The Mena weekly star., 1919-01-30


 First Bodega.
 T guess tbis is poor!" he exulted Bedding | owsl Mosquito-net! Pn sleep comfortpb be after this"
 Dumping his burden of sheets blank cts, and brilliantly colored cotton quilts upon the floor, Branch selected two oi tho stoutest and began to knot the cor ners together.
 He had scarcely finished when Jud son refined in at the door and called tc O'Reilly: "We've cleaned out the drus store. Better get move on you, fol we may have to run any minute. Eve just heard about some Cuban prisoners in the calaboose. Gimme a hand anC we'll let 'em out"
 Sharing in the general consterna ton at the attack. the jail guards hac disappeared, leaving Lopez men free to break into the prison. When O'ReiI ly joined them the work was well un der way. Seizing whatever implements they could find, Judson and O'Reily went from cell to cell, battering, pry ing, smashing, leaving their comrades to rescue the inmates. While the Americans smashed lock after lock their comrades dragged the astonishet inmates from their kennels, hustled them into the street, and took them ur behind their saddles.
 The raid was over. retreat" was sounding, when Judson and O'Reilly ran out of the prison, remounted. and Joined their comrades, who were streaming back toward the plaza.
 Colonel Lopez galloped up to inquire anxiously. Did you find those eatables ehg'
 "Yes, sir, and a lot more"
 Good But failed Picklesi Caramba Nobody here ever heard oi oner
 "Did we lose any menT Judson asked.
 Mot one. But Ramos was badly cut"
 "So2 Then he got to close quarters with some Spaniard?"
 "Oh mol" The colonel grinned. He was in too great hurry and broke open a showcase with his fist"
 The retreating Cubans still main- tained their uproar, discharging their rifles into the air, shrieking defiance at their invisible foes, and voicing insult ing invitations to combat. This ferocity, however, served only to terrify further the civil population and to close the shutters of San Antonio the tighter. Meanwhile, the loyal troops remained safely in their bloekhouses, pouring a steady fire into the town. And despite this admirable display of courage the visitors showed a deep respect for their enemies craftsmanship, taking advan- tage of whatever shelter there was.
 The raiders had approached San An tonic de los Banos across the fields at the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their retreat by way of the camino real which followed the river bank. This road for short distance was exposed to the fire from one port; then 1t was sheltered by a bit of rising ground.
 O'Reilly, among the last to cross the zone of fire, was just congratulating himself upon the fortunate outcome of the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lo- peg ride to the crest of knoll, rise in his stirrups and, lifting his cupped hands to his lips, direct loud shout back toward the town. Lopez was fol- lowed by several of his men, who like wise began to yell and to wave their arms excItediy.
 Johnnie turned to discover that Les lie Branch had Jagged far behind, ana now. as if to cap his fantastic perform ances. had dismounted and was de- scendine the river bank to a place where a large washing had been spread upon the stones to dry. He was quite exposed, and a spiteful crackle from the nearest blockhouse showed that the spanIards were determined to bring him down. Mauser bullets ricocheteo among the rocks-even from this dis- tance their sharp explosions were audi ble--others broke the surface Of the stream into little geysers, as If school of fish were leaping.
 When Johnnie looked on in breath less apprehension Branch appropriated several suits that promised to fit him i; then he climbed up the bank, remount- ed his horse, and ambled slowly out or range.
 Now this was precisely the sort or barebrained exploit which delights q Cuban audience, When Leslie re io,nod his conrad refore, he was greeted with shouts and cheers.
 "Carambal He would risk his ire for a clean shirt. There's q Tel low for youl He enjoys the hum or these Spanish beesl Bravo Tell us what the bullets said to you, they cried, crowding around him in an admiring circle.
 O'Reiliy, unable to contain himself burst forth in a rage: Lopez ought to court-martial you"