hoarse, but he misconstrues every
thing say. I wish you'd convince him
that he has chance to get well; it
might alter his disposition. If some
thing doesn't altel it I'll be court-mar-
Haied for shooting a man in his sleep
and I'll hit him right in the middle. no
matter how slim he is" OReilly- com
pressed his lips firmly.
The assistant, who had finished roll
ing his cigar, now lighted 1t and re-
peated 'Yes, sir, BIeester Branch is
the brayest man | ever seen. You re-
member that first battle. Ell? Those
Spaniards seen him comm and threw
down their guns and beat 1t. / laugh
to skill myself that day"
Jacket was at once the youngest
and the most profane member of Colo
mel Lopez's entire command. The most
shocking oaths fell from his beard
less lips whenever he opened them to
speak English, and O'Reilly's efforts to
break the boy of the habit proved quite
unavailing.
This Camagueyan boy was a char
acter. He was perhaps sixteen, ant
small for his age--n mere child, ii
fact. Nevertheless. he was a seasoned
II veteran, and his American camp-mate.