Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-11-18

shutters OF San Antonio the tighter.
Meanwhile. the loyal troops remained
safely in their blockhouses. pouring
steady fire intosthe town. And despite
this admirable display OF courage the
visitors showed a deep respect for THEN
enemies craftsmanship. taking advan
tage of whatever shelter there was.
The raiders had approached San An
tonic de los Banos across the fields al
the rear. but Colonel Lopez led their
retreat by way of the canine real
which followed the river bank. This
road fer a short distance was exposed
to the fire from one port; then it was
sheltered by bit of rising ground.
O'Reilly. among the last to cross the
zone of fire. was just eongratulatine
himself upon the fortunate outcome OF
rhe slyrInish when he saw Colonel Lor
peg ride TO the crest of II knoll, rise in
his stirrups and. lifting his cupped
hands to his lips. direct loud shout
hack toward the town. Lopez was fol.
lowed by several of his men. who like
wise began to yell and TO wave their
arms excitedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Les
lie Branch had Jagged far behind, and
now, as If to cap his fantastic perform
ances, had disInoupted and was de-
scending the river bank to place
where large washing had been spread
upon the stones to dry. He was quite
exposed, and Spiteful craclle frsm the
nearest blockhouse showed that the
Spaniards were determined to bring
him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted
among the rocks-even from this dis
lance their sharp explosions We're audi
ble--others broke the surface of the
stream into little geysers. as if school
of fish were lehing.
When Johnnie looked on in breath
less apprehension Brunch appropriated
several suits that promised to fit him;
then he climbed up the bank, remouHt-
ed his horse, and ambled slowly out of
range.
Now this was precisely the sort of
harebrained exploit which delights Il
Cuban audience. When Leslie re.
joined his comrades, therefore, he was
greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Carambal He would risk his life
for clean shirt. There's n fel-
low for you! He enjoys the hum of
these Spanish bees! Bravo
Tell us what the bullets said to you"
they cried crowding around him in an
admiring circle.
OIseiIly, unable to contain himself
burst forth in a rage: LOPEZ ought to
court-martal you"
Infatuated, he rode over to where
Captain Judson was engaged In max
ing a litter Hpon which to carry the
sick prisoner they had rescued from
the jail. This chap here is all in"
said Judson. I'm afraid we aren't go
ing to get him through"
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly
beheld an emaclated figure lying in the
shade of a nearby guava bush. The
man was clad in filthy rags, his face
was dirty end oyergrown with
months beard; pair Of restless eyes
stared unblinkingly at the brazen sky
His lips were moving; from them is.
sued a steady patter of words, but 9th
erwise he showed no sign OF life.
''You said he was starving" Johnnie
dismounted and lent Judsoh a hand
with his task.
THAT'S what 1 thought at first, but
he's sick. / suppose it's that Internal
dungeon fever. We can swing him be.
tween our horses, and"
.Judson looked up to discover that
Johnnie was poised rigidly. his mouth
open, his hands halted in midair. The
sick mans voice had risen, and O'Reil,
ly, with a peculiar expression of
amazement upon his face, was strain
ing HIS ears to hear what he said.
'1Eh? What's the matter?" Judson
inquired.
For a moment O'Reilly remained
frozen in his attitude, then without a
word he strobe to the sufferer. He bent
forward, staring into the vacant, up
turned face. A cry burst from his
throat, a cry that was like a sob, and,
kneeling, he gathered the frail, filthy
figure into his arms.
"Esteban!' he cried. "Esteban! This
is O'Reilly. O'Rail-yel Don't you know
me? O'Reilly, your friend, your broth.
err! For Gods sake, tell me what
they've done to you! Look at me. Els.
teban! Look at me! Look at me Oh,
Esteban!"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness.
such passionate pity were in his
friends hoarse voice that Judson drew
closer. He noticed that the falntest
fame OF reason flickered for an instant
in the sick mans hollow eyes; then
they began to rove again. and the same
rustling whisper recommended. O'Reil-
~ held the boy tenderly in his arms
tears rolled down his cheeks as ne i'm
plored ESteban to bear and to heed
him.
''Try to hear me! Tryi" There was
fierce agony in the cry. "Where is
Rosa? :. Rosa? You're
safe now; you can tell me. i
You're safe with O'Reilly. .. ii
came back. | came back for you
and Rosa Where is she? Il
Is sha-dead?"