Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1919-01-16

as 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 II was exposed, was burnt to
a mahogany brown. Certainly there
was nothing about his appearance TO
bespeak his nationality.
The general continued: 81 am direct
ed in this letter to help you in some
enterprise Command me- sir"
AS briefly as possible Johnnie made
known the object of his journey. The
officer nodded his comprehension, but
rs he did so puzzled expression
crossed his face.
Eyes. l reported that Miss varona
had gone into the city, took some
pains to find out. Do you have reason
to doubt"
Not the least. sir"
"Then-why have you come all this
wayT
II 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-
zas and bring her out"
General Betancourt drew back, as
punished. MY dear mani" he ex-
caRsd. Are you mad?"
VRellly smiled family. "Qulte
probably. All lovers are mildly mad.
believe"
"Ahl Lovers I begin to see. But
how do you mean TO go about this
this-impossible undertakings"
you told me just now that l could
pass for a Cuban. Well, l am going
TO put 1t to the test. II 1 once get into
the city 1 shall manage somehow to
get out again. and bring her with me-"
"Um-ml" The general appraised
O'Reilly speculatively. mo doubt you
can get init Is not so difficult to en-
ter, 1 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"
$50 l should imagine" The speak
er's careless tone added to General Be
tancourt's establishment. "Bless me :"
he exclaimed. "What an extraordl-
nary young mani Is 1t possible that
you do not comprehend the terrible
conditions" A sudden thought struck
him and he inquired quickly: Tell me,
you are not by any chance that hero
they call FL Demonio? l have heard
that he is indeed demon. No? Very
well, You say you wish TO visit Ma
tanzas, and | am instructed to help
you How can | do so?"
O'Reilly hesitated an instant. For
one thing, | need money. II haven't
single peseta."
you are welcome to the few dol.
lars l possess"
Johnnie expressed his gratitude for
this ready assistance. zone thing
more, said he. "will you give my
boy, Jacket, new pair Of trousers
and send him back to the Orient ut the
first opportunity"
"Of course. 1t is DONE" The gen
eral laid a friendly hand upon O'Reil-
ly's shoulder, saying. grayely: at
would relieve me intensely to send Won
back with him. for 1 have fears for
the success Of your venture. Matanzas
Is a hell; It has swallowed up thou-
sands Of our good countrymen; thou
sands have died there. I'm afraid Won
DO not realize what risks you are TAX
Ing"
OHeilly did not allow this we'll
meant warning to influence him. nor
did he listen to the admonltions Of
those other Cubans who tried to argue
with him out Of his purpose, once It
became known. On the contrary, he
proceeded with his preparations and
spent that afternoon In satisfying him.
self that Rosa had indeed left the Pan
de Matanzas before Cobo's raid.
Among Betancourts troops was a
man who had been living In the hills
at the time Asensio and his family
nao abandoned their struggle for ex-
istence, and to him O'Rellly went. This
feilow, 1t seemed, had remained with
his family In the mountains some time
after Asenslo's departure. 1t was
from him that O'Reilly heard his frst
authentic report Of the atrocities per-
petrated by Cobo's volunteers. This
man mad lost his wife. his little son.
ana all the scnnty belongings he DOS
sessed. With shaking hands up-
stretcned to heaven, the fellow cursed /
the author of his misfortunes.
1 live for one thingp he cried
shriily-"to meet that monster and 10 /
outcher. him, as he butchers women
and children"
oheiliy purposely left his most un.
peasant task to the last. When his
ARRANGEMENTS had been completed and /
ne had acquainted himself as far AZ
possible with the hazards he was likely
10 encounter, Ne took Jacket aside and /
IN n