SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Including the Masterful Military Career of 
 Theodore Roosevelt and His Merci- 
 ful Acts as President 
 
 ALVAN ELMAR CLARENDON 
 
 HOME PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 OMAHA, NEBRASKA
 
 COPYRIGHTED 
 
 August, 1912
 
 Including the Masterful Military Career of 
 Theodore Roosevelt and His Merci- 
 ful Acts as President. 
 
 ALVAN ELMAR CLARENDON 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS FOUND. 
 
 Chester Fenton was sweeping past the depot 
 structure of the city of Nempton. A lad of good ap- 
 pearance, although his face was somewhat black- 
 ened, for he had ridden day and night in a railway 
 car heaped with coal. 
 
 "I don't remember a city of that name but it's 
 tiptop, sure!" 
 
 The drifting smoke of the engine had also in- 
 creased the darkening of his face. As he walked up 
 'the street many persons looked upon his obscured 
 countenance. 
 
 "Say!' yelled a street Arab to another, "here's 
 one of dem kids dat 'longs to de minstrel show!" 
 
 3 
 
 11
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Chase yerself! He can't minstrel. He's been 
 a cleanin' out somebody's chimbley." 
 
 Shivering from the effects of his long exposure, 
 Chester hurried along. Passing a grocery store, he 
 hesitated a moment; then spoke to a man who was 
 arranging vegetables on an outside table : 
 
 "Please can you tell me where I can get some 
 work?" 
 
 The clerk, a man of heart, observed the boy from 
 head to foot. He saw that he was well-built, having 
 a pleasant face, heavy chestnut locks adorning his 
 head. Slowly he replied: 
 
 "No but you don't look right you are too dirty 
 to apply for work. ' ' 
 
 * * I can 't help it. I have come a long way. ' ' 
 
 "A long way? Don't you live here?" 
 
 "Come here to get work that I may live." 
 
 "Have you run away from home?" 
 
 ' * Home ! ' ' sighed the lad. * * I haven 't a home. ' ' 
 
 "No! How does that happen?" 
 
 "Suppose God didn't think I was worth it but 
 I'm awful hungry." 
 
 While they were speaking, the band of a minstrel 
 troupe was coming up the street. The darky in the 
 lead nourished a drum-major's staff, capped with 
 a gilded tambourine. As he swung and tossed it, he 
 chimed its bells and beat with hands, elbows and toes 
 its drum-covered head, thus marking time. Now 
 and then he grasped his great baton in such a man- 
 
 4
 
 A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS FOUND 
 
 ner that he could beat and ring it as if it were a huge 
 metronome. 
 
 The store attendant had crowded a handful of 
 cakes and an apple into the suffering boy's hand 
 just as the minstrel musicians came opposite to 
 them. The leader called to one of the admiring boys 
 who was crowding along beside the band : 
 
 ' ' Tell that black-faced kid on the sidewalk to come 
 this way. I want him. ' ' 
 
 Bushing away, the messenger soon reached Ches- 
 ter. 
 
 "Hullo, kid! That feller a swinging the banjo- 
 knobbed pole wants ye. Quick, er he'll be gone." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 * * Cheese it ! Git, I tell ye. He 's a goin ' to give ye 
 one of dem tooters." 
 
 Uttering many thanks to the man who had been 
 to him a benfactor, young Fenton hastened away 
 with the urchin who brought the request. When 
 they came to the manipulator of the staff, the lat- 
 ter hailed : 
 
 "Here you are. I want to see you as soon as we 
 are through with this march. I got some money for 
 you. Meet me at the Bierwirth Opera House." 
 
 The lad did as requested; and he was employed 
 for a part in the performance of the evening. He 
 appeared in a burlesque as "Coal Hod Jimmy." 
 For this he received seventy-five cents and his sup- 
 per. So well did he perform the allotted role, that 
 the manager of the Opera House gave him work as 
 
 5
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 a stage hand. This caused him great happiness and 
 he executed all requirements in a most active and 
 faithful manner. 
 
 He had been in Nempton some time when a popu- 
 lar company came to present a celebrated comedy at 
 the opera house. The leading lady, Mrs. Britt- 
 Ernst, was an actress of renown. Great interest 
 prevailed among the citizens and a large sale of re- 
 served seats took place. 
 
 The evening entertainment afforded much pleas- 
 ure to the audience; for the actress was not only 
 beautiful in person, but she performed her part in 
 a pleasing manner and with great skill. 
 
 Chester had duties connected with the scenic dis- 
 play. Now and then he had time to peep at the pre- 
 sentations which were captivating the assembled 
 multitude. Passing around among the back fills, he 
 unexpectedly came upon a girl sitting on a camp 
 stool. She was waiting to go forward as soon as 
 the cue reached her. Although gaudily attired for 
 stage appearance, she was of surpassing beauty. 
 
 "My!" he thought, "How " 
 
 He stopped. A thrill passed through him. She 
 was about his own age. Her eyes were full upon his 
 face. He was hatless ; but he raised his hand to the 
 tresses of hair upon his forehead, passing it through 
 the forms of a respectful salute. 
 
 "How lovely!" was the exclamation that sprang 
 into his mind. "She's an angel." 
 
 As these sentiments were agitating his bosom, a
 
 A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS FOUND 
 
 sweet smile brightened the girl 's face, enhancing its 
 rare charm. Chester also smiled and felt as if he 
 would like to fall down and worship the vision which 
 had burst upon his sight. In the midst of these de- 
 lights, the catchwords from the front rang in her 
 ears and she bounded off. 
 
 Chester stepped in a manner which seemed to in- 
 dicate that he was about to follow her. 
 
 "What beautiful eyes!" broke from his lips in 
 suppresesd tone, as he stayed his feet. "They are 
 bright blue like my mother's my only mother, 
 not " 
 
 Becoming silent, he looked for a moment as if 
 forsaken. 
 
 "I know," he cried, as he ran to a portion of the 
 scenery where he had found a small rent in one of 
 the wings. Looking through the opening, he whis- 
 pered : 
 
 "There she is! Sweet enough to entrance a fel- 
 low." 
 
 The girl was on the stage. Her mother was enact- 
 ing the role of a duchess. A young prince was visit- 
 ing her and she had called her daughter in to meet 
 him. As Chester looked forward the three were 
 conversing and the girl was acting very gracefully. 
 A new dance, the Verbranne, including a ribbon and 
 veil display, was touched upon in conversation: 
 
 "Dorothy can present that," remarked the duch- 
 ess. 
 
 "She can? Wouldn't it be fine if she could be
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 persuaded to give it f " tendered the scion of royalty, 
 glancing with favor upon the young being before 
 him. 
 
 "I am confident that she will should you invite 
 her, ' ' answered the lady. 
 
 "Please favor us, Miss Dorothy," begged the 
 prince. 
 
 With modest reserve the girl yielded, an attend- 
 ant handing her the necessary equipment. With an 
 exceedingly light movement, she began what proved 
 to be an unusually pleasing performance; a pretty 
 fairy step, heightened in beauty by graceful sweeps 
 of waving ribbon and gauze. At the close, the audi- 
 ence gave her an ovation. After bowing and retir- 
 ing several times, a partial repetition of the Ver- 
 branne was presented. Then the girl flew as a bird 
 from the proscenium and almost collided with 
 Chester. 
 
 "Pardon me," he faltered. "I didn't mean " 
 
 "Of course, you did not," she smilingly answered, 
 touching his arm. 
 
 Hurrying away, she disappeared from sight. 
 
 The boy looked after her. 
 
 "Oh, my!" he beamed, "of all the girls I ever saw, 
 she's the lovliest." 
 
 Later, when the members of the troupe were gath- 
 ering up their effects preparatory to leaving the 
 place, Chester hovered about like one who was go- 
 ing to lose all he possessed. He was living on the 
 
 8
 
 A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS FOUND 
 
 sweet glances the maiden had bestowed and waited 
 longing for more. 
 
 * ' Come, Dorothy, ' ' called the mother. * ' They can 
 send those things after us. ' ' 
 
 Going towards the stage entrance, they passed 
 the disconsolate lad. The girl held out her hand. 
 As Chester seized it, she returned a gentle pressure. 
 
 "God bless you," murmured the boy. "You are 
 lovely and good. ' ' 
 
 Again she sweetly smiled; and he took her hand 
 once more, and raising it to his lips, kissed it. This 
 brought a renewal of approving glances. 
 
 "Dorothy," recalled Mrs. Britt-Ernst, "come." 
 
 On the following morning Chester arose early. 
 As the day advanced, his excitement ran high. An 
 illuminant ray had entered his desolate life, it had 
 absorbed his mind, had enchained his senses. He 
 groped about his work in a dreamy reverie. At 
 length he asked his employer: 
 
 * * May I be absent for a few hours ! ' ' 
 
 "Absent? What are you going to do?" 
 
 Chester turned scarlet. Being greatly embar- 
 rassed, he remained silent. 
 
 "Well, go for awhile. You will be needed to- 
 night." 
 
 "I shall be here." 
 
 "Very well; that will make it all right." 
 
 "Thank you." 
 
 Dorothy Britt-Ernst was a member of the Fitz- 
 gibbon Stock Company. As it had gone to the rail- 
 
 9
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 way station where the baggage had been taken, he 
 hastened there and gazed anxiously about. 
 
 "Of course, they went on the passenger west," 
 he muttered. * ' Wonder to what place. ' ' 
 
 "Say, Mr. ," he called to a man trimming 
 
 lamps on the outer edge of the platform, "where 
 did that troupe go?" 
 
 "To Arrowville." 
 
 The lad hurried into the ticket office. 
 
 "When does the next train leave for Arrowville?" 
 he inquired. 
 
 "12:15 a freight." 
 
 "May passengers go on it?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Please give me a ticket for Arrowville.*' 
 
 It was then eleven. When the train came he 
 boarded it, and in due time reached the desired 
 haven, sixteen miles distant. Springing from the 
 coach he ran up town. 
 
 "Where is the opera house?" he asked of a youth 
 who was carrying a great roll of carpet. 
 
 "Opera house? The Cardinal? Two blocks 
 north, three west." 
 
 "Is that north and that west?" 
 
 "Eight you are." 
 
 With brisk steps he hastened on and soon came 
 to the building he sought. Speaking to an attendant 
 who was busy washing down the gallery stairs, he 
 inquired : 
 
 "Is the Fitzgibbon Company here tonight?" 
 
 10
 
 A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IS FOUND 
 
 "Fitzgibbon? No. The Dupont Minstrels go on 
 the boards." 
 
 "Is that so?" 
 
 1 ' There 's the bill. Bead it. ' ' 
 
 The informant was right. The Duponts were 
 billed for six consecutive appearances, beginning that 
 evening. 
 
 He afterwards learned that the Fitzgibbons had 
 gone westward. It was nine o'clock at night before 
 he got back to the Bierwirth. 
 
 "Hello!" cried the stage manager. "Had to set 
 another fellow in your place. Dunno whether the 
 boss '11 turn him off or not." 
 
 Young Fenton was troubled. He had not found 
 the fair girl whom he had sought and, perhaps, he 
 had lost the place which had yielded him a livelihood. 
 He determined to see the manager of the Bierwith 
 in the morning. 
 
 11
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BASE TREATMENT OF CHESTER FENTON. 
 
 For months Chester Fenton had been engaged as 
 a porter in the Nettleson hotel, Wichopolis. During 
 that employment, his mind had the past in profound 
 subordination. While he was busily recalling the 
 happy occurrences at the Nempton Opera House, his 
 attention was suddenly arrested by flaming display- 
 posters announcing the coming of the famous Fitz- 
 gibbon Company. In a few days it was to be in the 
 city for a presentation of the " Merry Men of Mon- 
 terey. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Coming ! Oh, I shall be happy. ' ' 
 
 The statement of those bills filled his mind with 
 visionary thought. As the hours moved forward, 
 Dorothy was the central figure in his consciousness. 
 
 "Will she remember me? Of course for she is 
 good." 
 
 With him she had been an enduring entity. In 
 his day dreams her face had been present beside 
 that of his mother's ; by night, the two had been min- 
 gled in the flitting images of sleep. 
 
 "She is beautiful so sweet," he murmured. 
 " I 've been trying to save money for her. It 's slow, 
 but still " 
 
 The thought died without full expression; but 
 
 12
 
 BASE TREATMENT OF CHESTER FENTON 
 
 in his imagination flitted shadows of a house in a 
 beautiful garden, and of himself sitting on a porch 
 beside a flaxen-haired young lady. 
 
 " Please let it come," he petitioned, looking heav- 
 enward. "I'll be so good that my mother who has 
 gone will bless me." 
 
 The evening for the "Merry Men of Monterey" 
 came at last; and the Monckton Grand found Ches- 
 ter in a seat near the proscenium. With throbbing 
 heart he watched each secne, expecting that any mo- 
 ment would bring forward Mrs. Britt-Ernst or the 
 young daughter, Dorothy, for whom his eyes long- 
 ingly waited. But neither came. 
 
 The curtain fell and he slowly arose, his coun- 
 tenance betraying sadness. Going out, he made his 
 way to the stage entrance and passed into the inner 
 rooms. 
 
 "Where is Mr. Fitzgibbon?" he asked of an actor 
 he met. 
 
 The person addressed pointed to a partially open 
 door. Trembling, the youth tapped upon it. 
 
 "Come," was the response. 
 
 Chester entered and found a tall man buttoning 
 up his overcoat. 
 
 ."Excuse me," he faltered, "but is Mrs. Britt- 
 Ernst here?" 
 
 "Mrs. Britt-Ernst? What do you know about 
 that woman?" 
 
 "I knew her once." 
 
 "You did? Well, she's not with us now been 
 
 13
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 away a year or so. Went to the dogs ! ' ' 
 
 ''The dogs, sir?" 
 
 "Same thing! Left a company that would have 
 made her a millionaire. Married a roustabout. ' ' 
 
 "Where was that if you please, sir?" 
 
 "At Los Angles." 
 
 "Will you tell me the man's name!" 
 
 "Let me see. Stadman no, Strathmore, Oscar 
 Strathmore. ' ' 
 
 "Thank you, Mr. Fitzgibbon." 
 
 Chester hurried away. He walked the streets in 
 various directions, unable to settle his mind suffi- 
 ciently for a return to the hotel for sleep. At length 
 he found himself near the end of a bridge spanning 
 the Arkansas river. He did not notice that two 
 rough looking men were dodging after him. Near- 
 ing the middle arch he recognized stealthy steps be- 
 hind him. Undisturbed, he partially faced around. 
 
 "Howdy!" saluted one of the fellows. "What's 
 er name of the street at tother end of the bridge ? ' ' 
 
 Carelessly Chester cast his eyes in the direction 
 indicated. On the instant, the other struck him a 
 terrible blow upon his head. Stunned, he fell to the 
 ground. The questioner, dropping on his knees, be- 
 gan to rifle the pockets of the stricken boy, while the 
 wielder of the sandbag stood guard. 
 
 "Has he got rhino?" fumed the latter. 
 
 "Sure some anyway. I knowed he allus carried 
 his stuff what he didn't git away with." 
 
 14
 
 BASE TREATMENT OF CHESTER FENTON 
 
 "Somebody's comin' on the furder end of the 
 bridge, ' ' muffled the watch. 
 
 "Trapped!" growled the other, stuffing the steal- 
 ings into his pocket. "We'll have to sling him over. 
 He seed me an ' then they '1 cotch us if we leave him 
 here. Take him by the heels. " 
 
 The two lifted and dropped him over the bridge 
 railing into the flood below. 
 
 "Down on the timbers till them two fellers git by 
 -then we '11 git!" 
 
 With these words they scrambled down to the 
 stringer-supports. 
 
 Xear the end on which Chester had entered the 
 bridge, a policeman, Bob Strayer, was advancing. 
 Being for the moment a little unwary, he paid but 
 trifling attention to the figures moving on the cen- 
 tral portion of the structure. Unexpectedly, as it 
 seemed to his slowly -awakening senses, he saw one 
 spring from the rail into the water. Then he 
 aroused. 
 
 "Jumped into the river," he exclaimed. 
 
 With a swift turn and a dash, he was at the bank 
 of the stream in a moment. 
 
 * ' Bill ! " he shouted to a man in a little shanty by 
 the river's side, "a couple of oars, quick!" 
 
 The man glanced out of the partially opened door, 
 then seized two oars and hurried down to where the 
 guardian of the law stood with his hand on the prow 
 of the boat. 
 
 "What's going forrardl" he demanded. 
 
 15
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Somebody's jumped into the drink. Spring in. 
 Take one skimmer and I '11 pull the other. ' ' 
 
 "This ice is going to bother," grumbled Bill. 
 * * Can 't tell anybody from a chunk of drift. ' ' 
 
 "We got to try. Pull slaunchwise. Whoever it 
 is, he '11 be a hundred yards down the stream by this 
 time." 
 
 When Chester struck the icy water of the river, 
 the sudden plunge aroused him to consciousness. 
 Rising to the surface at the moment of his restora- 
 tion, although palsied with cold, he struck out being 
 a good swimmer. Pieces of the floating ice inter- 
 fered with his arms and hands, at times striking 
 him on the face. The lights along the shore, serv- 
 ing as guides, enabled him to direct his course. 
 
 Thus for awhile he struggled. But soon the chill 
 of his members made his action slow. 
 
 "I can never reach it," he murmured, looking 
 shoreward. ' ' Mother, I am coming. ' ' 
 
 He had struck a piece of ice several feet in ex- 
 tent. Putting his hands upon it, he ceased effort. 
 
 "It is dark dark!" 
 
 His eyes slowly closed. 
 
 "I wonder where she is?" he breathed. "Doro- 
 thy, sweetest on earth, good-by, dear love, good-by. ' ' 
 
 For a minute or so he remained inert, floating 
 with the current. Then he felt that his support on 
 the drift was being lost. A stroke or two with his 
 feet and the hold was renewed; but his brain was 
 
 16
 
 BASE TREATMENT OF CHESTER FENTON 
 
 yielding to insensibility. His grasp on life was slip- 
 ping away. 
 
 "Here, Bill, take my oar," shouted Strayer 
 "Work 'em both. Somebody is right ahead." 
 
 Passing his implement to his companion, he 
 kneeled down in the prow. 
 
 ' ' A little left, ' ' he cried. ' ' There ! Hold steady. ' ' 
 
 "Pull! He's sinking!" 
 
 The bow struck the piece of ice on which Chester 's 
 hands still had a slight hold. The policeman leaned 
 over and clutched the disappearing youth by the coat 
 sleeve. 
 
 "Slack up!" he called. "Balance the craft; so 
 I can pull him in. " 
 
 This was done and young Fenton, being drawn 
 over the gunwale, was placed in the bottom of the 
 boat. 
 
 "He's about gone, Bill. We must get him to quar- 
 ters on a run." 
 
 A few minutes later they were on shore. 
 
 "Bill, he's breathing. Let's rush him to the sta- 
 tion. You take hold of his legs." 
 
 Placing Chester on their shoulders, they hurried 
 him to the office of the police surgeon.
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS. 
 
 The incident of the rescue was four weeks old. 
 Chester, after his resuscitation by the surgeon and 
 his recovery of strength, had been returned to the 
 Nettleson, where he resumed his occupation. Penni- 
 less, for he had been in the habit of carrying all his 
 savings about his person, he was trying to earn more 
 money that he might bring the vision which hung 
 over Los Angeles nearer to his longing gaze. 
 
 "Is this the fellow that did you up?" demanded 
 Bob Strayer, suddenly thrusting a refractory and 
 ragged creature before the youth as he was busy 
 in an alcove of the office. 
 
 Fenton looked and his eyes fell. It was the man 
 who had accosted him on the bridge at the time that 
 he was robbed. But the ferocious glare that met 
 him, and the interdictive warning from the shaggy 
 brows, gave him pause. A scarlet flush mounted his 
 face, investing it with a tell-tale acknowldgment ; yet 
 he did not reply. 
 
 "What's on the wire?" demanded the policeman, 
 looking keenly at the youth. 
 "I don't seem to know," he replied, not venturing 
 
 18
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 again to scan the rascal who confronted him. ' ' May- 
 be I can tell better after awhile." 
 
 "Jes' so," returned Strayer. "I know," he 
 growled, slipping steel wristlets on the culprit. 
 
 Taking firm hold of his prisoner's arm, he hustled 
 him rapidly from the room. 
 
 Chester continued his work; but his spirit dwelt 
 in discomfited measure all day long. As the even- 
 ing came on, he went from the hotel on a matter of 
 business. He noticed a man of tattered appearance 
 near the curb. A glance at the loathsome looking 
 object caused the boy to go forward rapidly; yet 
 when he had performed his errand and was about to 
 return home, he passed the same individual stand- 
 ing at the outer edge of the pavement. Chester 
 hesitated, coming almost to a standstill. 
 
 In a mood which was far from pleasing, he con- 
 tinued his walk toward the hotel, question and an- 
 swer chasing each other alternately through his 
 mind with startling rapidity. 
 
 ''There is a reason for this double meeting. For 
 some purpose this man is dogging my steps," he 
 decided upon his return. 
 
 Entering the hotel, he sat down and continued to 
 reflect upon the incident until he retired for the 
 night. On the following morning he noticed the 
 same tatterdemalion watching the hotel from the op- 
 posite side of the street. Chester then became con- 
 vinced that he was the object of a surveillance estab- 
 
 19
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 lished by the associates of the criminal who had been 
 arrested and held by the authorities. 
 
 "It's so and no mistake. They are after me." 
 
 A little later Bob Strayer called on the youth and 
 in an informal talk tried to brace him up for a com- 
 ing examination by the police judge of the suspected 
 criminal. 
 
 * ' He 's the rascal and you know it and justice re- 
 quires you to say so and our force will see to it that 
 no harm comes to you." 
 
 "He and his crowd are watching me follow me 
 wherever I go. They failed to drown me, so they 
 are going to try some other way." 
 
 He then related the incidents which had occurred 
 since the arrest, showing how he had been spied 
 upon and followed. 
 
 ' * There don 't any more crims chase you, ' ' averred 
 the bluecoat. "I'll see to that. Enough fellows 
 shall be on the watch to protect you and nab that 
 blossom." 
 
 "But there are others," returned the lad. 
 
 "Mebbe but we'll keep you safe. Fact is, the 
 one in soak will go down to the pen and his gang, 
 every one of them, will trot along after him. Mark 
 it : there'll be a batch of devils the less in this place." 
 
 "Perhaps you can care for me." 
 
 "I'll send a man right straight. If that fellow 
 comes back, point him out and we'll run him in!" 
 
 The incidents above related led the youth into 
 
 20
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 serious reflection. Did he care to suffer more from 
 the brutal element of the city? 
 
 "It won't do," he insisted. "It won't do." 
 
 Since his interview with Fitzgibbon, a longing for 
 the Pacific coast had seized his heart. It thus hap- 
 pened that the present course of events enlarged his 
 thought of departing from the Nettleson. Busily 
 pursuing his duty, he suddenly perceived the same 
 nondescript eyeing him through the partially open 
 door of the lavatory. 
 
 "What do you want?" he inquired, stepping to- 
 ward the fellow. 
 
 "Nothin'," was the reply. "Jest a lookin' 
 around. ' ' 
 
 "The proprietor does not allow persons who are 
 not guests to occupy this room. ' ' 
 
 The man gave him a savage look, then twisted 
 about and shot away. 
 
 This occurrence fixed his half-formed resolution. 
 In the evening he slipped away from the rear of the 
 hotel. 
 
 "I'm up against it," muttered Chester. 
 
 A few minutes later he was at the railroad yards 
 watching for a chance to depart for the west. He 
 soon managed to do this for several days indepen- 
 dent of paying fare ; for he had but a small amount 
 of money. On an afternoon, from a town in New 
 Mexico, he caught the second blind of the mail train. 
 A man already occupied it. 
 
 21
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Hello, bo ! Which way?" was the salutation that 
 greeted Chester. 
 
 "Going to Los Angeles." 
 
 "Peubla de Los Angeles, eh? It's a cussed fraud 
 to call it that ! No angel in the hull push. The cops 
 are the most ornery on airth. I never ran up agin 
 sich a outfit ! ' ' 
 
 In Los Angeles the figure of a young girl was 
 awaiting him the youth believed. He, therefore, 
 promptly replied : 
 
 "There are some good people in that place." 
 
 "You are left! They are all misfits." 
 
 "Where are you bound?" asked Chester, in an ef- 
 fort to change the drift of the conversation. 
 
 "To the happy land o' Canaan. I'm drum major 
 of Gideon's band." 
 
 "Indeed! That's fine." 
 
 "Bet your boots. Gimme a bite of tobac." 
 
 "Haven't got a bit." 
 
 "You're a daisy ! 'Spect to git on a kerridge with 
 a copper magnate of Arizony, the owner of all the 
 mines in that kentry and not have a chaw to give 
 him?" 
 
 They rode awhile longer; but when the train was 
 leaving a town, two brakemen, one on each side of 
 the platform, sprang on the car end. 
 
 "Tickets!" roared the first one up. 
 
 ' ' Mine 's a pass, ' ' returned the copper magnate. 
 
 "Let's see it." 
 
 "A tie pass. I left it tother end of the road." 
 
 22
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 "Draw your wad quicker 'n scat." 
 
 "A feller swiped mine I don't know how it is 
 with my pard. ' ' 
 
 * * Git, then ! ' ' yelled the brakeman. 
 
 "Don't git till the keer stops," countered the 
 leader of Gideon's band. 
 
 "Split the ties!" roared the trainman. "Rip 
 them up, you - - bum, or I'll land you!" 
 
 "You keep your hands off 'n me while she's a snort- 
 in' like this." 
 
 "Throw your clodhops, I tell you!" 
 
 "T'ell an' be scorched! I'll skidoo when the out- 
 fit comes to a stand," he sullenly answered, leaning 
 back against the end of the coach. 
 
 The trainhand grabbed him and with great 
 strength began to drag him toward the platform 
 steps. 
 
 "Let up!" hammered out the drum major. "A 
 ride on this postal rig don't cost the railroad noth- 
 ing. Guvment pays the freight. ' ' 
 
 He had seized the railing with both hands and was 
 holding on with all his might. 
 
 The second brakeman, who had not spoken during 
 the altercation, now came to the assistance of his 
 comrade and with well directed kicks from his heavy 
 boot, compelled the hobo to loosen his grip. Finding 
 that he was going to be worsted, he suddenly flung 
 his arms around his assailant's neck. He then threw 
 his whole weight against him. The two rolled off 
 the end of the narrow platform, falling heavily upon 
 
 23
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 the side of the graveled track. The attacking brake- 
 man became the under dog and fell with a crash on 
 his side, breaking his left forearm. At the moment 
 this occurred, the kicking savage, who had early 
 clutched Chester by the collar, now fiercely swung 
 him after the disappearing train. 
 
 ' * Cuss 'em, ' ' he stormed, ' * let 'em go together. ' ' 
 
 The train had gained full headway. 
 
 "Shiver everything!" he continued. "Jet got it 
 in the neck. I'll bet he's done up !" 
 
 He made a movement toward the steps, then 
 swung around. 
 
 "Don't figure how quick he is, he can't get aboard. 
 That lousy shyster floored him." 
 
 Beaching up, he grasped the bell cord and gave 
 the engineer the stop signal. 
 
 The lightning express came to a standstill. The 
 brakeman on the blind jumped off and ran to meet 
 the conductor who had hastily alighted. 
 
 "Who pulled the cord I" demanded the latter. 
 
 "I did," replied the subordinate. "Jet and I 
 were throwing off two tramps and they got him. 
 He's back here a piece." 
 
 The line of coaches backed up to where the train- 
 man was hobbling along to meet it. When falling 
 the hobo drove his knees heavily into his opponent's 
 side. In addition to the broken arm, this well-nigh 
 paralyzed the brakeman. Uninjured, the castaway 
 sprang from him and hustled away. He had gone 
 
 24
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 a short distance when he stumbled upon Chester, 
 who lay writhing in anguish. 
 
 "Hi, sidepard, how goes it!'* 
 
 Save a groan, no answer was returned. 
 
 "Did that cussed swab do you up?" 
 
 ' ' My leg is broken. I cannot stand. ' ' 
 
 * * Leg broke ! Which one f ' ' 
 
 The man knelt down and began to feel the limb 
 indicated. 
 
 "No break," he pronounced. "Maybe knocked 
 out. Let's see you stand." 
 
 "I can't stand. Tried it and couldn't. Ankle's 
 broken." 
 
 Another overhauling by the major of the drums, 
 followed. 
 
 "Swelling some. Wrenched pretty bad, I reckon, 
 but not cracked. Stop you from goin' to see them 
 angels for a spell." 
 
 The train had pulled out and the hobo stood up 
 and looked around. 
 
 "Say," he twanged. "I kin hear a dog barkin' 
 over yander. Looks like a house and jacal agin the 
 sky. It's a rancho. You'll be able to make it in the 
 morning. I '11 have to go back to the station to ketch 
 a train. S 'long till I see you agin. " 
 
 With these words he took the middle of the track 
 and was soon lost in the shadows of the night. 
 
 To Chester the darkness seemed interminable. 
 For hours he held his aching leg with both hands, 
 while there rang around him on every hand the 
 
 25
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 barks and piercing howls of gray wolves. During 
 the night train after train rushed by. On one of 
 them, from the side door of a cattle car, his late com- 
 panion saluted: 
 
 "Right side up, pard!" 
 
 After a long period of suffering, the sun arose 
 and the youth began to look for the ranch intimated 
 by the hobo to be not far away. In one direction 
 was a river, with forest growth along its banks, 
 while not far distant he could distinguish ranch 
 buildings and fences. When the morning was ad- 
 vanced, he saw a large herd of cattle grazing near 
 the track, moving towards him. His body was 
 bruised and sore, but he stood upon his uninjured 
 limb and attempted to step forward. 
 
 1 ' No good, ' ' he muttered. ' * One leg will work, but 
 the other " 
 
 He sank back to the ground and placing his head 
 on his arm his eyes moistened ; for he thought that, 
 perhaps, he was permanently crippled. 
 
 "Dorothy wouldn't want to see a hobbling old 
 plug coming along out there!" 
 
 Another hour had passed. He again sat up. 
 Grasping his swollen ankle, he cried out : 
 
 ' ' It hurts dreadfully. What am I going to do ? ' ' 
 
 Sitting erect for some minutes, he scanned the 
 surface of the prairie. 
 
 "Somebody's coming this way," he voiced a little 
 later. 
 
 26
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 A person on horseback was following a trail that 
 came near to where he lay. 
 
 "It's a woman," he declared. "Her cayuse is on 
 a lope, but she is still urging it on. ' ' 
 
 The rider was a fair young girl of fifteen or more. 
 Her appearance was highly romantic and her beauti- 
 ful hair fell upon her shoulders in massive, rich ring- 
 lets. As she came opposite Chester, she presented 
 a picture of maidenly charm which could not fail to 
 arrest the attention of a youthful mind. Casting a 
 single glance upon him, she continued to ride for- 
 ward ; but the youth 's good-featured, clearly formed 
 countenance, with pleading eyes, caused her to hesi- 
 tate. Drawing rein, she turned around, circling to 
 where he sat with his hands on his injured ankle. 
 
 "Are you hurt?" she asked. 
 
 He nodded, and in a moment added : 
 
 "Yes, Miss a good deal." 
 
 "Did you fall from the train?" 
 
 Chester looked steadily into her eyes eyes of en- 
 trancing beauty and beaming with such compassion 
 that they held him speechless for some moments. As . 
 it became evident to him that there was nothing but 
 a gentle desire to understand the situation, he re- 
 plied : 
 
 * ' I was thrown off. ' ' 
 
 "Thrown off!" she murmured. "Why did 
 
 She held her words back ; for although she did not 
 understand the cause of Chester's fall, it occurred 
 to her that she must not press for information at 
 
 27
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 this time; for should it be necessary to know how 
 it had happened, a statement later would be made. 
 
 1 1 Never mind. It does not matter. ' ' 
 Remaining silent for a moment, she again spoke : 
 
 "Are you hurt so that you cannot ride a horse ?" 
 
 "I think I can ride." 
 
 ' * Then I will go back and see the young man with 
 the cattle and have him bring a horse to you. ' ' 
 
 She was gone but a few minutes. Upon her re- 
 turn she was accompanied by a herder who, jumping 
 off his horse, exclaimed : 
 
 "Hello, cripple! I reckon we can get you on to 
 this crittur. What do you say?" 
 
 "Perhaps I can climb on," Chester answered, ris- 
 ing on one foot from his lowly position. Stumbling 
 to the side of the animal, he placed his hands on its 
 back. 
 
 "Give me your unbusted prop," requested the 
 cowboy. ' ' There, ' ' he commented, as he seized with 
 both hands the leg which was unhurt and fairly lifted 
 the youth from the ground into the saddle, "now 
 you're on top!" 
 
 "Wait a minute!" he continued, adjusting the in- 
 jured foot to the stirrup. "It's best to have that 
 jint in the slot. If you hold yourself on the other 
 clog, this one ought to be where it'll be out of the 
 way." 
 
 "You are very kind," gratefully returned Fenton. 
 
 They began to move forward, following a narrow 
 
 23
 
 ATTEMPTED SURVEILLANCE BY CRIMINALS 
 
 trail. The young girl led until they were near the 
 homestead, then she turned and said : 
 
 "I will ride faster and prepare mother for your 
 coming. It is best for you to ride slowly." 
 
 Speaking to her mount, she went speedily onward 
 in the direction of the dwelling, which she soon had 
 reached. Chester saw her in conversation with a 
 lady who had come out to the front porch. Present- 
 ly the younger one galloped back to the place where 
 the youth was about to enter the gate leading into 
 the home lot. 
 
 "Have I delayed you?" she asked of her charge. 
 
 "Oh, no. I came right along." 
 
 The house was built in two sections ; the rear part 
 was of hewn logs obtained from the woodlands skirt- 
 ing the river; the front elevation was constructed of 
 lumber in a good style of architecture. 
 
 In the grounds around the home were many beau- 
 tiful shrubs and tastefully arranged beds brilliant 
 with flowers. The porch extended on two sides and 
 was almost enclosed by a heavy growth of Ameri- 
 can ivy. At the steps Chester dismounted with diffi- 
 culty, although helped by the herder who had fol- 
 lowed him. After a while the youth stood within 
 the shadow of the vines. Assisted by a domestic, 
 the young lady set a small table before him, on which 
 food was placed. 
 
 It was not long before the mother came. She was 
 a handsome woman perhaps thirty-five years of 
 age ; and a glance made manifest whence the daugh- 
 
 29
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ter's beauty in its most striking features was de- 
 rived. Looking kindly on the injured youth, she said 
 to him: 
 
 "You have been unfortunate, Alma tells me. I 
 am very sorry. Mr. Arlington is away from home 
 is at Santa Fe. But after you have refreshed your- 
 self, we shall see if something can be done to relieve 
 the pain of your injured ankle. I have sent for a 
 physician. 
 
 "You are very good, madam," gratefully re- 
 turned Chester, the tears springing to his eyes. 
 "And the young lady has been so kind that I do not 
 know how I may thank you enough." 
 
 Mrs. Arlington smiled and pleasantly answered: 
 * * We are glad to assist you. ' ' 
 
 While thus speaking, she arranged the articles 
 of food within his reach. 
 
 Thus he was introduced to the house of Mr. 
 Charles Arlington, who had formerly been a resi- 
 dent of Boston. The gentleman had come to the far 
 southwest partly because his business was decreas- 
 ing in volume, and partly on account of his health, 
 which had suffered by close confinement in a crowd- 
 ed city. To counteract the threatened conditions, 
 his physicians recommended the climate of New 
 Mexico. 
 
 30
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHESTER BREATHED HIS LOVE FOR DOROTHY. 
 
 Young Fenton had remained at Hurstlands, the 
 vast landed estate of the Arlingtons, for more than 
 two years. His innate ability and willing disposition 
 had taught him to become one of the most expert 
 of the herders or cowboys on the range. 
 
 "He's a good one," declared a stock foreman. 
 "He can rope a steer or bust a bronco with the best 
 of them." 
 
 To his employer, Charles Arlington, he had been 
 most faithful; and in recognition he was then re- 
 ceiving a wage equal to that paid to men who had 
 been engaged in the work for many years. 
 
 "All for Dorothy," he whispered, as he put by 
 another addition to his hoard. 
 
 "When I am a little older and have larger sav- 
 ings, I will go to her," he declared at a later date, 
 while he was busily engaged endeavoring to hive a 
 swarm of bees. 
 
 He had put a white cloth under the tree in which 
 they were clustered. Some honeycomb was placed in 
 an empty hive he had set on two small blocks on the 
 cloth. It was not long before the bees had taken 
 possession of the cell prepared for them. 
 
 31
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 The passing of the days had so developed and 
 matured his features and the proportions of his 
 body, that he had become a manly-looking youth 
 indeed, many persons pronounced him handsome. 
 To a friend at Santa Fe, Mrs. Arlington announced : 
 
 "He's a fine looking young man and is honest 
 and good." 
 
 Mrs. Arlington, kind and sympathetic, had treated 
 him with the consideration and attention of a good 
 mother. To young Fenton this had been most grate- 
 ful in return he was reverential and ever watchful 
 of an opportunity to serve her. The daughter had 
 been very gracious, had contributed to his feelings 
 and personal comfort as if she were the kindest of 
 sisters. These conditions were strengthened by the 
 following incidents : 
 
 On one occasion Alma, sitting before her easel in 
 the woodlands near the Canadian, was sketching the 
 surrounding scenery. A great Gila monster, the 
 heloderma, with a black, scaly body slashed by flam- 
 ing yellow, suddenly sprang towards her. The girl 
 cried terribly. Chester hearing it, dashed there on 
 horseback and saved her from danger by killing the 
 beast with his revolver. 
 
 At another time she was coming home after hav- 
 ing taken some gifts to a poor widow several miles 
 distant. A creek near the Arlington home had sud- 
 denly swollen by a water flood from the mountains. 
 Riding her favorite pony, she endeavored to cross, 
 but her mount was forced down the stream and soon 
 
 32
 
 CHESTER BREATHED HIS LOVE FOR DOROTHY 
 
 she was swept from its back. Her cry was again 
 heard by Chester, who ran to the water course. See- 
 ing her sink, he sprang in and after tremendous ef- 
 fort, imperiling the life of both, he brought her 
 ashore. 
 
 These events seemed to bring Chester into closer 
 relation with the members of the family. Mr. Ar- 
 lington was aroused to a warmer interest and 
 evinced renewed solicitude concerning the youth's 
 welfare and Alma thanked him much, smiling upon 
 him in a manner that spoke volumes. 
 
 As the days wore on, Chester's unwavering heed 
 to their wishes and his constant effort to execute 
 faithfully every direction given to him, were mani- 
 fest on all occasions. Moreover, it was apparent 
 that the friendship between him and the daughter 
 drew stronger. 
 
 "A wonderful good girl," he often thought. 
 
 Yet sometimes he would question himself as to 
 whether he was maintaining too great an interest in 
 her; for the shadowy outlines of another form con- 
 stantly evolved itself in his memory. 
 
 1 'I shall not forget Dorothy," he avowed, 
 1 'never!" 
 
 "But it is true that Alma is exceptionally dear. 
 She is always ready to assist me or do anything for 
 me. A wonderful girl ! ' ' 
 
 At length his earnest attention and regard caused 
 renewed reflection; and when he concluded there 
 was danger of the replacement of the old by the sub- 
 
 33
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 stitution of the new, he began to consider himself 
 traitorous : 
 
 "Disloyal to her," he muttered. "No, Dorothy, 
 no. It shall not be." 
 
 From that time forward, his dreams again took 
 form around the unknown city of Los Angeles. Then 
 came the reflection that he must move on must 
 seek the absent one. So conscientious was he in the 
 remembrance of the young girl who took his hand 
 on the stage at Nempton, that he never failed to re- 
 call peremptorily his thoughts if they were straying 
 from steadfast fealty to her. 
 
 "Miss Alma is so kind and good," he whispered, 
 "but" 
 
 A culmination of these concepts and reasonings 
 occurred early on a bright sunny morning of June, 
 causing him to communicate to Mr. Arlington his 
 purpose to go away. 
 
 "No, my boy, not away," urged the gentleman. 
 
 "Yes, I must. There are things that call me." 
 
 "Is it so? This is a surprise to me. To what 
 place are you going?" 
 
 "Why," returned Chester, showing embarrass- 
 ment, "I have not quite determined, but think I shall 
 go on to California Los Angeles. People that I 
 know are there and I want to meet them." 
 
 "Oh, that's better. It would not be well to cast 
 your lot in a strange place where you had no 
 . acquaintances." 
 
 Thus he prepared the way for his departure. A 
 
 34
 
 CHESTER BREATHED HIS LOVE FOR DOROTHY 
 
 morning or two after, while standing on the porch 
 looking forth on the beautiful scenes that lay out- 
 stretched before him, Alma came near. 
 
 * ' So you are about to leave us and make your home 
 among strangers," she articulated, in halting syl- 
 lables which manifested an unusual vibrancy and 
 seemingly conveyed remonstrance and gentle disap- 
 probation. 
 
 "Strangers? Yes, in a measure, though I know 
 one family." 
 
 "Do you? I hope you may find a home." 
 
 "Home!" he repeated, looking with a wandering 
 uncertainty on the ground and continuing with his 
 voice dropped to a soft modulation, as if he were 
 musing; "I had a home once and a mother. She was 
 good so good but she passed away when I was a 
 little fellow and well, I have never been cared for 
 since never, I mean, till I came here." 
 
 The girl smiled and her eyes gave evidence of the 
 pleasure which the acknowledgement afforded her. 
 After a moment or two of renewed hesitation, Ches- 
 ter added : 
 
 * ' You have been very kind to me, Miss Alma you 
 and your mother kinder than I deserved. I shall 
 always remember." 
 
 * * Not kinder than you deserved. No, no, ' ' she af- 
 firmed, her voice betraying a tremor which she could 
 not repress, ' ' especially when it is remembered that 
 it was bestowed upon one who had imperiled his 
 own like to save me from a cruel death," she added 
 
 89
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 in faltering intonation, which became for a moment 
 inaudible. "But we shall be glad to have you think 
 of us," she resumed, after a visible effort. 
 
 The tears were now trickling silently down Alma's 
 cheeks and Chester's, too. The girl turned away. 
 
 "I can never forget," he assured, "never. I only 
 wish there was some way for me to prove my grati- 
 tude." 
 
 Alma moved full around and stood facing him. 
 
 "But the time may come 
 
 "The time has come," declared the girl "and 
 how can I receive greater evidence than what you 
 have given?" 
 
 "Why I am thinking of what I may be able- 
 He stopped. A thought sprang into his mind that 
 his language was not well chosen. A distant face 
 bearing a semblance of chiding seemed to rise in his 
 consciousness. He looked away, his eyes again bear- 
 ing veiled reticence and again brimming with tears. 
 
 "Do not trouble yourself with that," entreated his 
 young hostess. "We are indebted to you. Yet it 
 may happen, I hope, that we shall meet again in- 
 deed I shall expect it." 
 
 Chester gave a quick glance. Liquid pearls were 
 clinging to the maiden's silken lashes. 
 
 "They tell me that you are going away today," 
 broke in Mrs. Arlington, who unnoticed, had ap- 
 proached them. 
 
 "Yes, Mrs. Arlington. I am soon to go from a 
 home where I have been happy the first happiness 
 
 36
 
 CHESTER BREATHED HIS LOVE FOR DOROTHY 
 
 I have known since my mother left me but I can 
 never forget." 
 
 Moisture again suffused his eyelids and his lip 
 quivered. 
 
 " John is putting the team on the carryall. He will 
 take you to the train," evasively replied the lady. 
 
 A few minutes more and the parting scene was 
 over. When Alma had taken his hand, she whirled 
 quickly around and disappeared. The boy, overcome 
 with grief, yet governed by the thought that he must 
 be unerringly true to Dorothy Britt-Ernst, turned 
 slowly from the little company and climbed into the 
 ^vehicle, which immediately started on its way. 
 
 From the mesa, John drove down to the river bot- 
 tom. Thence for some distance the narrow trail led 
 them among sycamore and pinon trees, with here 
 and there a dwarf cedar. Leaving the forest shades, 
 they drove out on the open lowland leading to the 
 railway station. Chester bought transportation and 
 had his baggage checked to Los Angeles. 
 
 37
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY. 
 
 When the train pulled into Los Angeles, Chester 
 stepped from the car-platform. Casting his eyes 
 down the track, he caught sight of a great viaduct 
 which spans the numerous steel-ribboned roadbeds. 
 Its broad passageway was alive with electro-motor 
 cars and other vehicles. 
 
 A little later he left the railway structure. A walk 
 of some minutes brought him away from the most 
 important part of the city. He stopped at a res- 
 taurant and took dinner. When passing out he spoke 
 to the cashier : 
 
 1 'Do you know a man in this place by the name of 
 Strathmore ? ' ' 
 
 The person questioned looked around, tapped his 
 head with a pencil, then bawled out : 
 
 " Don't know any such party. What is his busi- 
 ness?" 
 
 * ' The owner of a lot of cattle and a block of gold 
 mine stock." 
 
 "Cattle! You'll have to go out on the range to 
 find sich." 
 
 Chester turned away. Proceeding leisurely, he 
 made numerous inquiries concerning the Strath- 
 
 38
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 mores. Late in the afternoon, he found himself in 
 front of Central Park. Halting, he looked up at the 
 towering height of the great buildings on the oppo- 
 site side of the street. A trolley car crowded to the 
 steps with passengers, passed. A policeman came 
 near. 
 
 "What places are those?" asked the young man, 
 pointing across the roadway. 
 
 "Them? That's the Calif orny Club; tother's the 
 Auditorium. ' ' 
 
 "Oh! Do you know a family by the name of 
 Strathmore?" 
 
 ' ' Never heard of it. What are they engaged in ? " 
 
 "The lady is an actress." 
 
 "Actress! There's a bunch of actors over there 
 in the Auditorium. You might find out among 
 them." 
 
 Chester hastened across the street and entered the 
 Auditorium through the box office. Seeing the stage 
 superintendent arranging details for the evening's 
 performance, he went forward and spoke to him. 
 
 * * I am trying to find a lady by the name of Strath- 
 more. Before marriage she was Maggie Britt- 
 Ernst, acting with the Fitzgibbon Company when it 
 played here a while back. ' ' 
 
 "Fitzgibbon hasn't been here ever since I have 
 forgotten when. ' ' 
 
 "And the lady, Maggie Britt-Ernst? Do you re- 
 member her?" 
 
 ' ' Not at all ; so it isn 't likely that I can recall her. ' ' 
 
 39
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Is she in Los Angeles now?" 
 
 " Don't know. Go into the box office and look in 
 the city directory. ' ' 
 
 Chester did this. The box office being open the 
 ticket seller assisted him. The name Strathmore was 
 not found. 
 
 Entering upon a sojourn in Los Angeles, he made 
 every effort to find the Strathmores. Failing, in a 
 few days he was some miles distant from the city,, 
 on the ranch of a man named Simpson, with whom 
 he had accepted employment. He remained there 
 some time, endeavoring to secure from new acquaint- 
 ances information concerning the family he sought. 
 
 On a certain morning, accompanied by two of 
 Simpson's cowboys, he went into the mountains to 
 search for strays. Eiding busily all day long, when 
 evening approached the three were tired. Arrang- 
 ing in the woodlands for a resting-place by a spring 
 of pure water, they built a fire and prepared some 
 food. When darkness settled upon them they hud- 
 dled around the campfire and amused themselves by 
 relating stories. While this was going on, Chester 
 happened to remark: 
 
 "Wonder if those half-dozen steers branded *S' 
 without the bowie, ever belonged to a man by the 
 name of Strathmore ? ' ' 
 
 "Don't know," declared Ed, one of his com- 
 panions. "They are not Simpson's, for they don't 
 have 'S' and the hilted sticker." 
 
 "Strathmore," commented Evans, the third of the 
 
 40
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 group, "he left these diggings some time ago. He's 
 the fellow we used to call 'Getmore'." 
 
 "Why so?" requested Chester. 
 
 "Always reaching 1 out for more'n belonged to 
 him." 
 
 "Do you know where he is now?" 
 
 "At San Diego. Leastways that's what I heard 
 after he went away. ' ' 
 
 On the next day, Chester Fenton was a passenger 
 to San Diego. Having used a city directory at Los 
 Angeles, as soon as he reached his destination, he 
 examined at once the corresponding source of in- 
 formation. The name was not there. This renewed 
 failure greatly disturbed him. 
 
 "Am I never to find Dorothy?" he cried in de- 
 spair, "never?" 
 
 For days he inquired for those for whom he was 
 in search. 
 
 He had been in the city for a week or more, but 
 success had not rewarded him. One evening he 
 chanced to be in an outfitting house when he heard 
 the following words pass between two of the em- 
 ployes : 
 
 "Was them goods shipped to King Oscar today?" 
 ' ' King Oscar ? What are you giving me ? " 
 "You don't know the king of San Ysidra? You 
 are a good one ! ' ' 
 
 ' * That is correct I 'm as good as they make 'em. ' ' 
 "Then you ought to know that Oscar Strathmore 
 
 41
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 is called the king of the island of San Ysidra. He 
 gobbled the hull thing!" 
 
 "Excuse me," broke in Chester, "did you speak 
 of Oscar Strathmore ? " 
 
 The clerk turned and for a moment remained si- 
 lent. Then in a manner of apparent indifference, he 
 answered : 
 
 "I merely spoke of him." 
 
 "Will you please tell me where he lives'? I have 
 been searching for him and am glad to learn he is 
 near here." 
 
 "Not near three hundred miles or more." 
 
 ' ' Indeed ! A long distance ! ' ' 
 
 "I should say. When he went away from San 
 Diego he scouted around Mexico to purchase suit- 
 able lands that he might have a big ranch. It seems 
 he caught on an island not far from the shore. It 
 was vacant not a soul living there. Being beyond 
 the international three-mile limit, he squat on it and 
 claimed it by first occupation. Still he is said to 
 have had to settle with the Mexican government." 
 
 "It sounds like romance," admired Chester. 
 
 "Sure. He's got it stocked with cattle and sheep. 
 He doesn 't allow outsiders to come on the place. ' ' 
 
 "Off shore," commented Fenton. "Wonder how 
 you get there ! ' ' 
 
 ' ' He keeps a steam yacht. ' ' 
 
 "How often does he come to the mainland?" 
 
 "Can't say. You can find out down there." 
 
 The next morning Chester was on his way to San 
 
 42
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 Ysidra. He had secured all the information pos- 
 sible and set forth determined to learn the rest as 
 quickly as time and circumstances would permit. 
 Walking from sunrise to sunset day after day, stop- 
 ping for food and night-rest at such ranches as he 
 could find, he labored on down the coast. At length, 
 fatigued and worn out, he reached that part of the 
 shore where he thought the island of San Ysidra lay. 
 At once he endeavored to find some one to give him 
 information. Near the sea he found the adobe hovel 
 of a Mexican. 
 
 "Where is Strathmore's island!" he inquired. 
 
 The Mexican shook his head. 
 
 "San Ysidra?" again spoke Chester. 
 
 The peon repeated the words and pointed out to 
 sea. That was all the explanation he obtained. For 
 a day or two he roamed about to learn the where- 
 abouts of the island and the means of reaching it. 
 
 Late on the third morning he found an American 
 herder who was grazing a flock of sheep on Mexican 
 soil. At once he made inquiry : 
 
 "Does the island San Ysidra lie off this part of 
 
 the coast!" 
 
 "A few miles south of here. What about it!" 
 
 "I know Strathmore want to meet him." 
 
 "The king of the Lonelies! You'll find it a snug 
 
 job. If you wait until he comes ashore, you might 
 
 corner him." 
 
 "I can go there and find him, I suppose!" 
 
 43
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 1 * Maybe if you can get some one with a boat to 
 take you over." 
 
 "Is it a large island?" 
 
 "Six or eight miles square fine land above the 
 cliffs. He brings ashore a shipload or two of cattle 
 and sheep every year." 
 
 "Does hef Piles up the money." 
 
 "He's got a motor-launch keeps it in a little cov- 
 ered place in a small inlet. Come up the hill and see 
 the island. ' ' 
 
 From the summit of the height the informant 
 pointed southwest: 
 
 "See that dark spot? West about eight miles 
 south." 
 
 In the direction named, a low-lying island ap- 
 peared in full view. 
 
 ' ' There you are, ' ' exclaimed the herder. * * That 's 
 the realm of King Oscar, the Lonely." 
 
 Chester soon set out in the endeavor to reach San 
 Ysidra. Proceeding to the shoreline, he walked 
 along the beach, preferring that course to the rough- 
 er inland. It seemed to him a long distance. At 
 length he came to a spot where there were footprints 
 and a wagon trail leading from the shore. 
 
 ' ' This is the landing place, ' ' he exclaimed. 
 
 He spent the rest of the day trying to find the 
 habitation of a human being, but he failed. As night 
 approached, tired and hungry, he lay down on the 
 bare ground under the open sky. 
 
 Sleep immediately closed his eyelids and held him 
 
 44
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 fast until the morning light broke upon him. Awak- 
 ing, he rose to a sitting posture. He looked for a 
 while toward the mountains, then out upon the broad 
 ocean : 
 
 "No breakfast!" he muttered. "It's no use. I 
 must keep pegging at this scramble. Must not waste 
 more time." 
 
 Springing to his feet, he walked toward the beach. 
 
 "That's no good," he exclaimed. "Try, try, 
 again ! ' ' 
 
 Turning sharply about, he started once more on 
 an exploring expedition, going southward near the 
 sea. When he had gone some distance, he discovered 
 an old, dingy-shaped boat, drawn up a shallow creek 
 which came from the highlands and discharged into 
 the ocean. 
 
 "Wonder where I can find the owner?" he con- 
 jectured. 
 
 A search now began that lasted until noon; yet 
 not a living soul could be found. Going back to the 
 boat, he examined it. 
 
 ' ' The sea is quiet. If. there were any oars I be- 
 lieve that I could reach the island." 
 
 After a short consideration, he drew a clasp-knife 
 from his pocket and selecting a young cedar-tree, be- 
 gan to cut it down. When it had fallen, he cut off a 
 proper length and began to shave away the rounded 
 portion to make it oarlike in form. He had given 
 unremitting effort when suddenly he stood erect and 
 held the pared-away sapling at arm's length. 
 
 45
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "There it is," he cried. "I can make it send me 
 across." 
 
 Having detached the boat from its fastening, he 
 worked it down the narrow creek to the sea, using 
 his implement as a push-pole; then transferring it 
 to the stern, he converted it into a single scull. 
 
 1 * Now, Dorothy, I am coming ! ' ' 
 
 The advance, however, was slow; yet he kept 
 patiently weaving back and forth his unhandy in- 
 strument of propulsion. Hour after hour passed; 
 and for a long time San Ysidra seemed to keep its 
 distance. The sun was near the horizon when he was 
 able to see at all clearly the rocky, broken surface 
 of the island border which lay not far from him. 
 With renewed courage he worked the scull. The 
 wind began to rise from the mainland and drive him 
 forward. The water, too, was swelling into billows 
 dangerous for his crazy little craft. 
 
 "Let it whistle," he exclaimed. "I'll get there, 
 sure. ' ' 
 
 At last the breeze became what seamen call 
 "fresh," and while it sometimes tossed him violent- 
 ly, he seemed well satisfied, since it assisted his ef- 
 fort to reach San Ysidra. - The shores of the latter 
 began to loom large in the fading light of the day. 
 
 "I'll make it before dark," he muttered, "then " 
 
 He became silent. Just where or in what temper 
 he might find the residents of the isolated highland, 
 were questions he could not answer. 
 
 "Maybe luck will help me," he faltered in sup- 
 
 48
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 pressed tone, "and the Fates may let me see Doro- 
 thy." 
 
 Looking up at the forbidding rocks that rose above 
 the water, he fancied that he heard a voice. Stand- 
 ing up in his rickety shallop, he listened, scanning 
 closely the shoreline. 
 
 "There is some one on the crag," he cried. "Some- 
 body waving a signal. I am warned to go south." 
 
 "All right !" he shouted back. "I will go the way 
 you point. ' ' 
 
 The figure now stood back a little but still seemed 
 to watch the moving boat and continued to wave a 
 handkerchief toward the south. 
 
 "I thought it looked mighty slim for a landing in 
 this spot," exclaimed Chester, as he swung his cap 
 back and forth in answering recognition, while he 
 strenuously endeavored to force his refractory ves- 
 sel in the direction indicated. 
 
 A difficult task presented itself. His oar was 
 clumsy and he had to work his way against the driv- 
 ing force of the wind. 
 
 "It is going to beat me!" he cried out, as with 
 every atom of strength which the energetic work of 
 the day had left him, he cut the water to the right 
 and the left. 
 
 The figure on the rocks had moved along and was 
 then looking down on him from an advanced point. 
 
 "You can land a litle farther along," a voice called 
 so that he could just hear it. "Try to keep off the 
 rocks. ' ' 
 
 47
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 He did try tried with every ounce of force he 
 could place on his improvised oar. At last, in spite 
 of his unremitting endeavor, his boat began to beat 
 against the rock-bound cliffs. 
 
 "It's all up," he panted, using his stick as a means 
 to fend him off the precipitous headlands and to 
 work toward the south. 
 
 In this he succeded for a time ; but a moment was 
 reached when a large wave came and flung high the 
 frail bark, driving it against the immovable pali- 
 sades and completely smashing its starboard bow. 
 It fell back a wreck, bottom upwards. The youth- 
 freed himself from the debris and swam away from 
 the rocks toward the sea. 
 
 "Guess I'm done for," he intoned. 
 
 ' ' Come here, ' ' called a voice. ' ' You can climb up 
 this place." 
 
 Turning, he struck out in the direction of the call. 
 On the shore, a trench, resulting from the downpour 
 of ages, descended from the highland to the water. 
 At the base, the detritus spread in a fanlike form 
 out into the deep. Reaching the place by quick, 
 skillful effort, he escaped from the battering of the 
 waves and stood at last on the rough, broken surface 
 at the feet of the trough. 
 
 In the dim light which was fast merging into dark- 
 ness, he made his way over the accumulated sand, 
 gravel and rock-fragments, falling at times despite 
 his careful endeavor. Coming to the narrow way 
 
 43
 
 CHESTER ARDUOUSLY TRIES TO REACH DOROTHY 
 
 leading upward, he began the tedious process of 
 scrambling to the mesa. 
 
 "To the right a little to the right!" directed the 
 guide. 
 
 That it was a woman's voice now became evident 
 to Chester. Looking up, he called back: 
 
 "Thank you. I will." 
 
 It was a hard task. Sloping portions were fre- 
 quently met by abrupt or even perpendicular drops 
 which in times of rainfall caused miniature cata- 
 racts. Bruised and sore, at length he drew himself 
 out upon the even surface at the mouth of the ascent. 
 
 49
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FENTON AGREES TO BE A CUBAN SOLDIER. 
 
 When Chester had risen to his feet, he gazed at 
 the fair girl who stood before him: 
 
 * * Dorothy ! ' ' he exclaimed. * * Oh, Dorothy ! ' ' 
 In surprise, the maid retreated a step or two. 
 "Who? I cannot say who you are," she hesi- 
 tated. 
 
 "I am Chester Fenton. I met you a long time ago 
 at the Bierwirth Opera House, Nempton and ever 
 since I have longed to see you. ' ' 
 
 "0-h-h!" she thrilled. "Now I know. I have 
 often wondered what became of you." 
 
 "I, too, have wondered where you were and wished 
 that I might meet you again and well, I have tried 
 and tried to learn of your whereabouts always 
 meeting failure until now." 
 
 "Indeed! Then you did sometimes remember 
 me." 
 
 * * Remember ! I never forgot for a day for a min- 
 ute and at last," he continued, his voice quivering, 
 "at last I find you." 
 
 "Pardon me," replied Dorothy, recovering her- 
 self. "You are drenched with the sea. Let us go 
 
 50
 
 FENTON AGREES TO BE A CUBAN SOLDIER 
 
 home to see my mother. You must have dry cloth- 
 ing." 
 
 Going houseward, for a while, they walked along 
 narrow paths through forest-growth. Occasionally 
 they spoke of the past; for being strongly excited, 
 Chester's dripping and fatigued condition counted 
 for naught. 
 
 Passing from the woodlands, they entered a palm 
 grove, in the midst of which stood a large residence 
 built of hewn logs. 
 
 "This is our home," she began, a sweet smile 
 beaming from her features. ' * We have lived here for 
 two years. I often walk out on the seashore. I saw 
 you a long time before you reached the island." 
 
 ' * Did you ? If I had known it I would have worked 
 harder than I did while in the boat. ' ' 
 
 When they arrived at the house, Dorothy led him 
 through the passageway into a large, airy apart- 
 ment: 
 
 "Sit here, Mr. Fenton, while I find mama." 
 
 "Thank you," replied Chester, taking the prof- 
 fered chair. 
 
 The girl hastened away in search of her parent. 
 Soon she reappeared, followed by Mrs. Strathmore. 
 
 "Here he is, mama. He was rowing on the east 
 side when a wave threw his boat against the rocks 
 and smashed it." 
 
 "Indeed! And why were you in a boat so far 
 from the mainland?" 
 
 "Why I was coming " 
 
 51
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 He stopped; a suitable explanation was not clear 
 to his understanding. 
 
 "Coming? For what purpose, sir?" 
 
 "It seems, mama, that he was connected with the 
 opera house at Nempton when we were there. Late- 
 ly he learned that we lived on San Ysidra, so he ven- 
 tured to come over. ' ' 
 
 "Is that it?" remarked the lady, surprise mani- 
 festing itself in every utterance. 
 
 For a moment irresolute, she presently spoke : "I 
 will see Stephen. He is about this young man 's size 
 and has some extra clothing. ' ' 
 
 Chester was then eighteen years of age. 
 
 It was but a short time before Mrs. Strathmore 
 obtained suitable garments ; and the young man was 
 at once arrayed in a suit of dry clothes belonging 
 to Stephen Chance, an employe of the island ranch. 
 
 After this change had been effected, he was con- 
 ducted to the dining room where the lady introduced 
 him to Mr. Strathmore, a tall gentleman of athletic 
 build. Some explanation had been given to him con- 
 cerning his presence on San Ysidra. Nevertheless, 
 he regarded Chester in a manner not pleasant, eye- 
 ing every detail of his person so closely as to render 
 the inspection discomforting. 
 
 "Let me see, Mr. - 
 
 "Fenton," reminded Mrs. Strathmore. 
 
 "Yes, Fenton Chester Fenton. From where do 
 you hail ? " he inquired. 
 
 "I stopped at San Diego in the city a few days." 
 
 52
 
 FENTON AGREES TO BE A CUBAN SOLDIER 
 
 * * San Diego ? Did you meet Chief Nettles T ' ' 
 " Chief Nettles?" 
 
 ' ' Head of the police department. ' ' 
 
 ' ' No, sir, ' ' returned the young man, drawing back 
 a step or two, evidently disconcerted by the course 
 of the conversation. 
 
 The questioner turned away, setting the easy 
 chair, from which he had arisen, up to the table. 
 
 "He's a great fellow to get his eye on strangers," 
 affirmed Strathmore. "Sit there?" he added, point- 
 ing to a chair placed on the opposite side of the din- 
 ing board. 
 
 Chester took the seat to which he was directed; 
 but the train of conversation had been of such a 
 nature that although this was his first meal during 
 the day, he ate but little. Strathmore pushed many 
 articles towards him; yet they remained untouched. 
 
 "Eat, young man, eat," urged the chief of the 
 island. "You can't keep up the activity of your or- 
 ganism unless you provide fuel." 
 
 "I have had sufficient," assured Fenton. 
 
 "Huh!" intoned the other, " a pittance you 
 mean." 
 
 On the next morning, Dorothy whispered to him : 
 
 * * Come, and I will show you some of the beautiful 
 things that surround our home. ' ' 
 
 With pleasure beaming on every line of his coun- 
 tenance, he followed. The girl first conducted him 
 among the rare shrubs and flowers whose planting 
 
 53
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 and sowing had been arranged by a landscape gar- 
 dener from San Francisco. 
 
 "It is all beautiful," he exclaimed. "A lovely 
 place to live." 
 
 "Yes," assented the girl. "Yet I cannot say that 
 I have been so happy as I was before I came here. 
 It has seemed lonesome," she added, resting her 
 eyes on Chester, causing his heart to tingle with 
 emotion. 
 
 "Of course," he softly articulated, "I, too, have 
 been lonesome except for one thing," he averred, 
 seizing her hand. "That one thing, Dorothy, has 
 been you. Wherever I have been, your dear face 
 has cheered me has kept me from grim shadows 
 by the remembrance of its smiles." 
 
 "This is very pleasant to hear but how am I to 
 know about it f " 
 
 "Dorothy," he exclaimed, with rising ardor, "you 
 have been all there is on earth for me I have never 
 thought of any other." 
 
 "No one else?" 
 "None and for a long time I have sought you." 
 
 "You wanted to find me?" 
 
 "You and you alone. Existence had no enchant- 
 ment for me save as it was associated with you. ' ' 
 
 "It is long since I saw you." 
 
 "Because I did not know where to find you. Let 
 the risk I ran yesterday bear me witness." 
 
 "And it will surely will," she assured, extend- 
 ing her hand. 
 
 54
 
 FENTON AGREES TO BE A CUBAN SOLDIER 
 
 Ardently he grasped it, raising the delicately 
 molded member to his lips, pressing them upon it. 
 
 "You have thought of me," she murmured, let- 
 ting her fingers close gently upon his own. 
 
 "Thought of you always, Dorothy. Dear Doro- 
 thy," he cried, impulsively putting his arm about 
 her waist, "you have been my light, my inspiration 
 night and day." 
 
 "Do you love me?" she whispered. 
 
 "So much, Dorothy my Dorothy, life is worth 
 nothing to me unless I can share it with you. ' ' 
 
 She held up a sweet little mouth and placing a 
 hand on his shoulder, looked upon him with a degree 
 of tenderness of which she alone was capable. Ches- 
 ter was well-night beside himself with rapture, and 
 he kissed her again and again, she making shy re- 
 sponse. 
 
 Of the transport of the hour, the pen cannot ade- 
 quately speak. When the young people came home 
 at noontide, their faces bore a charm of unspeakable 
 happiness; indeed, Chester's eyes glowed with a 
 light so full of bliss that the mother could not fail 
 to notice it. She saw, but was silent. What the fa- 
 ther thought was veiled with a medley of remarks 
 on various subjects, and if the young man had been 
 disposed to attempt an analysis of Strathmore's 
 silent cogitations, he would have utterly failed. 
 
 "Been taking in the island?" lightly spoke the 
 father. 
 
 55
 
 5 H A C KI_Z S 
 
 "Yes," replied the youth, his face aglow. "It's 
 afl so beautiful." 
 
 Two or three days of enchantment followed. Ches- 
 ter dwelt in a realm of bliss; everything with which 
 he came in contact was golden, every hour breathed 
 charm. On the fourth morning, Strathmore called 
 to him: 
 
 "Fenton, step this way." 
 
 He obeyed. King Oscar led him to a seat beneath 
 a spreading mesquite tree. 
 
 "Young man," he began. "I see what's going 
 on. So far as I know, I have no objection to your 
 out my daughter. Dorothy, for the purpose 
 
 of mating love to her. God Almighty arranged 
 those things and marriage is only a carrying out 
 of his plans. But you are both too young for com- 
 pleting such arrangements." 
 
 "I - " began Chester. 
 
 The speaker held up his hand and went on: 
 
 "When I pass into the realm of the unknown, 
 Dorothy will have this island of San Ysidra. There's 
 plenty of work here for you to engage in now, but 
 that would not do. You must go off and do some- 
 thing; then come back, talk of marriage, and yon 
 shall be taken care of . See?" 
 
 "Yes," slowly replied Chester, speaking with ap- 
 parent difficulty, "of course, I know that I must 
 make myself worthy of Dorothy - ' ' 
 
 "That's well said," declared the elder, "well 
 said."
 
 FEXTOX AGREES TO BE A CUBAN SOLDIER 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Strathmore; but I love her very much. 
 You 11 let me have her, will you notf " 
 
 "Just as I have talked. After awhile you may 
 claim her." 
 
 "Very well, Mr. Strathmore. First I will accomp- 
 lish something." 
 
 "That 'sail right Both should be older." 
 
 For a moment the young man bent his eyes upon 
 the ground, then raising them, he began to speak 
 again: 
 
 "After the Maine was blown up by the Spaniards, 
 there was much talk of war. Congress made a large 
 appropriation for the national defense." 
 
 " Well what of itf " 
 
 "Just before I came here the rumors that a con- 
 flict with Spain was at hand, had so increased that 
 it seemed inevitable." 
 
 "That is true in a measure." 
 
 "Suppose it happens; will you be satisfied if I go 
 to the front and earn some standing for myself?" 
 
 "War! Why if you go and show that you have 
 got sand carry yourself as a man should, you may 
 come back and have my consent to go ahead." 
 
 "Thank you, sir," panted Chester, grasping the 
 great hand of the King of the Lonelies. "I will 
 t-arn it, I pledge you." 
 
 This afternoon," continued Strathmore, "I will 
 take yon across to the mainland. Then you can 
 make your start." 
 
 Xot long afterwards the young man was with 
 
 n
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Dorothy in the arbor, where he had announced his 
 love. The whole field of discussion with Mr. Strath- 
 more was gone over and the plans of Chester were 
 added : 
 
 "What do you think of it, Dorothy dear!" the 
 youth asked. 
 
 Tears were on the girl's cheeks and she faltered: 
 
 "I don't know. I hope it is for the best but sup- 
 pose you are killed?" 
 
 As the last words passed her lips she burst into 
 convulsive sobbing. 
 
 "Dear, Dorothy," breathed Chester, clasping the 
 girl to his heart. "Sweet, sweet, Dorothy, I shall 
 come back." 
 
 The fair young being nestled closely to his bosom. 
 
 "Dorothy, dear, best of all, I will win a name for 
 you, I will, dear one." 
 
 The record will draw a veil over the parting scene, 
 yet it was full of tender, winning pathos to those 
 hearts which were beating in gentle, sympathetic 
 harmony. 
 
 That afternoon Strathmore took Chester to the 
 landing place. 
 
 "Good-by, Mr. Strathmore. Writing to you, I 
 will explain my efforts. ' ' 
 
 * ' All right. I shall expect you to keep me posted. ' ' 
 
 58
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ROUGH RIDER UNDER COL. ROOSEVELT. 
 
 On landing, Chester went as quickly as possible 
 to San Diego. This was a wearisome journey; for 
 he walked so persistently that he well-nigh made 
 himself lame. When he had mastered the distance, 
 he inquired of a person he met concerning the status 
 of the threatened war with Spain. 
 
 "She's on," declared the man questioned. 
 
 1 * Is that so 1 The war has actualy begun ? ' ' 
 
 "The declaration was made the day before yes- 
 terday and there's a rush all around of fellows 
 who want to fight." 
 
 Hurrying into San Diego he sought further infor- 
 mation. From anxious inquiry and writing, he 
 learned that three regiments of cavalry, composed 
 of expert riders and marksmen of the west, were to 
 be organized. The First United States Volunteer 
 Cavalry was to be taken charge of by Leonard Wood 
 and Theodore Roosevelt. The mustering places of 
 the regiment were appointed in New Mexico, Ari- 
 zona, Oklahoma and Indiaq Territory. Yet to ob- 
 tain recruits in the region surrounding Los Ange- 
 les, a man of ability had opened an office in that ctiy. 
 
 He hastened at once to Los Angeles and asked 
 
 59
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 to be enrolled as a member of the First United 
 States Volunteer Cavalry. 
 
 ' l No one is accepted unless he is fully competent, ' J 
 replied the recruiter. 
 
 ' ' State what you mean. ' ' 
 
 "He must be able to score on a man's head with 
 a thirty-eight revolver at fifty yards, or a rifle at 
 eight hundred and he must be capable to keep his 
 seat on a bronco that's up to tricks regular cross- 
 tote and must be physically qualified. ' ' 
 
 "I can do all you say," asserted Chetser, "and 
 I am bodily able. ' ' 
 
 1 ' Very well. Tomorrow morning you will be given 
 a chance with some others to prove it." 
 
 "All right. Come here?" 
 
 "Yes; we'll then go out to the select spot." 
 
 Early on the following day, Chester was upon the 
 trial grounds. He was handed a thirty-eight revol- 
 ver with loaded chambers. After posting him at 
 fifty yards from the target, the master of ceremonies 
 called out : 
 
 "Ready!" 
 
 Then followed the test. At count "two" the per- 
 son on trial was allowed to drop his weapon and take 
 sight at the target; to fire when the word "three" 
 was called. In pistol practice, Chester had unusual 
 power. He never sighted along his firearm, but sim- 
 ply dropped it and took an intuitive and instantan- 
 eous aim; yet it failed not to surpass that of many 
 who took careful sightings. 
 
 60
 
 ROUGH RIDER UNDER COL. ROOSEVELT 
 
 The count for the test began : ' * one two three. ' ' 
 
 With the last word, Fenton fired ; piercing the tar- 
 get at the edge of the bulls-eye. 
 
 There was a clapping of hands from several of 
 those who were looking on. The counting proceeded 
 for the remaining five shots. The record showed one 
 center and the others circling a diameter of four 
 inches. The rifle test resulted in a record of equal 
 superiority. 
 
 * ' Well done ! " set forth the trial master. 
 
 In horsemanship the youth also proved himself 
 to be an expert. When all was over, the recruiting 
 agent turned to him and declared : 
 
 "You are accepted as A, number one at this end 
 of the line. You'll pass your physical examination 
 at the regimental rendevouz. ' ' 
 
 In the course of a few days, the man in charge of 
 the recruits called them together. 
 
 "Well, boys," he announced, "the Volunteer First 
 is ordered to gather at San Antonio, Texas. So 
 get ready for a start tomorrow morning. ' ' 
 
 A rousing cheer was the response. 
 
 "Do we meet our bosses when we git thar?" de- 
 manded a cowboy; who standing six feet in height, 
 was topped with a tall-crowned Mexican sombrero, 
 while in his hands he carried a rifle which was sup- 
 plemented by a six-shooter in a case attached to his 
 belt. 
 
 "You will. Leonard Wood and Theodore Roose- 
 velt will be there as soon as you are." 
 
 61
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Bully!" cheered the inquirer. "We are crazy 
 to meet Roosevelt ! ' ' 
 
 "I should say so. Lieutenant Colonel Eoosevelt 
 is one of the best men on earth. He watches care- 
 fully for everything that is right. He has been an 
 excellent Assistant Secretary of the Navy. With 
 great energy he has done much to prepare the navy 
 for war has secured coaling ships and transports 
 has put the warships into active practice for skill- 
 ful maneuvering and gunnery." 
 
 "Good and now he's going down to the war front 
 himself ! ' ' 
 
 "To serve his country and help Cuba to set it 
 free to carry out the righteous doctrine he has 
 preached for years. That's the boss you've got!" 
 
 "JHow splendid!" chimed Chester Fenton. 
 
 "Well, I reckon," supplemented the cowboy. 
 "Let's all of us give three times three hurrahs!" 
 
 The shouts of applause rang through the office 
 and out upon the street. Many residents of the city 
 came running in, being delighted when told the 
 cause. The chatting which followed was free and 
 praiseworthy. 
 
 "Roosevelt is the foremost type of American cit- 
 izenship," exclaimed one of the incomers, "distin- 
 guished for honesty, courage and ability. Willing 
 to give up his life to elevate the people and delight- 
 fully advance their interests." 
 
 "Joy and no mistake!" jubilated the cowboy. 
 
 62
 
 ROUGH RIDER UNDER COL. ROOSEVELT 
 
 "Yes. Shan't I be happy to be with him," hailed 
 another recruit. 
 
 On the morrow, the sixth day of May, the recruits 
 assembled at Los Angeles to set out for San An- 
 tonio, Texas, to join the regiment. 
 
 When the entire command reached that rendevouz, 
 it was found that the supplies from Washington had 
 not arrived. Consequently, the Volunteer First was 
 without tents, food, clothing and arms. Roosevelt 
 was very active and made energetic efforts to se- 
 cure comfort for the men. The old Exposition build- 
 ing was obtained for use as quarters, while he pro- 
 cured blankets and food, abundantly supplying the 
 troopers. 
 
 "The camp moves like a boss roundup," rapped 
 out a ranchman from Socorro, New Mexico. 
 
 "Our commander, Roosevelt," approved Fenton, 
 "is a wonderfully good man." 
 
 "He's a grand patriot," affirmed Steve Willis, 
 from Arizona. 
 
 "Bet your last blue on it," responded a comrade. 
 
 "I'll slap down a stack of reds," declared the 
 New Mexican. 
 
 Contentment reigned and the soldiers busied 
 themselves to make the camp resonant with the fun 
 characteristic of cowboy gatherings in the great, un- 
 trammeled west. 
 
 The Rough Riders, as everybody now began to 
 name them, comprised men of wide difference in 
 ability and financial standing. Yet all were brave, 
 
 ' 63
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 having spirits most adventurous and intrepid. Theo- 
 dore Koosevelt had secured for them Krag-Jorgen- 
 sen rifles, superior to all others, and instead of the 
 sabers, first-class revolvers, for these two weapons 
 were of their natural use. 
 
 All the regimental members enjoyed San Antonio 
 because of its attractiveness and still further, be- 
 cause of cordial fraternity from the citizens. The 
 hygienic provisions and police requirements of the 
 camp were excellent. The drill of the troops in all 
 conditions of close and open order, skirmishing and 
 firing, were vigorously pursued every day. 
 
 "Is not Roosevelt a perfect leader?" beamed 
 Hamilton Fish to a party of non-commissioned offi- 
 cers who were taking up military instruction in an 
 evening school. 
 
 "Well he is," affirmed another. "He has organ- 
 ized the Bough Eiders in fine form, is guiding and 
 instructing them to become the most picturesque 
 and capable soldiers in the volunteer army. ' ' 
 
 "True," assured Captain Allyn Capron who 
 heard the conversation. "Theodore Eoosevelt re- 
 signed a high position in Washington to raise this 
 regiment and to offer his own life for his beloved 
 country. ' ' 
 
 In addition to non-commissioned instruction, 
 there was an officers ' school every night for the pur- 
 pose of developing a high standard of miltarism. 
 
 Chester Fenton had been made a sergeant and 
 was resolutely performing his whole duty and do- 
 
 64
 
 ROUGH RIDER UNDER COL. ROOSEVELT 
 
 ing all things possible to make himself a good and 
 serviceable soldier. 
 
 Day after day Koosevelt sent letters and tele- 
 grams to the War Department and the President 
 endeavoring to have the regiment sent to the front 
 as speedily as possible. 
 
 Although it was warm weather, the earth having 
 a dry and dusty surface, work was continued day 
 and night to bring the regiment into proper knowl- 
 edge and soldierly form. Roosevelt was most ac- 
 tive, yet conducted himself very kindly towards all 
 his men. At night, with nothing more than poncho 
 and blankets, he slept among them in a common shel- 
 ter tent. 
 
 On the third Sunday in camp, the regiment as- 
 sembled for religious services. All the Riders con- 
 ducted themselves admirably. Chester Fenton led 
 a squad of singers. As he had a rich baritone voice, 
 he sang the beginning of each stanza of the hymn 
 "Onward Christian Soldiers," as a solo, all taking 
 part in the chorus. 
 
 "That was so well and so sympathetically ren- 
 dered that it deeply affected many of the hearers," 
 declared Roosevelt to the chaplain, near whom he 
 was sitting. 
 
 The chaplain bowed his head in reply. 
 
 "My dear men," enthused the Lieutenant Colonel, 
 as he walked in front of them. "God bless you all." 
 
 Before the breaking up of camp preparatory to 
 going to Tampa, the following incident occurred: 
 
 65
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 A short time before dress parade, by a chance un- 
 explained, Theodore Roosevelt's high spirited horse 
 had bounded away from its attendant. Dashing 
 over the ground from left to right, then back toward 
 the starting point, it arrested the attention of the 
 whole camp; moreover, the cavalry horses on every 
 side pulled hard on their restraining straps in an 
 effort to join the runaway. 
 
 Chester with his mount ready for parade, was in 
 front of his tent. Instantly he remembered that 
 a lariat was hanging from the central pole. Slip- 
 ping from his horse, he reached inside and grasped 
 it. Throwing it over the pommel of his saddle, with 
 a single leap from the ground he reached his seat 
 and galloped at top speed toward the line of the 
 flight of Koosevelt's charger. 
 
 ' * The sergeant will get him, ' ' assured a tent mate. 
 
 "He's a dandy with the lasso!" supplemented an- 
 other. 
 
 As Chester rode, maintaing a magnificent seat, he 
 lightly used his knees to guide the animal which bore 
 him, while he employed his hands in the adjustment 
 of the leathern rope. 
 
 "Say, that khaki and the white chevrons show up 
 good," commented Joe Wilson, a soldier in Fenton's 
 troop. "I'm glad he was made a sergeant." 
 
 "I should grin?" confirmed a comrade. 
 
 "Sure or have a jolly laugh!" 
 
 Fenton had sped on in a direction at an appro- 
 priate angle. When at a suitable distance, he cast 
 
 66
 
 ROUGH RIDER UNDER COL. ROOSEVELT 
 
 the lariat with unerring aim, securing the animal 
 around the base of the neck. Handling his own 
 horse with skill, he caused the other to fall, so that 
 pursuing cavalrymen came up and took possession 
 of him. 
 
 "Well done," tendered Eoosevelt, shaking hands 
 with Chester. 
 
 67
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE ROUGH EIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 On May the twenty-ninth, the Routh Riders were 
 ordered by wire to proceed by railway from San 
 Antonio to Tampa. The regiment, with its horses, 
 filled seven trains. Through all the night, Theo- 
 dore Roosevelt, with assistant officers and troopers, 
 was busy arranging to carry away the baggage 
 and horses of the regiment and to place in order the 
 troops on the several trains. All, however, were 
 compelled to wait until the following morning; for 
 it was after sunrise when the passenger cars came 
 to receive them. 
 
 "Shoot!" cried one of the men at midnight, 
 springing up from the edge of the platform where 
 he had taken a seat. 'The planks are covered with 
 melted pitch. They like to have gobbled my hang- 
 ings. ' ' 
 
 "Reckon we'll have to stand it," returned his file 
 mate. 
 
 ' ' You are level ! We can 't sit on it. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Oh, but Roosevelt is splendid ! He 's doing every- 
 thing for us getting us dandy coffee and fine food." 
 
 "Why, he's worth everything to us. He's ahead 
 of everybody in the country." 
 
 63
 
 THE ROUGH RIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 As explained, the troopers were at the station all 
 night, lying on the hard platform or the more dan- 
 gerous damp ground. Yet not a complaint arose. 
 Every member of the regiment was full of cheer, 
 while the laugh and joke continued to abound. 
 
 More stoppages and trouble occurred during the 
 transit; yet there were many pleasant incidents. 
 Crowds of people cheered and gave warm welcomes 
 to the men of the command at the stations of all the 
 cities and towns through which they passed. It was 
 not uncommon for a troop of pretty girls in white 
 to salute them with voice and handkerchief and then 
 to presnt them with beautiful bouquets. 
 
 After the passing of days, they arrived at their 
 destination, the Concentration Camp at Tampa. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt selected the camp- 
 ing site not far from Tampa Bay. Under his super- 
 vision, the men of the command laid out the grounds 
 and raised their canvas habitations. The streets be- 
 tween the tents were made smooth and clean. For 
 a few days vigorous work to enlarge and make 
 strong the military skill of the Rough Riders was 
 energetically continued. 
 
 The tent of Roosevelt had been pitched on an emi- 
 nence overlooking the bay. The fly had been drawn 
 forward to shade the entrance from the sun. The 
 commander happened to be sitting there during the 
 noon hour. The sounds of running feet mingled 
 with boistrous shouts were heard. Sam Severs and 
 Jack Clother dashed around the corner of the tent. 
 
 69
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 The former, catching his foot in one of the guy- 
 ropes, went spinning head over heels, alighting a 
 few feet distant from the front of the fly. Not hurt 
 by the fall, he turned an extra somersault or two, 
 finishing with a handspring that brought him stand- 
 ing before Roosevelt. Straight as an arrow, he sa- 
 luted with military precision: 
 
 ''Welcome, charming sunny Colonel, welcome!" 
 
 "Eight side up with care!" laughed Clother. 
 
 "If you please," cried private Sam, waving the 
 other aside, "we are told that the Spanish fleet is 
 corked up in the harbor of Santiago. We ran over 
 to see if it is true." 
 
 "True, Sam. The crack fleet of Spain is in the 
 port at Santiago." 
 
 "And our ships are waiting to give them hail Co- 
 lumbia!" breathlessly injected Jack. "Is it so, 
 Colonel?" 
 
 "The 'Flying Squadron' under Schley lies out- 
 side to give battle should the Spanish ships attempt 
 to escape. The fleet of Sampson is not far off, in- 
 deed, it is hastening with all speed to Santiago. ' ' 
 
 "Saints!" exclaimed Clother. "The Dons are in 
 for it, sure. ' ' 
 
 "Shall we go to help the blue jacekts?" asked 
 Severs. 
 
 * ' Quite likely. Orders to move are expected. ' ' 
 "Whoop-la-lu! Let's go and tell the boys," he 
 chirruped. 
 
 With a spring he cleared the rope over which a 
 
 70
 
 THE ROUGH RIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 minute before he had fallen. Followed by his com- 
 panion, he ran back to the line of tents where his 
 comrades were waiting for the news. 
 
 A few days afterward, specific orders from Wash- 
 ington directed the troops to make ready for em- 
 barkation. During the morning Johnny Upswich, 
 a young lad working for the captain of Chester's 
 troop, walked proudly along the line of tents. The 
 men were busily at work preparing to move. The 
 boy happened to pass the canvas abode of Sergeant 
 Fenton. 
 
 ''Hello, soldier!" cried the latter, playfully seiz- 
 ing the boy by the shoulders. "Going along?" 
 
 "You bet!" 
 
 "As the captain's servant!" 
 
 ' * That is what he told me said, too, that I might 
 help you about the rations when you needed me. ' ' 
 
 "That's all right, Johnny. Glad you're going. 
 You're just the stuff!" 
 
 The lad went away. Softly whispering, he af- 
 firmed: 
 
 "If Sergeant Fenton falls sick or anything hap- 
 pens to him, he'll be taken care of. He's good to 
 me I won't forget." 
 
 By the time a sufficient transport service had been 
 collected, some days had slipped away. During that 
 time Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, with constant 
 effort, endeavored to find what vessel was assigned 
 to the First Volunteer Cavalry. It was with great 
 difficulty that he obtained the statement. At last 
 
 71
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 when he was told that his regiment must take the 
 transport Yucatan, he hurried back to his men. They 
 were all anxiously waiting. It was nine miles from 
 the Eiders' camp to the pier where the Yucatan 
 would be moored. As Roosevelt had learned that 
 some other troops were also directed to embark on 
 the same vessel, he secured a train of empty coal 
 cars to take his men quickly down to the wharf that 
 he might at once get them aboard. By this arrange- 
 ment, leaving their baggage behind, he gained pos- 
 session of the Yucatan for the Rough Riders before 
 other regiments got to the landing. 
 
 General Shafter had received imperative orders 
 for the transports to sail. In three days the ships 
 having the troops on board were ready to depart 
 several, indeed, had weighed anchor and reached the 
 lower bay. Then quite unexpectedly, by a dispatch 
 from the War Department, sailing orders were re- 
 voked. A Spanish man-of-war had been reported 
 in dangerous proximity to Key West; so it was de- 
 cided that the vessels should be held for further in- 
 structions. 
 
 A few days later and the story of a fleet of the 
 enemy being north of Cuba was shown to be a myth. 
 Orders were therefore renewed for the transport 
 fleet to set sail. 
 
 "Well, my comrades," welcomed Roosevlt to the 
 crowded troopers on the deck, "our waiting trouble 
 is over and we shall speed to the place where we are 
 to meet the Spaniards." 
 
 72
 
 THE ROUGH RIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 1 'That's tiptop, Colonel. Please tell us where 
 we're going." 
 
 1 'General Shafter has a sealed order. The date 
 for him to open it has not yet come." 
 
 ' ' Oh, that 'a it ! Well, we '11 find out after awhile. ' ' 
 
 "Now we go!" jubilated Fenton, standing among 
 friendly troopers. 
 
 "I'm awful glad, Sergeant," returned one of the 
 men. 
 
 "Rah, for Cuba!" bawled Severs, waving his hat 
 as the Yucatan, on whose deck he stood, passed an- 
 other craft well laden with soldiers. 
 
 This brought an echoing shout from those saluted, 
 which, being taken up by the troops and sailors of 
 vessels, became a commingling roar. 
 
 The Yucatan was overladen. Sleeping berths had 
 been provided for seven hundred and fifty soldiers ; 
 but there had been ten hundred and sixty crowded 
 aboard. A waggish Rough Rider, overruning with 
 humor, prepared and hung over the bulwarks the 
 sign, "Standing room only!" A comrade to whom 
 it was shown tacked on below it the words: "And. 
 a durned little bit!" 
 
 The steamships comprising the transport fleet 
 sailed in three long lines, with the convoy of war- 
 ships keeping guard on all sides. After passing out 
 of Tampa Bay, the general direction was southward. 
 This course was held until Key West had been left 
 far on the larboard quarter. Then the ships gradu- 
 ally swung eastward and entered the Florida Strait. 
 
 73
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Some of the vessels were old and very slow, and 
 they set the speed of the fleet so that it moved along 
 about eight knots an hour. Yet passing over the 
 beautiful sea, glowing in the daytime with blue 
 transparency and in the night reflecting the starlit 
 sky, much pleasure was afforded the regiment. 
 
 Beaching the sea north of Cuba, the troops ad- 
 mired the picturesque land along the shores and the 
 mountain heights rising inland. 
 
 "Havana it is!" shouted the men on one of the 
 vessels to those on another. 
 
 "Havana, Havana!" echoed from craft to craft. 
 
 ' ' Let her clip ! ' ' was the return cry. * ' The Dons 
 will have to make good for the Maine ! ' ' 
 
 During the night the expedition was sailing past 
 Havana. Searchlights from Morro Castle flashed 
 seaward, revealing the ships. Drums and bugles 
 sounded. The Spaniards rapidly manned their forti- 
 fications and numerous pieces of heavy ordnance 
 blazed and boomed over the sea. But as the Ameri- 
 can Armada swept onward, no mischief happened to 
 a single vessel. Discussion as to the army's des- 
 tination now became rife among the troopers; in- 
 deed, as each fortified place was approached, it ac- 
 corded the chief topic in their lively argument. 
 
 When the fleet was off Cape Maisi, the search- 
 lights of the men-of-war comprising the convoy, 
 flashed in every direction. A torpedo boat unex- 
 pectedly appeared near the transports. A battle- 
 ship threw the blaze of its forward searcher upon 
 
 7t
 
 THE ROUGH RIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 it. The sailing master who stood at the bow shouted 
 to the captain on the bridge: 
 
 'It's the Porter!" 
 
 "Give hail," returned the latter. 
 
 "Are you the Porter?" roared a boatswain. 
 
 "Yes!" came back muffled from the fiercely chug- 
 ging craft. 
 
 But it was noticeable that the answering boat 
 veered aport and began to slip away. Soon after it 
 became known that it was a Spanish torpedo boat 
 from Maisi; and although it might have done mis- 
 chief, it slunk back to port without revealing its 
 identity. 
 
 On the following day the broad column of vessels 
 changed course to sail around the eastern end of 
 Cuba. At once there succeeded a general impres- 
 sion that the former capital city of the island was 
 the objective. 
 
 "Is it Santiago?" asked Sergeant Fenton of a 
 lieutenant who with himself was admiring the ship- 
 covered sea by which they were environed. 
 
 Thirty-four transports, several colliers and sup- 
 ply ships, with fourteen vessels of war serving as a 
 convoy, composed the fleet. 
 
 * ' Can 't say. General Shaf ter knows but he keeps 
 mum. ' ' 
 
 Later on, Guantanamo was sighted. At this place, 
 two men-of-war from the blockading battalia of San- 
 tiago, were seen sailing into the port.
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "What are they doing, Colonel Roosevelt?" asked 
 a trooper. 
 
 "Going to take on coal, I understand." 
 
 The transport expedition continued its course un- 
 til it came near the coast east of Santiago. The 
 North Atlantic fleet and the Flying Squadron now 
 came into view. These powerful naval forces were 
 guarding the entrance to the harbor in which the 
 Spanish warships under Admiral Cervera were 
 "bottled up." As the vessels carrying the military 
 forces came within hail of the watchdogs, the sol- 
 diers set up a loud shout. This was soon followed 
 by a prolonged cheering from the men and the bands 
 of both fleets. 
 
 "Rah, rah, rah!" blared Tom White, a frontiers- 
 man of the Rough Riders. 
 
 ' l Keep the Dons corked ! ' ' yelled Jack Clother, to 
 the blue jackets of the battleship Texas, which lay 
 off the starboard bow. 
 
 ' ' Or turn 'em over to Davy Jones ! ' ' came a shout 
 in reply. 
 
 1 i The fleet of Sampson and Schley is fine, is it not, 
 Colonel Roosevelt?" exclaimed Fenton. 
 
 ' ' They are powerful, and if they catch the Spanish 
 warships, I have no doubt they will establish a re- 
 markable conflict." 
 
 As General Shafter had been directed to com- 
 municate with Admiral Sampson before landing his 
 troops, the transport fleet delayed its course until 
 after the conference had been held. Then the ves- 
 
 76
 
 THE ROUGH RIDERS PROCEED TO CUBA. 
 
 sels conveying the troops, with their convoy, sailed 
 to Daiquiri, a few miles east of Santiago. At this 
 place, to clear the vicinity of any lurking forces of 
 the enemy, the cruisers swung in near to the shore 
 and vigorously shelled the woods and the heights 
 that lay inland. This done, with the aid of a flotilla 
 of small craft, the troops began to disembark. By 
 the time evening had enclosed the scene, six thou- 
 sand soldiers were on shore. 
 
 The Rough Riders they were required to act as 
 infantry, for their fine horses had not been brought 
 to Cuba marched a short distance up the beach. 
 Turning toward the rising upland, they halted in a 
 pretty spot lying between hills near the Daiquiri 
 river. Since they had their half-shelter tents with 
 them, they went into camp. 
 
 Colonel Roosevelt paid great attention to the men. 
 He made active effort to obtain them food, because 
 on that day provisions had not been landed in any 
 required quantity. He also assisted them to adjust 
 their canvas in the best positions. To secure proper 
 protection, a well regulated regimental guard was 
 established. In addition to that, safety was in- 
 creased by pickets and advance detachments posted 
 by General Lawton. 
 
 After a limited supper, the Rough Riders sat and 
 lounged on the ground in chosen places of the camp- 
 site. There was much discussion of what they be- 
 lieved to be the impending conflict. 
 
 77
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "On to Santiago ! ' ' echoed back and forth among 
 them. 
 
 * ' Have to wait for the rest, ' ' muffled Tom White. 
 
 "How many got ashore to-day, Colonel Roose- 
 velt?" asked Sam Clother. 
 
 "Six thousand eight thousand still on board 
 with all the baggage, the siege and field ordnance, 
 ammunition and provisions," replied the command- 
 er. 
 
 78
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 ROOSEVELT BRAVELY LEADS AT LAS GUASIMAS. 
 
 On the afternoon of the following day, General 
 Wheeler's brigade, which included Roosevelt's regi- 
 ment, received orders to move forward. The Rough 
 Riders began their march at four o'clock and did 
 not halt until eight in the evening. 
 
 General Joseph Wheeler was a famous type of the 
 southern military gentlemen, a soldier of great cour- 
 age and ability. 
 
 The direction was toward Siboney, over a rocky, 
 rough country, the brushwood, trees and vines form- 
 ing a jungle-growth. The course lay along cowpaths 
 or trails in lieu of roads. During the morning hours 
 a heavy rain had fallen, and now, as the sun burst 
 forth through the clouds, its fierce rays made the 
 air quiver with heat. 
 
 "Wheugh! But it's a roast!" cried one suffering 
 trooper to another. 
 
 "I should remark! Reckon Old Horn is stirring 
 up the fire!" 
 
 A great number of the men were clad in winter 
 garments, so they suffered untold tortures. When- 
 ever a drinking-place was reached, which occurred 
 
 79
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 at rare intervals, crowds huddled around it swal- 
 lowing water in dangerous quantities. 
 
 As evening came on, the command reached a point 
 near Siboney. At this hour a violent thunderstorm 
 began to rage. Officers and men suffered alike, all 
 being drenched to the skin. By the time the rain 
 had abated sufficiently to allow fires to be kindled, 
 the night was well advanced. 
 
 ' ' There you are, Sergeant Fenton, ' ' broke out the 
 troop 's cook, standing off to admire a blaze which he 
 had started. "Now for coffee if it's coming." 
 
 "It will be here in a minute," assured the young 
 officer, "for our colonel is caring for us." 
 
 This being verified in a short time, coffee and a 
 small ration of hardtack were served. 
 
 The regiment had been on one-fourth rations 
 since coming on shore. 
 
 "A bit of venison wouldn't go bad with this mix- 
 ture," averred a western plainsman. "But, then," 
 he added apologetically, "can't get it, so it's all 
 right!" 
 
 "Set it up!" called another. 
 
 By break of day, in accordance with instructions 
 issued from headquarters, the Kough Riders were 
 equipped and ready for the march. The captain of 
 the troop to which Fenton belonged, having become 
 sick, had to be carried to the hospital. This left the 
 First Lieutenant in command, while the next in rank 
 was at headquarters acting as adjutant. 
 
 ' ' Get ready for a brush, boys. It 's coming, sure, ' ' 
 
 80
 
 ROOSEVELT BRAVELY LEADS AT LAS GUASIMAS. 
 
 announced Roosevelt, after the troop had answered 
 the roll-call at Reveille. 
 
 "Rah, for the brush!" returned Tom White a 
 cry that was taken up by one trooper after another 
 until the welkin rang. 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt had energy, intelligence and 
 enthusiasm enough to inspire the men of his com- 
 mand, indeed they worshipped him and constantly 
 cheered him. 
 
 Some Cuban scouts had reported to the officer in 
 command that a large body of Spaniards were hid- 
 ing in a certain direction at the distance of one to 
 three miles. This information caused additional care 
 to be taken, the march proceeding cautiously up a 
 trail leading over a wood-crowned hill. The van- 
 guard was deployed as skirmishers at several hun- 
 dred yards from the main body, while other troops 
 scouted on the right and left as well as in the rear. 
 These forces carefully searched for a concealed foe ; 
 while the men behind frequently indulged in the 
 regimental cry: 
 
 "Rough, tough, we're the stuff! 
 
 Come on, Don bluff, 
 We want to fight, let 's get enough, 
 
 Whoop ! Whoop-la-lu ! ' ' 
 
 On the table-land which extended back from the 
 brow of the ascent, lay a locality named Las Guasi- 
 mas. There the enemy had thrown up entrench- 
 ments and rifle pits, which by forestry of low growth 
 were hidden from view. They also held as a fort- 
 si
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ress, although for a time unsuspected by the Rough 
 Eiders, the great sugarhouses of an extensive plan- 
 tation which lay on the extreme left. In this am- 
 buscade, for it thus served, they stealthily awaited 
 the coming of the "Americanos!" 
 
 Colonel Eoosevelt was in command of the Rough 
 Riders and as his men approached the concealed 
 Spaniards, a single shot, quickly followed by many 
 more, came from out the brush. As the enemy used 
 smokeless powder, the localities from which the 
 shots came could not be determined. Nevertheless, 
 the skirmishers and the men who followed, made re- 
 ply, governed by the ear alone. It was in the foe- 
 men's first discharge that that excellent, brave 
 young man, Sergeant Hamilton Fish, who with his 
 captain was in the extreme advance, fell mortally 
 wounded. 
 
 This so aroused the entire force that it awaited 
 with eagerness the command to charge the probable 
 lurking-place of the enemy. The day was insuffer- 
 ably warm and a number of the men, in order that 
 they might make more rapid progress when given 
 a free rein, threw away various articles of their 
 clothing. 
 
 "Boys, the country demands soldierly work of 
 you to-day!" coolly spoke Roosevelt, passing swift- 
 ly along the front. 
 
 "And the country gets it, Colonel," shouted a 
 burly fellow, standing with the others at parade 
 rest.
 
 ROOSEVELT BRAVELY LEADS AT LAS GUASIMAS. 
 
 1 'Bet your last chip," added a companion a little 
 farther along the line. 
 
 ''Let us loose, Colonel," roared a third plainsman, 
 seizing his rifle in both hands, "An' we'll light on 
 'em like a pack of coyotes on a bunch of jack rab- 
 bits!" 
 
 The officer smiled and waved his hand. 
 
 After passing before all his men, he hastily moved 
 to the front and called in deliberate yet calm tone: 
 
 ' ' Forward, my men ! and wipe out the enemy ! ' ' 
 
 Eeceiving the word, the Bough Eiders rushed for- 
 ward. All the obstacles that the ingenuity of the 
 Spanish troops could devise, were encountered. 
 Barbed wire interruptions and intanglements had 
 been placed on every hand. Scattered here and 
 there were pitfalls insnared by being covered with 
 leaves and brush, while the bottoms were set with 
 sharpened stakes to impale those who should break 
 through the deceptive surface. Although these dif- 
 ficulties were to be faced, the brave men pushed on 
 with frenzied haste to reach the foe a foe concealed 
 and using weapons whose discharge could not be 
 detected by the eye ; moreover the Spaniards, know- 
 ing the distance of the coming troops by means of 
 surveys and measurements formerly made, swept 
 their path with a storm of missiles. 
 
 At last the hidden foemen were reached. They 
 were entrenched on the opposite side of a valley 
 concealed by dense foliage. Thus they kept up a 
 
 83
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 terrific blaze upon the Bough Eiders who were 
 speeding toward them. 
 
 " There they are! Jump, boys, and at them!" 
 shouted Colonel Roosevelt, dashing in the lead. 
 
 Chester was in the first little group to reach the 
 entrenchments and rise above the earth-mounds. 
 
 "Down with them, down with them!" he cried. 
 
 "Flop the cussed Dons!" roared a number of 
 struggling soldiers. 
 
 "Every lousy sneak!" was a supplemental cry 
 from Tom White." 
 
 With terrific speed the Riders pushed forward. A 
 few of the men, prostrated by the heat, fell out and 
 others dropped stricken by the bullets of the enemy. 
 Yet onward went the mass. Flying cones multi- 
 plied, whistling and striking on every side. One 
 struck a tree around which Roosevelt was speeding, 
 passing through the crown of his hat. Bark-dust 
 and splinters beat upon his face and filled his eyes ; 
 yet the brave man faltered not, but rather put ad- 
 ditional zest into his step. 
 
 "Storm them, my men," he cried. "Let the 
 Rough Riders win out!" 
 
 "We'll down them, Colonel," shouted Tom White. 
 "Bet your life!" 
 
 The command rushed on, meeting and driving the 
 Spaniards before them until not one was left in the 
 trenches or the neighboring woods. Then a great 
 shout went up : 
 
 84
 
 ROOSEVELT BRAVELY LEADS AT LAS GUASIMAS. 
 
 "Rah, rah, rah! Rah for the Roughs! Bully 
 boys!" 
 
 After the engagement at Las Guasimas, the Rough 
 Riders withdrew from the scene of the conflict to 
 the bank of a small stream which lay on the left. 
 Here they bivouacked and before night came on, 
 fires had been built and supper prepared and served. 
 
 When that hour had passed, the soldiers disposed 
 themselves in various attitudes of rest on the soft 
 grass of the woodland. Following the fierce heat of 
 the day, the cooler air of the deepening shadows was 
 grateful and was highly enjoyed by the weary com- 
 batants. The hours passed by and at length the 
 notes of a bugle sounding retreat floated over the 
 landscape. Spreading ponchos and blankets on the 
 damp ground, the men lay down and were asleep 
 beneath the open sky. 
 
 "I've fixed your bed over here, Sergeant," ex- 
 plained Johnny, when the "retreat" caused Chester 
 to look around for his rubber blanket. 
 
 Under the tree indicated, he found that the boy 
 had collected a lot of palm leaves which he had 
 bedded on the ground. Upon them as a top-layer, 
 he had spread the softest grass he could find. 
 
 "That's fine," praised the young man, placing 
 his hand on the shoulder of the lad, "although it 
 must have cost you much hard work." 
 
 "I didn't want you to lie on the hard ground," 
 declared Johnny, delighted with the pleasure which 
 the other manifested. 
 
 85
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 From the day the captain had become an occupant 
 of a ward in the field hospital, Chester had cared 
 for the boy and had shared with him his shelter- 
 tent indeed, Johnny's condition had aroused warm 
 interest in his mind and heart. 
 
 On the following day, the men who had fallen at 
 Las Guasimas were committed to the bosom of the 
 earth. The lost members of the First United States 
 Volunteer Cavalry, the Rough Eiders, were given a 
 military burial in all its solemnity; yet as the com- 
 rades of some were very much touched at the de- 
 parture of friends long known to them on the plains 
 or among the mountains of the West, additional 
 ceremonies peculiar to their home regions being per- 
 mitted by a kindly asking from Theodore Roosevelt. 
 Strange, it seemed, to witness the bronzed faces of 
 frontiersmen streaked with lines of moisture as they 
 tenderly laid a companion to rest. 
 
 "He was one of the boys you could tie to," slowly 
 pronounced a long-haired giant. 
 
 "And no mistake," added a third, "and he was 
 the best shot at Round Knob. Could spot the ace 
 of clubs with his pocket gun at two hundred paces 
 every time he let go and I'll bet he's more than 
 even with the cussed Dons." 
 
 86
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MARCH OF THE ROUGH RIDERS TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 A few days had passed and a stir was noticeable 
 in the camp. 
 
 "There are orders to move!" declared Sergeant 
 Fenton to a group of soldiers who lounged beneath 
 the trees of the encampment. 
 
 In a few minutes Colonel Roosevelt came in front 
 of the soldiers. With a smiling countenance, he an- 
 nounced : 
 
 "We march this afternoon to meet the Span- 
 iards." 
 
 "Rah!" shouted private White, springing from 
 the ground. 
 
 The cry was taken up and repeated by the differ- 
 ent groups until the whole field was in a cheery 
 uproar. 
 
 The commander, waving his hat, went back to 
 his tent. 
 
 During the middle of the afternoon, the movement 
 began. The column, a sinuous line of blue, wound 
 among the trees and jungle-undergrowth. In an at- 
 tempt to keep cool, many walked with bare heads, 
 their shirt-sleeves rolled up and their collars unbut- 
 
 87
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 toned and thrown wide apart. The personal bag- 
 gage which they were required to carry, added much 
 to their discomfort ; yet they struggled bravely for- 
 ward, cheerfully wrestling the difficulties of the 
 route indeed, the way being arduous, still merrier 
 rose the hum of voices and the more reckless the 
 desultory converse. 
 
 "Ouch! That cactus jest sticks a feller to the 
 bone ! ' ' exclaimed a soldier who had been pierced. 
 
 "What's a bone when a Don's on the trail?" rap- 
 ped our another. "Stick it in your pocket." 
 
 "Them things are Spanish bayonets," twanged a 
 laboring cowboy. "Leastways I heard that the 
 woods were full of them." 
 
 "What about slush?" whipped out Severs, trying 
 to shake himself free from a soft environment. 
 
 "It sticks wuss than did mud up in God's country 
 on the Missoorah ! ' ' panted a brown-faced toiler. 
 
 On the right of the column, the guns of a light bat- 
 tery of artillery were passing. The wheels, rolling 
 over the softened clay of the rock-besprinkled sur- 
 face, creaked and groaned. 
 
 "Say! Get off and walk," shouted Jack Clother 
 to the drivers. "Them horses have got enough to 
 do without having a dead weight on their backs." 
 
 "Not dead yet, old boy!" bawled one of the riders, 
 merrily laughing. 
 
 "Mebbe not; but we'uns have to walk and there's 
 
 a kick on you'uns having the best end of the lariat!" 
 
 "You'uns better join the boomers, then," re- 
 
 83
 
 MARCH OF THE ROUGH RIDERS TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 torted the other, "and learn how to shoot and save 
 soles!" 
 
 "Git out!" croaked an individual perched on a 
 caisson. "A feller on a hoss helps the crittur to 
 stick in his toe-calks." 
 
 "This dirt '11 stick 'em good," clipped out one of 
 the Rough Riders, whose face showed perspiration 
 flowing in currents down cheek and neck. 
 
 "When you spot them Spaniards, knock 'em gal- 
 ley-west, so's we'll have less to do!" shouted White 
 to the artillerists of a second gun-carriage, as it 
 rumbled by. 
 
 ' ' Bet your bottom dollar ! We '11 keep 'em a skip- 
 pin'!" 
 
 "Cuss this load!" grumbled Severs, as he brushed 
 the moisture from his forehead. "If the blasted 
 Dons had to carry our stuff while we prodded 'em 
 with our bayonets, things would move ! Eh, old fel- 
 ler?" he cried, turning to White. "It 'ud be about 
 as good as giving 'em a magazine full !" 
 
 1 ' Suit me to a dot. ' ' 
 
 Occasionally, Cubans armed with shotguns or 
 machetes, came trailing along making their way to 
 the rear. Seemingly they were bent on escaping a 
 conflict which they understood to be approaching. 
 One clothed in white, an officer of the Revolutionary 
 army, came near Fenton's troop. Suddenly spring- 
 ing away from the sergeant's side where he was 
 marching, the boy, Johnny Upswich, drew his re- 
 volver and pointed it at the Cuban. 
 
 89
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "No, Johnny," checked Chester, grasping him by 
 the arm, "he is a friend." 
 
 "Joe said that fellows in white are Dons, and they 
 are all the time hitting our soldiers from the tops of 
 the trees." 
 
 ' ' That is partly a mistake. Cubans wear white 
 and they are helping us not firing at us." 
 
 Very slowly and with manifest reluctance, the boy 
 lowered his weapon and returned it to its sheath. 
 
 The shadows were lengthening in the sun's red- 
 dened glow and the swelter of a tropical evening had 
 begun. The column halted and the shelter-tents 
 were spread. To keep the position of the camp 
 masked, neither fire nor lights were allowed. Under 
 these circumstances, coffee was wanting to the even- 
 ing meal ; save in those instances where a small sup- 
 ply of the cold article had been hoarded in a canteen. 
 
 "Here, Sergeant, I saved some for you," cried 
 Johnny, holding up his tin receptacle to Chester. 
 
 "Why, my boy. We shall share it," returned 
 Fenton. "Come down here." 
 
 Later, when the mantle of night had fallen, for 
 awhile Theodore Roosevelt passed around among 
 the troops, speaking pleasantly and cheering all of 
 them. It was a delightful order of kindness to the 
 men ; and as he withdrew from group to group, their 
 farewell words were full of praise. Then the sol- 
 diers, like phantom-forms, flitted among the trees, 
 or slept peacefully, little troubled concerning the 
 morrow. 
 
 90
 
 MARCH OF THE ROUGH RIDERS TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 The rain clouds, which during the day had liberal- 
 ly discharged moisture, had broken away and the 
 moon shone softly among fleecy masses floating high 
 in the atmosphere. Long after the camp had become 
 quiet, Fenton was awake. Visions of San Ysidra 
 and the fair girl who graced the island, floated be- 
 fore his eyes, holding him fast in delightful reverie. 
 
 " Blessed Dorothy," he breathed. "So sweet, so 
 good." 
 
 Johnny had lingered near, walking slowly in nar- 
 row limits as if he guarded his new master. Ches- 
 ter had seated himself beneath drooping foliage, his 
 hands interlocked across his knees. The lad crept 
 silently toward him and finally sat down at his feet, 
 casting shy glances upon his troubled countenance. 
 The sergeant aroused and spoke: 
 
 "Johnny, did the march tire you?" 
 
 "Oh, no. I'm just as fresh! I could jump over 
 the moon." 
 
 After waiting awhile, he whispered: 
 
 "Joe Wilson says the Spanish can't fight like our 
 boys." 
 
 "Did Joe say that?" 
 
 "Yes. Right, isn't it?" 
 
 ' ' The Spaniards used to be a brave people, and at 
 Las Guasimas they made a savage fight. Still, I 
 think the Americans are ahead." 
 
 "Do you believe they'll kill many soldiers?" asked 
 the boy, rising with an abrupt movement and com- 
 ing near to his companion. 
 
 91
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ' ' No one can predict but I fear they may. ' ' 
 
 The lad made no reply except to put his arm over 
 the sergeant's shoulders. 
 
 A little later, Chester asked Johnny to spread the 
 poncho beneath the tree under which they were sit- 
 ting. When they lay down to rest, the lad was given 
 his usual place on one side of it. Before consigning 
 himself to the god of dreams, he examined his 
 ancient pistol of the old pepper-box variety to see 
 that the cartridges were in place. Then with great 
 care he put it near his head and muttered: 
 
 * ' There don 't any Spaniard hurt Sergeant Fenton 
 to-night!" 
 
 During the night Eoosevelt slept curled up on his 
 saddle blanket covered simply by his rain-coat. After 
 midnight he made a round of the sentries to see that 
 every one was doing his duty. 
 
 The stir of the camp began before the hue of dawn 
 limned the mountain crest. The breakfast was pre- 
 pared so early that the soldiers could barely distin- 
 guish each other's faces. In low tones they spoke of 
 the possibilities which the day might bring forth : 
 
 ' ' Which of us sits at the mess for the last time f ' ' 
 was asked. Again: 
 
 "Who are to fall on yonder heights'?" 
 
 "Those who went down at Las Guasimas didn't 
 expect to, ' ' continued a trooper as he sipped his cof- 
 fee. 
 
 "Maybe that hits the rest of us." 
 
 "Don't disturb yourselves," urged Joe Wilson. 
 
 92
 
 MARCH OF THE ROUGH RIDERS TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 "Our boss, Roosevelt, is going to lead us to whack 
 the Dons and, by Jove, we '11 do it ! " 
 
 "Bully, bully boys!" exclaimed White. 
 
 The sun's first ray kissed the top of the palm- 
 trees and nature's investiture of mist and dew was 
 transformed into a sheen of glory. As the men 
 stood in the ranks waiting for orders, their gaze 
 upon the landscape caused their spirits to rise into 
 loftier moods. 
 
 "Oh, but she's an eye-charmer," cried one of the 
 troopers, looking upon the surrounding beauty. 
 
 "A stem- winder, " declared another. "It looks all 
 right above but the footing, eh?" 
 
 The line of attack on the outer fortification at San- 
 tiago, extended for several miles. The assault and 
 the capture of these works, including El Caney and 
 San Juan, are to be precedent to an investment of 
 the defenses of the stronghold itself. 
 
 After the march had begun, the unbenign condi- 
 tion of the earth's bosom was more and more re- 
 vealed, locomotion being a laborious and difficult 
 task. It irritated the wading footmen, causing a 
 reaction of the morning pleasure when viewing the 
 landscape. 
 
 "Say!" exclaimed Severs, "if this is Cuby, I 
 don't want any of it in mine." 
 
 "Not much," grumblingly coincided another. 
 
 "I can't see why they call it the 'Pearl of the 
 Antilles,' " continued Sam. "Jerusalem! A pearl! 
 
 93
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 I'd dub it a first-class peat-bog, or a slough, or a 
 mud-hole ! ' ' 
 
 "Er a cactus patch," suggested White. 
 
 " 'Cordin' to the way the ground sticks, it's the 
 devil's own mushpot," declared a toiler. 
 
 In the formation of the attack, the Eough Riders 
 were assigned to a division operating against San 
 Juan and its defenses. Halted by the general in 
 command, they lay waiting for further orders. 
 Chester's troop rested among lemon and mango 
 trees, whose modest stature was overtopped by the 
 fronds of numerous royal palms. On all sides there 
 was such a profuse growth of cacti, guava bushes 
 and guinea grass as to embarrass the soldiers ' move- 
 ments and prevent an extended view of the forest 
 vale fronting them through which the advance 
 against the enemy's works was to proceed. 
 
 ' ' Say, boys ! ' ' exclaimed White, * * did you see that 
 crab crittur going it slaunchwise I " 
 
 "Nope," declared Sam. 
 
 "A frightful consarn; Eyes that put you in mind 
 of the devil 's accordin ' to the way we figger it. ' ' 
 
 "Must be handsome," affirmed private Wild. 
 
 "Yes, it's pretty," conceded Tom, "perwidin' a 
 man doesn't mind what he says." 
 
 "I caught on to the thing at Siboney," declared 
 Joe Wilson, "but I wasn't stuck on it." 
 
 "I believe the riptyle is rank pison!" ejaculated 
 a soldier standing a little in the rear. "Ugh! I'd 
 
 94
 
 MARCH OF THE ROUGH RIDERS TO SAN JUAN. 
 
 rayther tumble on a squad of Dons than on to 
 them!" 
 
 "Look!" blared Severs. "On that mango! Up 
 at the fork!" 
 
 Those who looked saw a huge lizard having a yel- 
 low body and green legs. 
 
 "Stars! What the snakes do you call it?" 
 
 "One of these snapbacks, I reckon," conjectured 
 Sam. 
 
 "Those land crabs are snapbacks," declared Jack 
 Clother. 
 
 95
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 From a hill on the left, the booming of cannon fell 
 on the ear. It was the signal for a forward move- 
 ment. The ranks became silent and the officers pro- 
 nounced the requisite commands. The roar of the 
 American guns had scarce ceased to reverberate 
 among the hills when the ordnance of the enemy 
 crashed in reply. The trajectory of the first of their 
 shrapnel was rather great, so that the deadly mes- 
 senger fell to the rear; but they had accurate meas- 
 urements of the distance between their works and 
 every prominent point in the relief for miles around. 
 Hence a slight error of range was soon corrected. 
 
 As there was a halt of his regiment, others crowd- 
 ing in the trail, Colonel Roosevelt was somewhat 
 back discussing the probable course of the army. 
 The first shrapnel burst near him; the second one 
 throwing the shrapnel bullets all around where he 
 stood. One of the bullets struck him, wounding his 
 wrist so as to cause a great swelling. The same shell 
 cast fragments that caused four of the Rough Riders 
 to be wounded. Roosevelt immediately hustled his 
 regiment over the crest of the hill where it stood 
 
 96
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 and lead the men into a depression covered with 
 heavy jungle-growth and tall trees. 
 
 "Gittin' warmer!" asserted White. 
 
 "It was hot enough before," retorted Wilson. 
 
 ' * They are durn careless with them shraps ! ' ' pro- 
 tested Severs. 
 
 Soon the Kough Riders marched forward as ex- 
 peditiously as the moist surface permitted, the 
 troops struggling with the torturous maze of jungle- 
 growth. 
 
 * * Hello, Tom ! Did you get your hide skewered ! ' ' 
 laughed Joe, as the former sprang back from the 
 spines of a cactus. 
 
 * l Guessed it the fust time. ' ' 
 
 A screeching shell came spinning towards them. 
 
 "Down, boys!" called Colonel Roosevelt. 
 
 None too soon ; for the strident emissary burst on 
 their left. 
 
 "They have the range," averred the colonel, as 
 the men arose. 
 
 "Blame their picturs!" growled Clother. "If 
 they'd only show themselves we'd get their range 
 mighty sudden." 
 
 The regiment entered a public highway leading 
 directly to San Juan. The footing proved to be 
 worse than in the routeless forest, the soldiers slip- 
 ping and floundering in miry depths. On each side 
 of the road lay a thick jungle. A storm of shot from 
 concealed Spanish entrenchments in distant woods, 
 rendered the narrow way the stalking-place of Death. 
 
 97
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 A wood cuckoo and then another, gave prolonged 
 notes. 
 
 "Jehosophat!" bawled a foot-toiler. ''Sounds as 
 if that crittur was being spitted. ' ' 
 
 "Spanish sharpshooters," explained Roosevelt. 
 * ' Cubans told us to look out for that cry. It 's a sig- 
 nal for the troops in the entrenchments." 
 
 "Signal? What for?" 
 
 "To tell them where we are, so they can hit us." 
 
 ' ' Burn their scalps ! ' ' cried White. 
 
 "Keep your eyes peeled, boys. Let us try to dis- 
 cover the trees in which the Spanish marksmen con- 
 ceal themselves, then wing one whenever we make 
 out his hiding-place." 
 
 Coming to an unbridged creek, the soldiers had 
 to hop, skip, and jump on fragments of rock that 
 had been placed in the skurrying and frothing water. 
 This caused the movement of the column to vary, 
 seeming to hurry at one point, to retard its step at 
 another. While Fenton's troop was in one of the 
 conjestions, the "weet-s-st" of a rifle ball cutting 
 the foliage near him, arrested his attention. He 
 looked to the right, whence the dangerous missile had 
 come. 
 
 "Some of our boys are gittin' wild," shot forth 
 Severs. 
 
 "Ping! Whit!" sang more Mauser cones. 
 
 "Our boys?" retorted Roosevelt. "No. It's the 
 rifles of the enemy in treetops down yonder. They 
 are trying to get us." 
 
 98
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 "The skulking thieves!" blurted Sam. 
 
 "Keep a sharp lookout! so we may get them!" 
 
 "Sh-st!" hissed another bolt, clipping here and 
 there a leaf in its course. At that instant one of the 
 men fell. Tom White ran to him. 
 
 "Somebody give me a poke with his gun!" cried 
 the prostrate soldier, looking wrathfully at the com- 
 rade who bent over him. 
 
 "It was a Don," returned White, deprecatingly, 
 as raising the soldier he exposed his gory garments. 
 
 The man saw the life-stream issuing from his body 
 and trickling down upon the grass. He immediately 
 became silent. 
 
 Colonel Eoosevelt had run toward them. 
 
 x 
 
 "Watch that clump of palms!" he cried. 
 
 He then set about applying "first-aid" bandages 
 to the wounded soldier. White endeavored to locate 
 the guerilla by sighting from the spot where the 
 bullet struck. He knew that the marksman must 
 have shot through those openings which were in line 
 with himself and the victim. 
 
 "What can you make out?" called Severs. 
 
 "Trying to find out where that gorilla is." 
 
 "Hard to spot the smokeless-powder cusses!" ex- 
 ploded Sam. 
 
 "It is certain that one is in the trees down yon- 
 der," pronounced the colonel, pointing to a group 
 of palms. 
 
 White, who was one of the crack shots of the regi- 
 ment, saw far away a movement among the fronds 
 
 99
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 of a palm-tree. Instantly he took aim and fired. In 
 a few seconds a Spanish sharpshooter fell from the 
 treetop. 
 
 "Well done, Tom," exclaimed Roosevelt. "A 
 good shot and no mistake." 
 
 The command entered the road that led down to 
 the San Juan river. This was a long descent, swept 
 by hostile fire from the masked enemy. The Span- 
 iards had ascertained the ordnance and small-arm 
 range of a thousand landmarks. Thus a death-pour 
 could be spouted on a given locality ; information of 
 the American position being signaled by the sharp- 
 shooters concealed in palm-trees. 
 
 Deplorable spectacle! Brave men in an attitude 
 of inaction facing a murderous fire from an unseen 
 foe. 
 
 Behold! Men calmly enter the frightful hurri- 
 cane. One after another they are torn and lacerated 
 by hostile bolts; but as they fall to eternal sleep, 
 they smile and speak cheery words. Yet there is not 
 pause or faltering. Others succeed and fill the re- 
 sulting gaps. 
 
 "Farewell, brave men! A nation mourns but 
 will hold your deeds in hallowed memory ! ' ' 
 
 Thus Roosevelt spoke when he was standing over 
 a Eough Rider who, being horribly wounded, sud- 
 denly passed away. 
 
 The situation was one of terrible strain a su- 
 preme test of courage and patriotism. To the fell 
 blast, response was impossible; for it apparently 
 
 100
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 sprang from out of the forest. Death lurked on every 
 side. Soldiers sank, but their comrades could find no 
 outlet for the maddened resentment which crazed 
 them. 
 
 "Colonel, this is awful!" declared a gigantic 
 Eider from Arizona. " Can't we go for them cussed 
 Dons?" 
 
 "We are moving toward their fortified places 
 from which they are sending storms of shot. At 
 present we cannot detect any on our flanks. ' ' 
 
 "I hope we can fix them. We are shot and are 
 not able to draw a bead on a single buffer ! ' ' 
 
 Onward moved the armed, yet armless, men. With 
 clenched teeth they went to slaughter. The Ameri- 
 can soldier will march to death ; he will never betray 
 the trust of his countrymen. 
 
 The forks of the San Juan were reached. Pity, 
 pity ! The place was swept by a deadly torrent. The 
 troops pushed on! Rifles were gripped in clasp of 
 steel and men dashed down to River Styx! With em- 
 blanched cheek but unfaltering step they went to 
 sacrifice. 
 
 Colonel Roosevelt stood on the bank speaking to 
 the officers and the troopers as they approached : 
 
 "Stoop men and hasten across to the opposite 
 bank. You can rest there safely for awhile." 
 
 "Good enough, brave Colonel! We'll git there!" 
 
 The commander smiled and moved his hand in a 
 friendly way. 
 
 From instinct, some of the men wading through 
 
 101
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 the storm-harrowed passage, had stooped down ; the 
 officers, however, stood erect, often speaking to their 
 commands. 
 
 "Hurry through, boys!" called Fenton. 
 
 "Please, Sergeant, stoop down," pleaded Johnny. 
 
 ' l It will do for me to stand up. Bun to the bank ! ' ' 
 
 "If it is all right for you, it is for me ! ' ' pluckily 
 declared the lad, dragging through the river beside 
 Fenton. The water reached to his waist; yet the 
 precious pistol and its ammunition was held high in 
 air. 
 
 At last the troops had passed the bloody defile 
 and, turning aside, deployed on land covered by a 
 heavy undergrowth. Through openings, the troops 
 now began to sight the enemy; or at least, to see 
 their forts and earthworks. Colonel Eoosevelt was 
 using a field-glass to inspect the Spanish entrench- 
 ments. 
 
 "See, Colonel, there's a row of heads along the 
 outside parapet, ' ' announced private White. 
 
 "And I see Dons back of the posts," affirmed Fen- 
 ton. 
 
 1 1 You are deceived, ' ' explained Eoosevelt. * ' The 
 enemy have dressed some poles and set them before 
 the openings. They have also laid straw hats on top 
 of the breastworks." 
 
 * * To draw our fire ! " flashed Tom. ' Well, they '11 
 skidoo out o ' that, all the same ! ' ' 
 
 "I see the Spaniards step between the headgear 
 to discharge their firearms. There is a slight bluish 
 
 102
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 puff of the smokeless powder. With the field-glass 
 I can locate an enemy. But I fear that none of you 
 can do so with the naked eye." 
 "There! I see it!" cried Sam. 
 
 "Do you see it? A quick return at such a point 
 may give results," replied Roosevelt. 
 
 The suggestion was at once adopted; and when a 
 film of blue thereafter could be seen, it was followed 
 by immediate shots from the best marksmen among 
 the Bough Riders. 
 
 During this period of action, the troops moved 
 toward the opposing forces. Reaching the outer 
 edge of the woods, an open slope, seven or eight hun- 
 dred yards wide, lay between them and the Heights 
 of San Juan. Here, under orders, the infantry 
 waited for the artillery. In this unfortunate situ- 
 ation, through hours, the halted lines received an 
 incessant rifle fire from the embankments of the 
 enemy. The air rang with sibilance, while at times 
 the flying cones and shells brought death to the sol- 
 diers who lay prone upon the ground. 
 
 Regardless of every remonstrance given by the of- 
 ficers or men, Colonel Roosevelt went from place to 
 place, exhibiting a bravery which he had shown won- 
 derfully since he first stood under fire. Wherever 
 he found a regimental comrade stricken in that fiery 
 blast, he staunched the life-flow with first-aid band- 
 ages. 
 
 On the earth, two soldiers groaned. One suffered 
 
 103
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 from a shattered knee, while the other had been 
 pierced through the lungs. 
 
 "I'll give many thanks for a drink," moaned the 
 latter. 
 
 For hours under the burning sun and amid the 
 swirl of shot, Johnny, sweat and dust begrimed, had 
 carried water. On his last trip to the river, he had 
 filled several canteens. After most strenuous effort 
 he had brought them to the wounded and the dying. 
 Hearing the distressful cry, he hurried to the side 
 of the suffering man. To him he spoke with peculiar 
 tenderness : 
 
 ' ' Here is water, Tom. ' ' 
 
 And he gently placed the mouth of the canteen 
 between the trooper's lips. White drank a long, 
 satisfying draught. Then with his eyes resting on 
 the lad, he indistinctly uttered : 
 
 "You're a bully boy, Johnny. Thank you so 
 much. ' ' 
 
 "Oh Tom, I brought it for you," returned the 
 lad, his eyes filling with tears. "I wish I could help 
 you." 
 
 The soldier shook his head. 
 
 "My checks '11 have to go forrard this time. That 
 bullet was for me," he gasped, his voice partially 
 choking. 
 
 "This way, boys!" called Roosevelt. "Here he 
 is. Hurry him down to the field hospital under the 
 bank at Bloody Bend. ' ' 
 
 The soldier was a few yards distant, when the 
 
 104
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 colonel again spoke, directing the carriers: 
 
 * * Down this hollow behind the trees. Keep out of 
 the way of the bullets as much as you can." 
 
 Johnny now hastened to give water to the poor 
 fellow who lay with shattered knee. After he had 
 supplied him, he asked : 
 
 "Can't you use your gun for a crutch and follow 
 Tom White down to the hospital!" 
 
 "No, no," he grieved. "My leg is too badly 
 broken. It would kill me." 
 
 ' * The boys will take you down, Henry, on their re- 
 turn," Roosevelt assured him. 
 
 "All right, dear Colonel," replied the sufferer. 
 
 The fiery lances of the western sun pierced the 
 tropical foliage, yet the artillery had not yet ar- 
 rived. The waiting had been most disastrous; for 
 although the troops had been ordered to lie down, 
 the ranks had been sadly depleted by the hostile fire 
 which had riddled them several hours. Roosevelt 
 sent out messenger after messenger to the command- 
 ing general to obtain permission to advance. When 
 he was able to speak to General Joseph Wheeler, 
 he remarked : 
 
 ' * The American soldier never retreats ! ' ' 
 
 "True, Roosevelt, true!" confirmed General 
 Wheeler. * ' Carry out that undoubted bravery. ' ' 
 
 "Then I and my regiment may go forward?" 
 
 "Sure." 
 
 The troops were on the ground waiting, when sud- 
 denly the bugle rang out: 
 
 105
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ''Rise!" 
 
 Up sprang the embattled line. Colonel Roosevelt 
 now formed the Rough Riders in open skirmishing 
 order. 
 
 Again the trumpet 's thrilling call : 
 
 "Forward!" 
 
 And the movement began. A few minutes elapsed 
 and the clarion notes rose shrill and clear : 
 
 "Forward! To the charge!" 
 
 The valiant host swept onward ! It must be added 
 that when Roosevelt's men started, other regiments 
 jumped up and pushed on. 
 
 Wilder shrieked the Spanish shrapnel and more 
 furiously sped the Mauser cones. The heroisms of 
 that day had never been surpassed. Mere words 
 cannot represent them. Officers and men vied with 
 each other in examples of exalted daring. 
 
 Behold the American army! Bursting into im- 
 petuous life, it rushed over the bolt-torn space. The 
 officers, general, field, and line, were in front. With 
 swinging hat and waving sword, each shouted en- 
 couragement to his followers and led on to the hos- 
 tile works. The answers of the men, bursting from 
 their lips in billowy chorus, gave hearty response, 
 cheering their intrepid chieftains and nerving them 
 anew. 
 
 The Rough Riders, with their fearless commander 
 leading them, sprang swiftly up the bullet-harrowed 
 steep that lay before them. 
 
 "Come on, men!" shouted Roosevelt, swinging a 
 
 106
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 rifle which he was handling most effectively. "Use 
 your guns as chance may permit but let us get to 
 the entrenchments." 
 
 "Right you are, Colonel!" roared a frontiersman 
 who was strenuously endeavoring to equal his lead- 
 er's speed. "We'll soon git the blame Dons by the 
 hair!" 
 
 A small stream crossed their course. Colonel 
 Roosevelt splashed through without a hesitating 
 step and his men followed him not delaying for a 
 moment. 
 
 With marvelous defiance of danger, the color- 
 bearers were in advance of the rank and file. 
 
 ' * Hurrah, boys ! Line up on the colors ! ' ' cried a 
 sturdy fellow who had borne his fluttering standard 
 in advance of his comrades. 
 
 Heaven guard! The brave man fell! But scarce 
 had the folds of the sacred emblem touched earth, 
 ere other hands had seized it and raised it high 
 above the struggling battalions. 
 
 "To the color!" blared forth the brazen bugle. 
 
 "To the color!" issued from a thousand loyal 
 throats, as with unparalleled daring the men dashed 
 on. They were more than halfway over the open 
 ground, that death-flushed field of carnage. Gory 
 forms in khaki marked the way. The living halted 
 not, but through baffling, spinous herbage pressed 
 onward to the heights. 
 
 "Forward boys!" cheered their colonel. "We 
 go to yonder crest!" 
 
 107
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 On they sped, heedless of the withering blasts that 
 issued from the trench-covered steep. Sergeant 
 Penton was pushing on beside his lieutenant. Sud- 
 denly the latter fell. Chester stopped to minister 
 to him. 
 
 * * Never mind me. Go on with the men ! Let our 
 colors be the first to cap the Spanish works ! ' ' cried 
 the gallant officer, writhing in the agonies of death. 
 
 The base of the hill was reached. The soldiers 
 were breathless. Their faces were stained with the 
 heat and the dust of conflict; but their hearts were 
 of steel. Struggling up the final precipitous ascent 
 toward the hilltop, their eyes burned with steadfast 
 purpose. 
 
 "Push forward, my men! Go to the forts!" 
 shouted Colonel Roosevelt. 
 
 On a distant eminence a group of persons watched 
 the progress of the fight. 
 
 "Great God!" exclaimed the military attache of 
 a foreign power. ' * They are going to the entrench- 
 ments and the batteries!" 
 
 "Without artillery!" proclaimed a member of the 
 English press corps. "It is slaughter and if they 
 fail, not a man will be left to tell the story!" 
 
 "Fail! Not at all!" declared the proud corres- 
 pondent of a New York journal. 
 
 "It is bravery, unexampled bravery; but not legi- 
 timate warfare, ' ' concluded another of the party. 
 
 "What think you?" was asked of a Japanese of- 
 ficer who quietly regarded the spectacle. The in- 
 
 108
 
 SAN JUAN CAPTURED BY COLONEL ROOSEVELT. 
 
 terrogated shrugged his shoulders in a significant 
 manner. 
 
 "Me link e-emgo!" 
 
 The Rough Eiders, trying hard to keep up with 
 their colonel, were climbing the almost perpendicu- 
 lar hillside just below the trenches. It rose abruptly 
 before them. Still they manfully wrestled with the 
 difficulties which beset them. Gasping, fainting with 
 heat, the faithful souls paused not. Now they 
 grasped shrubs and bunch-grass, with sharp-spined 
 cactus to assist them in the ascent. Lion-hearted, 
 they resolutely grappled with their mighty task. 
 They mounted, laboriously wrenching themselves 
 over the tortuous surface. With never-halting cour- 
 age they cheered again and again. Woe to the 
 Spaniard who showed himself above the parapets; 
 for the American rifles sang deadly dissonance. 
 Again and again Eoosevelt cheered his men and led 
 them forward. 
 
 "Charge the enemy, brave comrades!" he loudly 
 called. * 4 We fight for honor and for Cuba free ! ' ' 
 
 The troops responded with hearty shouts as sol- 
 dier-freemen may utter. Still onward, upward! 
 They neared the ridge. Barbed wire entanglements 
 confronted them! Beyond were the entrenchments 
 whence burst the lethal streams ! Facing a cyclone 
 of shot, brave men cut away the interwoven iron. The 
 troops rushed through and swept toward their hid- 
 den foe. 
 
 Sergeant Fenton was doing what he could for his 
 
 109
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 troop, raising high the rifle crowned with flashing 
 bayonet. Suddenly the weapon fell from his hand 
 and the arm dropped nerveless to his side, while he 
 stumbled to the ground. Instantly he regained his 
 feet. Blood trickled down and dripped from his 
 finger-tips. A strange, tingling sensation succeeded 
 and his limb was bereft of feeling. Stooping, he 
 quickly seized the weapon with the other hand. In- 
 stantly it gleamed in air while he called with clear, 
 ringing voice: 
 
 ' * On my brothers ! Let us win out ! ' ' 
 
 "The enemy is on the run!" shouted Roosevelt. 
 "After them sharply!" 
 
 While he spoke, he began to clamber over the rise 
 of the first entrenchments. Employing feet and 
 knees, he reached the top, rushing toward the scat- 
 tered enemy who were scrambling over the embank- 
 ments of the second line of defense. 
 
 The Eiders closely following him were now swarm- 
 ing over the parapet. The Spaniards, leaving be- 
 hind them heaps of their dying and dead, gave way 
 and fled before the oncoming host. Still forward 
 pressed the conquering arms. The fort, lying be- 
 yond the trenches, was attained. It was scaled! In 
 spite of flying bullets, a gallant soldier holding aloft 
 the American flag, mounted the towering pile and 
 amid a burst uf enthusiasm which pealed upward to 
 the skies, "Old Glory" spread out upon the breeze. 
 
 "Heaven prosper it!" cried Colonel Roosevelt. 
 
 no
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 "Sam, this is superb," proclaimed Fenton, cast- 
 ing his satisfied eyes over the woodland that capped 
 the ground above the regimental tents. 
 
 Both were gazing on magnificent guaicum trees 
 whose blue flowers glowed among abundant foliage. 
 On their trunks and branches, granadilla wove about 
 the trees, covering their bark with beautiful green 
 verdure and red flowers. As Chester and his com- 
 panion looked upon the brilliant blossoms of the 
 climbers mingling with the blue display, they seemed 
 to impart beauty to the whole landscape. 
 
 "Your remark is right," agreed Severs. 
 
 "Flowers in lovely groupings," continued the 
 sergeant. 
 
 * ' Cuby looks better to me than it did. I was more 
 than willing to lie in the trenches as long as it was 
 necessary to go for the Dons, yet it's mighty nice to 
 move out of the water and mud to a spot like this." 
 
 "Of course; and as the Spaniards surrendered 
 four days ago, it was no use for the boys to stay in 
 the slush any longer. ' ' 
 
 Chester had been released from the hospital the 
 day before ; but he had been directed to report every 
 
 in
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 morning that his wounded arm might receive much 
 attention as the surgeons deemed necessary. 
 
 "I tell you our colonel is a most splendid man," 
 continued Severs. "He did all this. Paid for stacks 
 of things out of his own pocket to fix up the troopers 
 and improve everything in camp." 
 
 "Yes, he watched over his men. He came to the 
 hospital to see that I was properly cared for. He 
 has given his whole time and strength in the effort 
 to promote the welfare of the Eiders." 
 
 ' * You bet. There 's a delayed mail coming intoday. 
 Haven't had any for ever so long don't know 
 whether my best girl picked out a better looking guy 
 or not." 
 
 "I have not received a letter since I have been 
 in Cuba," affirmed Fenton. "Disappointment has 
 held me fast. Hope I may get one today. Let's 
 walk down to headquarters and learn if the mail is 
 in." 
 
 On reaching the adjutant's tent, they found that 
 the entrance to the adjoining one was the regimental 
 postoffice. It was closed. The mail received that 
 morning was being distributed. Outside a great 
 crowd anxiously waited. 
 
 It was an hour, perhaps, before the flaps of the 
 canvas were spread apart. Then a great rush be- 
 gan. On account of his condition, men considerately 
 gave place as Chester appeared at the opening. 
 
 "Yere, Sergeant, yere's yer mail," cried Flipper 
 Jack, a tall, dark-hued Texan, bringing him a hand- 
 
 112
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 ful of letters and papers. "I got yer bunch fer ye 
 so 's ter save ye any mishap. ' ' 
 
 "Thank you, friend Jack," returned Fenton, re- 
 ceiving the mail with evident pleasure. 
 
 Withdrawing from the crowd, he went out and 
 took a seat under a neighboring tree. The handwrit- 
 ing of one letter made his heart leap. Since he could 
 use but one hand, he opened it by holding a pencil 
 between his teeth. Swiftly his eyes ran over the 
 enclosed sheet. 
 
 "June fourth," he exclaimed, "and here it is the 
 twenty-first of July ! Forty-eight days to reach me. ' ' 
 
 "It's postmarked 'Tampa' just consider and 
 there are some other marks I cannot make out." 
 
 "Mrs. Strathmore has passed away. Died May 
 twenty-ninth. Oh, how dreadful!" he groaned, 
 springing to his feet. 
 
 "Dorothy is beside herself with grief. How I 
 wish I was with her. I could cheer her. Think ! She 
 must manage that house all alone! She writes: 
 
 " 'My father is very kind, but he does not under- 
 stand girl's troubles." 
 
 "Of course not. I wrote to her yesterday but I 
 write again today," he affirmed, as he began to re- 
 turn to his quarters. 
 
 "Good morning!" welcomed Colonel Roosevelt. 
 "How is your arm?" 
 
 "Fine," he responded. "I can move it a little. 
 See!" he added, raising the sling a trifle from his 
 side. 
 
 113
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ' ' That '& first rate. Since you were in the hospital 
 the surrender of the Spaniards enabled us to leave 
 the miry trenches. Do you feel pleased?" 
 
 "Very much, dear Colonel." 
 
 Roosevelt bowed and went into the postal tent to 
 see that all things were done properly. 
 
 A noncommissioned officer came along. 
 
 "Hello, Sergeant. How goes it?" 
 
 "Getting along in fair shape." 
 
 "Good! Our Roosevelt looks after the Riders. 
 He's going to Santiago this afternoon to hustle for 
 better grub and more tents for us. I am to accom- 
 pany him. He was at Siboney yesterday." 
 
 Notwithstanding the removal of the regiment from 
 the miry depths among the entrenchments, sickness 
 continued to prevail, many of the men being stricken 
 with fever of a malarial type; and while Cuba was 
 charged with the causes, it may be that some re- 
 sulted from the conditions in Texas and Florida 
 prior to the embarkation. 
 
 A few days later Sergeant Fenton sat in a ward 
 of the hospital at Siboney. Upon a cot beside him 
 rested the emaciated form of Johnny Upswich. A 
 fever had seized him and he lay in its last stages. 
 Having aroused to consciousness, his eyes, lighted 
 by the attachment which warmed his heart, dwelt 
 steadfastly on the young man. 
 
 "Do you feel better, Johnny?" 
 
 "Perhaps I feel easier, Sergeant, but " he re- 
 
 114
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 plied, hesitatingly, a shade of anxiety sweeping over 
 his wasted features. 
 
 ''What troubles you, Johnny?" 
 
 Making an apparent effort, the lad, in a voice halt- 
 ing and nearly inaudible, uttered these words : 
 
 "Colonel Roosevelt came to see me this morning. 
 He was so good and kind to me. I told him I thought 
 I should die." 
 
 " 'You can be saved from the fever, I think,' he 
 said and called the doctor to ask about me. He did 
 not answer right out that I was dying, but his voice 
 and the cast of his eyes gave it away. ' ' 
 
 "Have courage, Johnny. You may get well." 
 
 "No, Sergeant," he whispered. "An angel stood 
 by my bed last night and I know that I shall never 
 see home again and shall never " 
 
 Chester waited for the sentence to be finished ; but 
 the boy's lips merely moved, no sound issuing from 
 them. 
 
 "Can I do anything for you!" Chester soothed, 
 placing the fevered one's hair back from his fore- 
 head. 
 
 For awhile Johnny seemed unable to speak, but 
 in a minute or two he panted : 
 
 "There is a kid in San Antonio that I used to 
 know Ernest Good. He was my chum and we 
 always went everywhere together." 
 
 "That was nice. What more, Johnny?" 
 
 "Why, Sergeant, find him when you go back. Tell 
 him good-by and give him my revolver and belt ? ' ' 
 
 115
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "I shall find him and do all you ask, Johnny dear." 
 
 Trembling movement again played upon his lips. 
 Although Chester observed it, he did not fully under- 
 stand what was passing in the mind of his young 
 companion. 
 
 "You are tired," he gently spoke. "I must be 
 still until you feel better." 
 
 1 'Now!" replied the boy, marking the word with 
 some degree of energy. 
 
 Then he looked longingly at Fenton whom he had 
 happily served. The young man patted the boy's 
 hand and again smoothed his hair. 
 
 "Something more, Johnny!" 
 
 ' * That kid has a sister. Her name is Hazel she 's 
 the handsomest and best girl that ever lived," he 
 affirmed, with new-born animation. 
 
 Chester smiled and nodded his acquiescence. 
 Glimpses of his own young love came flashing into 
 his consciousness. 
 
 "She was in my class at school and she's the 
 smartest well, she could just answer everything we 
 studied," continued Johnny. "After my mother 
 died, Hazel used to mend my clothes. She made me 
 lots of things." 
 
 * * Indeed ! She is a good girl a rare good girl ! ' ' 
 
 * * She wrote to me when I was at Tampa, and once 
 since I came to Santiago. I got the letters. Please 
 draw my jacket from under my pillow. ' ' 
 
 Chester did as requested. 
 
 "They are in the side pocket. Please take them 
 
 116
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 out and return them to her, so that she'll know that 
 I cared for them." 
 
 The pocket was carefully fastened with pins. Ee- 
 moving them, the sergeant found a little package 
 with newspaper covering. It contained the precious 
 letters. 
 
 "I wrote to her several times and I thought she 
 might like to keep them together." 
 
 The boy seemed exhausted. His speaking eyes 
 rested on the soldier, while a deep look of gratitude 
 took possession of his countenance. After a short 
 time, he spoke again: 
 
 "I have some money in my pants' pocket. Give 
 her that ; and if any more is coming to me, that too. ' ' 
 
 * ' Yes, Johnny. I will do everything you say, ' ' re- 
 plied Chester, his voice choking and his eyes drop- 
 ping tears. 
 
 "And give her the cross-guns on my cap and 
 the regiment and company numbers and tell her 
 that I remembered her goodness and if God lets 
 me, I'll watch over her when I am dead, so that 
 nothing may harm her." 
 
 Here he broke down completely and lay back on 
 the couch, his eyes fastened on Sergeant Fenton. 
 
 "I shall see her and explain everything, Johnny. 
 I will let her know what a true, manly boy you have 
 been." 
 
 This moved the lad profoundly. His wasted fin- 
 gers tightly grasped the other's hand and he smiled 
 
 117
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 as if he were very happy. Gradually his eyes closed, 
 his last look being fixed on the young officer. 
 
 1 ' Dear Sergeant Hazel sweet ' 
 
 Chester, his own eyes now streaming, whispered 
 in the boy 's ear : 
 
 "Dear, good Johnny the hero boy. She shall know 
 it all!" 
 
 A happy, contented smile wreathed the face of the 
 dying boy, as with a gentle sigh he sank to the ever- 
 lasting rest. But when the All-Father shall as- 
 semble the great of earth, Johnny will be of the num- 
 ber. 
 
 In obedience to military orders, the boy was buried 
 on the day of his death. At the head of the grave 
 Chester set up a wooden tablet on which he had en- 
 graved the following words: 
 
 "JOHNNY UPSWICH 
 
 the 
 BOY HERO 
 
 of 
 SAN JUAN HEIGHTS." 
 
 As the young man was setting it into its place, 
 Colonel Eoosevelt came along. Stopping, he raised 
 his hat, remarking: 
 
 "Well done, Sergeant Fenton. That marks the 
 resting place of a noble boy. ' ' 
 
 After a few days August the seventh arrived ; and 
 with it came the embarkation of the Rough Riders 
 on the transport Miami, bound for a northern port. 
 The time spent in Cuba had wrought many changes. 
 
 118
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 A number of the brave men who had composed the 
 regiment were left in soldiers' graves, while others 
 were still sick in the hospital. 
 
 The ship was kept in excellent sanitary condition 
 by the management of Colonel Roosevelt. He also 
 arranged a pleasant voyage for the men, who made 
 many talks about football and baseball teams in col- 
 lege sports, desperate prowess in Indian fighting, 
 the breaking up of outlaw gangs, adventures in hunt- 
 ing big game, in broncho busting, and many other 
 things. The men telling the stories, seemed to be 
 filled with countless memories. 
 
 The destination of the military band on board the 
 Miami was Montauk, on the eastern end of Long Isl- 
 and. This was reached on the ninth day of the voy- 
 age. When the vessel came near the dock, it was 
 cheered by hundreds of steam whistles belonging 
 to all kinds of craft which had assembled to welcome 
 the Bough Riders home. The shouting of the thou- 
 sands along the shore was uproarious. While it was 
 in progress the band on board the Miami struck up 
 1 1 When Johnny Comes Marching Home!" 
 
 "Hurrah! They're home!" shouted a crowd on 
 the beach. 
 
 The ship was at length brought to dock. As the 
 men of the regiment walked down the gangplank, 
 the salutations were warm and hearty. When Roose- 
 velt appeared, many pushed forward to meet him; 
 but as Mrs. General John A. Logan showed great 
 anxiety to reach him, others gave way and the lady, 
 
 119
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 running up to him, took his hand in a twofold clasp : 
 
 "General Roosevelt," she exclaimed, "we wel- 
 come you home from your heroic, noble work in 
 Cuba." 
 
 "Thank you, madam. We have endeavored to be 
 true to our country." 
 
 A little later Roosevelt stepped among a crowd of 
 the Bough Riders. 
 
 "Well, boys," he exclaimed, "I bring news. Spain 
 has agreed to our terms." 
 
 "Jolly good! Bully good! Let 'em snooze!" 
 were some of the return cries. 
 
 When the shouts of the soldiers had subsided, 
 their commander added: 
 
 "We are again in the Fatherland. Let us all en- 
 deavor to regain vigorous health. ' ' 
 
 "Rah, for our master!" shouted a bronzed Col- 
 oradan. * ' May his shadow keep on a-booming ! ' ' 
 
 The response was a hearty one. The officer took 
 off his hat and swung it back and forth in reply. 
 Soon he again spoke: 
 
 "Let us pick out a site then get our tents up. Af- 
 terwards we'll see about food." 
 
 The place for the camp was chosen near beautiful 
 rolling plains, thickly studded with pools which were 
 white with water lilies. The men cheerily began 
 work. Chester had charge of a hearty band from 
 New Mexico. In a short time they had prepared the 
 ground and had the sides of their canvas homes 
 gently swelling in the breeze. 
 
 120
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 4 'That's it," complimented Roosevelt, as he 
 passed by. * ' Make everything spick and span ! ' ' 
 
 "Sure, General. That's what we are aiming at!" 
 
 This was the beginning of the camp at Montauk 
 Point. Under the direction of the commander it was 
 kept in fine condition. 
 
 "Like a camp of West Pointers," declared one of 
 the Eiders. "Sickness is unheard of except those 
 that were out of whack when we landed. Every- 
 body else is getting strong as an ox." 
 
 For pastime the men engaged in many of the 
 amusements and sports which are distinctively west- 
 ern in their character. Things had, perhaps, gone 
 on thus for two weeks, when a rumor reached the 
 Rough Riders that there were a number of horses 
 belonging to another cavalry regiment of Roosevelt's 
 brigade in the camp, which were beyond the control 
 of their owners ; one especially was so wild and un- 
 broken in spirit that no soldier of any troop could 
 be found to ride it. 
 
 * * Let 'em fetch it over here and we '11 trim it up ! " 
 declared a Rider from Arizona. 
 
 When the attention of Colonel Roosevelt was called 
 to it, he remarked: 
 
 * * We have got many men who can ride as wild an 
 animal as was ever known on the Plains. Sergeant 
 Fenton is one of them." 
 
 This being related to the young man he assured : 
 "Yes, I willtry it out." 
 
 Accordingly, with a formidable Texas port bit in 
 
 121
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 its mouth the creature was brought over for a test. 
 Chester came from his tent and, seeing the mouth- 
 piece, said: 
 
 "Boys, change that chain-port for the ordinary 
 cavalry bit." 
 
 A number of visitors were in the camp. On that 
 day the request to tame the horse was made, several 
 government officials with their wives were present. 
 All came to see the "bronco busting." When the 
 vicious creature was brought out and the person 
 to mount it made his appearance, the ladies de- 
 clared they could not remain. 
 
 "The horse is such a wicked-looking thing," they 
 exclaimed. * l It will kill that young sergeant. ' ' 
 
 "Fenton, the young man who is to ride it, can 
 ride anything," they were informed. 
 
 The animal was trying to jerk away from the 
 trooper who had brought it. Chester took the reins 
 into his own hand. As the creature backed this 
 way and that, he followed, giving it a free rein. Wait- 
 ing his opportunity, with a single spring from the 
 ground, he was settled in the saddle. Then followed 
 an unequal scene of bucking, prancing, resisting and 
 jumping. The youth kept his seat with wonderful 
 skill, resisting every attempt to shake or throw him 
 from the saddle. He used his heavy Mexican spurs 
 in a variety of ways ; sometimes on the flank, again 
 on the very breast of the fighting animal. 
 
 "He will be killed!" declared the wife of a cabinet 
 officer. ' ' See the blazing eyes of that creature ! ' ' 
 
 122
 
 ROUGH RIDERS IN CUBA AND THE FATHERLAND. 
 
 1 'Wait. You will find that the rider can master 
 it." 
 
 The horse had broken out into a foam and was 
 exerting every energy to throw the man who sat up- 
 on its back. Suddenly it reared so toweringly in 
 the air that Chester, although he threw himself for- 
 ward beside the animal's neck, could not restore the 
 lost balance and the fighter-horse fell over on its 
 back. 
 
 * ' There, there ! He 's killed ! ' ' cried a lady. ' ' What 
 an awful sight!" 
 
 Fenton, however, had dextrously disengaged him- 
 self and stood beside the fallen brute, cooly holding 
 the reins. 
 
 "Don't get on him any more," called a voice from 
 among the spectators. 
 
 Quickly the nervy beast arose to its feet; but it 
 was scarce erect before the young tamer was on its 
 back. Again the battle raged, and it continued un- 
 til the horse was thoroughly cowed. So completely 
 was the victory that the prodding of the rider's long- 
 timed spurs would only cause it to move a step, toss 
 its head and give a low grunt. 
 
 Chester now got off and went to the creature 's 
 head. He patted it and rubbed it between the eyes, 
 then mounted slowly, placing his feet in the stirrup 
 and deliberately raising himself to the saddle. All 
 this was accomplished without an effort on the part 
 of the horse to disturb him. The act was repeated 
 several times with the same result. 
 
 123
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 The youth then rode over to the keeper and dis- 
 mounting handed him the reins. Immediately an or- 
 derly came forward and conducted the sergeant to 
 Colonel Roosevelt's headquarters where he was in- 
 troduced to a number of the visiting ladies and 
 gentlemen. 
 
 On September the fourteenth orders were received 
 to discharge honorably the Rough Riders from fur- 
 ther service. That evening there was an unusual 
 celebration. Comrades talked over the exploits oc- 
 curring while they had been together. Pledges to 
 remember and visit one another as time would per- 
 mit, were made over and over. Bonfires were kin- 
 dled and the evening closed in a blaze of light. Be- 
 fore the men retired to their tents there was hearty 
 hand-shaking with many kind words of farewell. 
 
 On the next day, September the fifteenth, the First 
 United States Volunteer Cavalry was mustered out 
 of the military service. Before separating, Colonel 
 Roosevelt spoke to the men of the regiment, giving 
 them many kind and praiseworthy words, closing 
 by saying that they would for awhile be regarded as 
 heroes, but afterwards they must endeavor to be- 
 come good citizens. Then all the troops passed in 
 lines before the colonel, each man shaking hands 
 with him and bidding farewell. Then the breaking 
 up was general. 
 
 124
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 While in camp at Montauk Sergeant Fenton con- 
 fided to Colonel Roosevelt that he should enter the 
 regular army if he could secure a commission. 
 
 "A number of appointments have already been 
 made," Colonel Roosevelt stated. ''Still others are 
 pending. Write to the secretary of war for inform- 
 ation and assistance in the matter." 
 
 * * You will give me a statement ? ' ' 
 
 11 Certainly I will." 
 
 Chester wrote and sent forward papers contain- 
 ing many kind words from those under whom he had 
 served. Thus it happened that when the Rough 
 Riders were disbanded on September the fifteenth 
 four months after they had been mustered into the 
 service, Chester received, with his discharge papers, 
 an appointment as lieutenant in the army, subject to 
 passing the usual examination of those seeking mili- 
 tary service. 
 
 The young soldier was overjoyed. Visions of a 
 charming maid and a beautiful home filled his mind. 
 
 "Dear Dorothy, I am winning out. This success 
 will enable me to claim you." 
 
 Acting under the advice of the regimental officers, 
 Chester set out at once for Leavenworth to take the 
 
 125
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 required examination. Arriving in that city two 
 days before the date of the ordeal, he applied him- 
 self zealously to enlarge his knowledge of the 
 branches in which he was to be tested. 
 
 "I shall go through all right," he averred, "and 
 the higher markings I secure will give me better 
 standing for the future." 
 
 While attending school during his boyhood he 
 had been a good student. "Almost brilliant," his 
 teachers in the high school reported. So he felt 
 confident of his ability to "pass." 
 
 The day came and, in company with several other 
 young men, he went to the place in which the exami- 
 nation was to be held and took the seat assigned 
 to him. The elderly man in charge, beneath whose 
 shaggy brows his gray eyes winked and blinked, 
 closely watched the persons who were engaged in 
 writing the answers to the questions submitted. An 
 assistant distributed the lists. After that he moved 
 about among the workers. 
 
 Thus the work of the examination progressed. In 
 the afternoon all were busy with geometry. Some 
 of the theorems and the problems were a little diffi- 
 cult for Chester, yet he did not doubt his ability to 
 perform them. While engaged in thought he sat 
 back in his seat and his eyes wandered about the 
 room. Quite unexpectedly, the examiner appeared 
 before him. 
 
 "Hand me that paper," he demanded. 
 
 Having received it, he continued : 
 
 126
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 "You are excused till the next subject." 
 
 "I have not finished, sir," exclaimed Chester. 
 
 "Yes, you have finished. You were copying from 
 this man's paper." 
 
 "Why, I never thought of such a thing! I have 
 not copied a line or a word ! ' ' 
 
 With a dangerous eye the man stood looking at 
 him. The youth saw and knew that it would not do 
 to argue or he might be dismissed summarily from 
 the examination. 
 
 "I am sorry you think so," he faltered. "I will 
 return, if you please, to take history." 
 
 Not another word was added by the apparently 
 irate examiner. So Chester passed from the room. 
 
 A similar case, although Fenton had merely 
 straightened himself in his seat, was enacted on the 
 following day when algebra was under consideration. 
 As the youth was about to leave the room, he turned 
 about and asked the man at what time he might take 
 the subjects missed, for he had been told before be- 
 ginning the examination that a supplementary trial 
 would be given to all who failed in two subjects 
 alone. 
 
 "A month from now." 
 
 "In this place?" 
 
 "Eight here." 
 
 With despondent heart, Chester left the room. 
 Not harboring delay, however, he employed one of 
 the best mathematicians in the city to coach him in 
 the two subjects, algebra and geometry. Explain- 
 
 127
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ing the situation, he wrote to President McKinley, 
 to the secretary of war, and to his late commander, 
 Theodore Roosevelt. Without making any charge 
 of favoritism against the examiner, he told his simple 
 story to all. He asserted to each his innocence of 
 any thought or purpose of being unfair. He added 
 that his conduct had been misjudged. 
 
 Just how all those letters were interpreted may 
 never be known ; yet he received a kind answer from 
 Colonel Roosevelt. Certain it is that in less than 
 fifteen days a senator from a western state had 
 obtained from President McKinley the appointment 
 of a politician's son from the district designated in 
 Chester's papers relating to his commission. This 
 destroyed the young man 's opportunity and blighted 
 his hope. 
 
 "I am beaten!" he cried aloud. "What can I 
 do?" 
 
 "It's a trick!" he exclaimed, "a trick! The ex- 
 aminer was bound to beat some of the examined to 
 make room for the sons of certain persons he fav- 
 ored. He chose me as one of the victims because 
 he concluded that I had no strong influence." 
 
 "I wrote to Dorothy that I expected to be a lieu- 
 tenant. I am knocked out of it ! not by those high 
 in authority but by subordinates. Colonel Roose- 
 velt would have given me the place if it had been 
 in his power. Who did it? The man in charge of 
 the examination." 
 
 "I didn't fail in the examination. I should have 
 
 128
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 passed in geometry and algebra if he had not 
 cheated me didn 't even allow me to finish. He threw 
 me down!" 
 
 For days he walked the streets, continually be- 
 wailing his illfortune. He also wrote a number of 
 letters to members of congress and to army officers 
 with whom he had become acquainted while at San- 
 tiago. Notwithstanding, he received no satisfactory 
 response. At length he gave up all hope and deter- 
 mined to go westward. 
 
 In the latter part of October he was again in San 
 Diego. He thought of seeking employment, yet his 
 heart led him to visit San Ysidra. 
 
 "I must learn," he declared, "how matters are 
 now progressing." 
 
 He could not refrain from the thought that the 
 death of Mrs. Strathmore placed Dorothy in an em- 
 barrassing position. Moreover, he wished to ascer- 
 tain what reception awaited him from the chief of 
 the island. 
 
 "I must find out how things are," he sighed. 
 "Otherwise I cannot live." 
 
 After the passing of a number of days, he stood 
 on the soil of Mexico at a point fronting San Ysidra, 
 gazing upon its low-lying cliffs. 
 
 "How am I going to get across," he appealed. 
 "No boat, no nothing." 
 
 In a strangely unsettled, nerveless condition for 
 hours he wandered up and down the beach, his eyes 
 chiefly turned in one direction. 
 
 129
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ' ' Of course, I know it would bother me to get over ; 
 there is no other way except to come and abide my 
 chance." 
 
 Tired at last, he sat down on the earth where it 
 overlooked the water. His gaze was steadily directed 
 toward the land of enchantment. 
 
 "A craft is coming this way!" he exclaimed, after 
 some hours had passed. "I see it plainly. It's more 
 than half way across. ' ' 
 
 Anxiously he waited and watched. It was later 
 when suddenly he sprang from the ground and with 
 glistening eyes cried out : 
 
 " Strathmore 's launch and no mistake!" 
 
 A creaking and grinding of wheels behind him 
 attracted his attention. Turning about he saw a 
 Mexican carreta, drawn by a yoke of oxen, coming 
 down the trail toward the landing. 
 
 It was a clumsy cart. The animals which drew 
 it were placed between heavy shafts. Each wheel 
 was a solid wooden roller, cut from the body of a 
 huge sycamore tree no spokes, hubs nor tires, the 
 axle projecting through a central hole. 
 
 "Stuff for the island," he commented, as he no- 
 ticed that it was heavily laden. "That explains 
 the coming of Strathmore." 
 
 When the boat swung around to a spot chosen 
 for a landing-place, the King of the Lonelies stepped 
 out. Chester went toward him. 
 
 "Hello!" cried Strathmore. "Thought you were 
 with the army." 
 
 130
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 "So I was," returned the young man. "But now 
 it is disbanded." 
 
 ' * Oh, that 's it. Well, if you want to go across with 
 me, take hold and help to load this plunder, then 
 we '11 start." 
 
 Filled with rejoicing at the man's bearing, Ches- 
 ter began to carry out the proposed conditions with 
 zealous movement. Strathmore had brought one of 
 his herders, so with the driver of the oxen, there 
 were four workers. This resulted in a rapid ex- 
 change of the commodities from the carreta to the 
 craft. This done, the three who were to make the 
 trip to the island went aboard. 
 
 "Sit there, Fenton," directed the master. "Take 
 in the scenery and enjoy sailing across." 
 
 Strathirorc, taking charge of the tiller, the herder 
 handling the motor, the vessel soon swung away 
 from the shore into the gently swelling waters of 
 the Pacific. When it reached the little cove near 
 the dwelling on San Ysidra, the western sun was 
 tinging the island with gold, imparting to its ver- 
 dure a beauty indefinable. Beckoning to Chester, 
 King Oscar led the way to the home. When they 
 had entered, motioning toward a chair, he spoke in 
 a low tone : 
 
 "Sit. Supper will be ready after awhile." 
 
 Turning towards the door, he was about to leave 
 the room when he abruptly swung around and, 
 drawing a roll of unopened papers from his pocket, 
 
 131
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 he dropped them in the young man 's lap. Speaking 
 again in an unsteady voice, he remarked: 
 
 "Take off the covers and read." 
 
 Left alone Chester sat in a state of tremor and 
 anxiety, believing that Dorothy would at once make 
 her appearance. With hesitating, yet impatient 
 tread, he moved around the apartment. Knowing 
 how to reach the kitchen, his thought prompted him 
 to go there. Entering, he unexpectedly ran against 
 a Chinese cook, whose bobbing head was jauntily 
 attired with a little white cap. He was kneading 
 dough in a wooden trough. 
 
 "Huh!" grunted the peril, "you comee dis place? 
 Boss know you comee?" 
 
 "Yes," replied Chester. "I came with Strath- 
 more. Where's Dorothy?" 
 
 The Chinman shrugged his shoulders and shook 
 his head until his cap seemed in danger of precipi- 
 tation into the dough. 
 
 "Dollie tee? Me no savvy." 
 
 Gazing steadily upon Chester, he puckered his al- 
 mond orbs and again gave emphatic denial with his 
 head. 
 
 "Boss in loom?" he asked, pointing in the direc- 
 tion Chester had come. 
 
 As Fenton shook his head, the yellow peril did the 
 same. 
 
 "Alsk boss," he finally muttered, thrusting his 
 whitened fingers into the plastic mass before him. 
 "Boss know." 
 
 132
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 "Know! Of course he knows," impatiently re- 
 torted the youth, turning away. 
 
 * ' Huh ! ' ' concluded the worker in dough. ' * Go fine 
 she." 
 
 In thise case, "she" indicated the proprietor, but 
 the caller quickly left the culinary apartment to 
 continue his search. He hastened through other por- 
 tions of the house breathing, sometimes speaking 
 aloud, the name "Dorothy." Still he could not find 
 the object of his quest. At length he returned to 
 the room where Strathmore had left him and again 
 sat down. Then he tore off the cover of one of the 
 papers and began to read. 
 
 Any trifling sound or stir caused him to raise his 
 eyes and look around the room. The brushing of 
 the leaves of a shrub over the outside of a window 
 pane was sufficient to call him from his seat and 
 enter upon a voyage of inquiry. This and other un- 
 explained sounds led to a number of trips which 
 ended in a failure to learn the whereabouts of Dor- 
 othy. 
 
 By the time the king and his followers came in 
 for the evening meal, Chester had worked himself in- 
 to a nervous condition of high tension. When all 
 sat up to the table, there was no Dorothy, no woman 
 present, the Chinaman placing the food in order 
 and serving as a waiter. The youth kept glancing 
 about as if he expected to see the girl enter the 
 room. His appetite failed and it was with some 
 difficulty that he choked down any of the food placed 
 
 133
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 before him. From time to time he looked inquir- 
 ingly at Strathmore hoping he might offer an ex- 
 planation of the maiden's absence. 
 
 After all had withdrawn from the table the pro- 
 prietor turned to Fenton and made the simple re- 
 mark: 
 
 ''You may occupy the room that you had when 
 you were here before." 
 
 "Thank you," returned the guest, his reply seem- 
 ing like a query, for his mind was wholly absorbed 
 by the remembrance of Dorothy. 
 
 One by one the workers of the ranch passed out, 
 until Strathmore and Chester were the sole occu- 
 pants of the apartment. Unable to contain himself 
 longer, the youth broached the subject of his pre- 
 ponderating thought. 
 
 "Is Dorothy away from home?" 
 
 "Dorothy? Yes, I thought you knew." 
 
 Chester arose. There was something in the tone 
 of the response something in the lineaments and 
 pose of the countenance of King Oscar which pro- 
 foundly moved the youth. 
 
 "Knew!" he faltered. Knew? What do you 
 mean?" 
 
 Strathmore had sprung to his feet. With a sweep 
 of his arm and a voice that crashed into the soul of 
 Chester, he answered: 
 
 "She is gone! Kan away with an English Count!" 
 "Kan away!" echoed the other, quivering vio- 
 lently and turning ghastly pale. Gripping his in- 
 
 134
 
 CHESTER FENTON MEETS MISFORTUNE. 
 
 formant by the arm, he craved in broken tones, "tell 
 me what you mean?" 
 
 "The yacht of a lousy Englishman calling him- 
 self Count Distairre was driven on the island by 
 stress of weather. I took the rascal in and cared 
 for him, housing his boat until the storm had passed. 
 He rewarded me by stealing my daughter!" 
 
 "She went off with him?" asked Chester, his face 
 ashy white and marked by strange contortions, ' ' and 
 married him?" 
 
 "I suppose she married him!" slowly replied the 
 island ranchman. "If I ever run across him, he'll 
 prove up or 
 
 The stepfather, his eyes blazing with a fierce light, 
 grated his teeth and strongly clenched his hands, his 
 face wreathing with an apparent deadly look. 
 
 "You'll kill him! for if he has betrayed her, I 
 will kill him, ' ' pronounced the young man, releasing 
 his hold upon the other and sinking back into his 
 chair. 
 
 He sat but a moment, when springing to his feet, 
 he took great strides across the room, then back, 
 holding his hands pressed to the sides of his head. 
 Thus he walked for some minutes. At length, 
 Strathmore, brushing his eyes in a quick, impulsive 
 manner, stepped aside and passing through the door 
 left Chester to bear his grief alone. Soon he returned 
 and impressively set forth : 
 
 "I had it in mind to leave you and Dorothy this 
 island ranch. She has gone back on me. If you 
 
 135
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 stay here and become a son to me, you shall in time 
 have it all." 
 
 Chester looked up. He was suffering unspeakable 
 anguish. Not a tear seemed moistening his eyes, for 
 his feelings were beyond much palliation. His set 
 gaze rested on Strathmore for a moment, while his 
 lips remained silent ; then with a voice ungovernably 
 vibrant, he replied: 
 
 "You are kind good but I don't know that I 
 could stand it I don't know." 
 
 "Well, take time to think it over." 
 
 The ranchman then withdrew. 
 
 136
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 Left alone, Chester dropped into a chair. His 
 head sank into his hands. For a long time he re- 
 mained thus, occasionally uttering words: 
 " Dorothy, did you run?" 
 
 It was a half -hour or more before he arose and 
 went out. Passing to th6 places which formerly had 
 been sacred to him, he came to the arbor where he 
 had declared his love. The sun was gone and the 
 moon alone was pouring light through the entrance. 
 Going in, he stood for some minutes by the little 
 wicker bench where he and his loved one had sat. 
 Kneeling down, he stretched out his arms over the 
 woven osiers. 
 
 ''Dorothy, dear," he wailed, "did you leave me?" 
 Raising his hands heavenward, he clasped them, 
 holding them thus for some minutes. 
 "Dorothy, did you mean to fool- 
 He sprang to his feet. The idea had come to his 
 mind with a rush. For a moment he gazed on the 
 overhanging vines clustering the doorway. 
 
 "Never!" he despaired. "She was honest, true 
 and good. The man who came here was the deceiver. 
 He" 
 
 137
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Standing for a minute wringing his hands, he 
 suddenly burst forth: 
 
 "No, no, no. Not Dorothy!" 
 
 He turned around and kneeling down placed his 
 cheek against that part of the osier seat where his 
 beloved had rested. 
 
 "Dorothy! It was not your fault!" he moaned, 
 a little later, looking about the arbor. "Leave me, 
 base thought!" 
 
 At a later hour when he thought a due considera- 
 tion of Strathmore and his helpers required him to 
 enter the house and retire to his room, he did so, but 
 not to find rest. For a long time he sat up in a large 
 chair, his body swaying back and forth. At length 
 he lay down ; yet he did not close his eyes for sleep. 
 He tossed restlessly and during the hours interven- 
 ing between his retirement and sunrise, a time which 
 to him seemed interminable, tears streamed over his 
 cheeks, wetting the pillow on which his head lay. 
 The stroke had fallen on his boyhood love a love 
 that had sunk deeply into his heart and soul, holding 
 him captive with unyielding bands. It seemed to him 
 that everything in life had gone, that to live longer 
 were undesirable, superflous. 
 
 "Nothing! Nothing more!" he cried aloud. 
 * * There is nothing left in life ! Why should I make 
 further struggle?" 
 
 Then he arose from the bed and walked the floor. 
 
 "Dorothy gone! What is left? What? Abso- 
 lutely nothing!" 
 
 138
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 Putting his hands back of his head, he continued 
 pacing the floor, muttering wildly as he moved : 
 
 "I want to die!" 
 
 Suddenly he stopped and gazed about in the dim 
 light. 
 
 "I wish a Spaniard had struck me in the heart in- 
 stead of my arm ! ' ' 
 
 With the first lines of day, he was up and out of 
 doors. Strathmore noted, but very carefully kept 
 out of view. 
 
 "Let him wrestle it out," he mused. "It seized 
 me mighty bad at first banged if I knew what I 
 was about but time helps things a little. ' ' 
 
 A day or two passed and Chester was sitting with 
 King Oscar. 
 
 "San Ysidra is about right, isn't it?" asked the 
 latter. 
 
 "It is beautiful, indeed and the products all 
 things are exceedingly good." 
 
 "Then call off trouble and let good cheer steal 
 upon you for a round or two." 
 
 "I wish I could. But Dorothy she was everything 
 for me ! " 
 
 "And for me, young man. After Maggie died, 
 that girl carried sunshine into every corner of the 
 house and in a measure drove sorrow out ! ' ' 
 
 These words absorbed Chester who unconsciously 
 placed his hand on Strathmore 's arm. Removing it 
 his eyes filled with moisture, although he struggled 
 to hold himself in check. 
 
 139
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 ''But she went away," he sighed. 
 
 " Coaxed away, cajoled away, lured away! But 
 we've got to stand all that unless I overhaul the 
 cuss!" 
 
 "You or I!" 
 
 "Well, one of us. I have whacked myself a hun- 
 dred times because I didn't let you take her when 
 you were here. But that opportunity has gone." 
 
 "Oh, if you had! How different it would be ! Oh, 
 how different!" 
 
 * * Certainly ; but the thing is done and we may as 
 well take a good brace. ' ' 
 
 "Do you think it?" mechanically answered 
 Chester. 
 
 "Get busy around the place and let up a little on 
 trouble. See?" 
 
 "Maybe, Mr. Strathmore. You are very kind to 
 me. Your offer is one that fills me with gratitude 
 it is so bountiful, so kind yet 
 
 "There comes the 'yet!' Shake it off, Fenton, 
 shake it off!" 
 
 "I cannot, try as I will. I think that I must go 
 away somewhere see if I can feel differently. Then 
 I may be able " 
 
 "Very well, very well. In a couple of days I am 
 going to Parks and I will take you over if you then 
 think as you do to-day." 
 
 Parks is the name given to the landing, and in ac- 
 cordance with the proposition of King Oscar, on the 
 
 140
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 third day following Chester crossed from the island 
 to that place. 
 
 ' * Get straightened, then come back to San Ysidra. 
 Afterwards we'll move along together," quoth his 
 host, as Fenton stepped ashore. 
 
 "Mr. Strathmore, I can never forget your kind- 
 ness it will stay with me," exclaimed the youth, 
 grasping his hand. "Good-by." 
 
 "Good-by for awhile. I shall be looking for you 
 so don't stay away long." 
 
 After he had landed, Chester struck out upon the 
 trail which led up to the foothills, thence toward the 
 north. Thus he tramped to reach San Diego. On a 
 morning, clear and beautiful, he was near that city. 
 The cry of a bird arrested his attention. Glancing 
 upward, he saw a hawk in swift flight after a Cali- 
 fornia woodpecker. The latter in full career struck 
 a telegraph wire and fell fluttering at his feet. The 
 bird of prey, sailing in a broad curve, avoided the 
 fate of its victim and began to soar away. He had 
 drawn his revolver and instantly making a dis- 
 charge, the hawk, after a momentary struggle, fell 
 in tortuous revolution to the earth. 
 
 Chester went to where the pretty woodpecker lay 
 with broken wing. It writhed around in circles. 
 Picking up the little creature, he gently placed the 
 shattered limb in its natural position. Darting his 
 eyes toward the fallen hawk, he muttered : 
 
 "The work of Distairre over again!" 
 
 Some minutes passed before he put the wounded 
 
 141 -
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 bird in a soft bed of moss. Then he walked forward 
 and entered San Diego. 
 
 "How different everything looks!" he cried. 
 
 Before entering the business part of the city, he 
 thought he would walk around to some of his for- 
 mer visiting places. Beaching the railroad tracks, 
 a freight train eastward bound, was switching cars 
 back and forth. A sudden impulse to leave the West 
 seized him ; so he climbed into the ice-box of a fruit 
 car bound for a city on the Missouri river. It was so 
 late in the year that ice was not used ; he therefore 
 rode uninterrupted for some hundreds of miles. 
 
 He had several stops and each time was imperiled 
 by the thought of suicide. After the lapse of weeks, 
 he was at Portrance, a town of Kansas. Penniless, 
 for all his savings had slipped from him, he walked 
 along the neatly kept streets. Somewhat wearied, he 
 stopped before a brightly illuminated department 
 store, looking at the window display while in a 
 deeply thoughtful mood. 
 
 ' ' I am hanging on and dragging around, ' ' he mut- 
 tered "but what's the use. There's nothing invit- 
 ing me. I was given a lieutenancy for services ren- 
 dered. Dear Eoosevelt figured for me, but I was 
 knocked out!" 
 
 In a few minutes, he murmured : 
 
 "Dorothy was stolen!" 
 
 Shaking his head in bitterness of spirit, he walked 
 on until he came to the electric light plant. Again he 
 halted and looked aimlessly around. 
 
 142
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 "I won't blame her," he breathed, "but it left me 
 >> 
 
 "By jings!" cried a voice. "Ef there ain't the 
 Santa Fe kid!" 
 
 Chester whirled around and the Arizona copper 
 magnate was before him. 
 
 ' * Je-roos-lum ! ' ' continued the hobo, * ' I left you at 
 a good ranch and here you turn up in Portrance." 
 
 Chester did not reply but stood looking at the 
 unwelcome individual. 
 
 "Look-a-yere, Santa Fe. Hev ye lost yer jaw 
 rag?" 
 
 "No but I wasn't looking for you just now." 
 
 "Allus drop in when folks ain't a lookin' fer me. 
 See?" 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 "Ben to grub?" 
 
 ' l Not this evening. ' ' 
 
 "Come on, then. We'll go an' fill up." 
 
 Saying this, he led the way into a cheap restaurant 
 Taking one of the high seats around a long, painted 
 counter, he motioned Chester to a place beside him. 
 
 "Climb up," he smacked. 
 
 "Say," he called out to a frowzy-headed waiter, 
 "set on a double header fer me an' this yere gentle- 
 man." 
 
 Having eaten an inferior meal, they arose and 
 went forth. 
 
 "Le's go an' take in the town," prompted the 
 Splint. 
 
 143
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Both meandered forth upon the street. They 
 walked around block after block of the business sec- 
 tion. Chester noted that his companion stopped a 
 long time before the windows of some stores. At dif- 
 ferent angles he peaked into their interiors. The 
 two lingered for some minutes in front of the post- 
 office, whose doors were closed for the night ; yet all 
 lights being extinguished except one in the rear, 
 through the openings of the glass boxes they saw the 
 master put a tray of coin and other articles into a 
 safe a small, cheap looking affair. 
 
 "Come on back to whar I met ye," twanged the 
 hobo. "Thar's a daisy warm place thar back uv 
 the bilers. Git a nap wuth havin ' ! " 
 
 Going to the electric light plant, they passed 
 around from the front to a rear entrance. Men 
 within were busy stuffing coal into the flaming mael- 
 stroms. In the flashes of light issuing from open 
 fire-doors, they appeared like imps of darkness, 
 wearing but little clothing, although their heads were 
 swathed in red bandannas. Not speaking a word the 
 two slipped into a narrow passage between the wall 
 and the ends of the steam generators and crawled on 
 a shelving of earth that lay behind yet not far dis- 
 tant from the boilers. Stretching themselves out, 
 they soon fell asleep. 
 
 After some hours had elapsed and Chester was in 
 profound slumber, he slowly became cognizant of a 
 shaking from a grasp upon his shoulder. 
 ; Quit ! " he muttered. * ' Quit, I tell you ! ' ' 
 
 144 
 
 < 1 I
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 Notwithstanding his remonstrance, the disturbance 
 continued, while a voice whispered huskily in his 
 ear: 
 
 "Keep quiet and git awake ! Do you hear? Wake 
 yourself ! ' ' 
 
 The persistent vibration aroused the young man 
 at last so that he sat up. 
 
 "What's the matter?" he demanded. 
 
 "Say," muffled the voice of the tramp from 
 Arizona, "git up an' come along uv me." 
 
 "What for?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. 
 
 "Come, an' I'll let ye know," low toned the hobo. 
 
 Although stupid with sleep, Fenton obeyed by ris- 
 ing to his feet. The Splint leading, they crept back 
 and out upon the street. 
 
 "What now?" peremptorily questioned Chester. 
 
 ' ' Seein ' as ye 're short on cart-wheels, made up my 
 mind to git ye some." 
 
 "Do you mean money?" 
 
 "Er course! What the - - did ye reckon I 
 meant?" 
 
 * * I don 't want any can earn all I need, ' ' declared 
 Chester, the prowling in the darkness causing a 
 vague fear to steal over him. 
 
 "Look-a-yere!" growled the other, spinning sav- 
 agely around, "I've toted on the level an' so '11 ye, 
 by - , er suthin' ull break loose. I've got a little 
 pickin' ter do." 
 
 ' ' What do you mean ? ' ' 
 
 "Come ahead." 
 
 145
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 With irresolute movement, Chester followed. He 
 had not fully aroused from slumber and yawned at 
 almost every step. But as he dragged himself along, 
 a substitute consciousness seemed to present itself 
 with some slight carelessness. 
 
 "Perhaps it makes no difference," he thought. 
 "I'll see what he means." 
 
 They reached an alley and entered it. After they 
 had proceeded along its contracted course the dis- 
 tance of a half-block, looking forth for a moment the 
 leader mumbled: 
 
 "I've got a job yere an' I've got to hev a look- 
 out. Seel" 
 
 * ' A lookout f I can 't play the devil ! ' ' 
 
 The rascal drew a thirty-four Colt from his pocket 
 and held it close to Fenton 's face. 
 
 "You're going to help me Er I'll git even with 
 ye!" 
 
 * * Show me what you mean. ' ' 
 
 "I'll show ye." 
 
 Without another moment's hesitation, he took 
 from his clothing a bunch of skeleton keys and be- 
 gan to pick the lock of an outer door, looking around 
 every few seconds at his so-called "pard." It was 
 the rear opening of the postoffice ; although this fact 
 was at the time unknown to Chester. The common 
 rim mechanism which he attacked quickly yielded. 
 
 ' * Now your life and mine depends on watchin '. Do 
 ye hear? Ef any one comes along, put yer block in 
 this yere door an ' whistle. Ketch on f " 
 
 146
 
 FENTON DREAMS ABOUT SUICIDE. 
 
 "No I don't. I don't like the job." 
 
 * ' Say ! By ! " he growled, again drawing his 
 
 revolver. "Ef ye don't help I'll put a ball through 
 ye an' ef ye give me away, I've got pals that'll 
 split ye!" 
 
 Shaking his fist he disappeared. Chester waited 
 with impatience. He walked back and forth, and at 
 one time went to the farther end of the alley. Every- 
 thing was still and he could detect neither stir nor 
 movement. While he stood gazing down the street, 
 he determined to slip away. As he began to move, a 
 dull explosion occurred. For some reason he ran 
 back to the partially open door. Scarcely had he 
 reached it when the hobo came running out : 
 
 ' ' Come along ! " he growled. l ' Move yer stumps. ' ' 
 
 Without a word, Chester followed his flying com- 
 panion. The quick movement was continued until 
 they struck the railroad track. 
 
 " Yere," muffled the Splint, handing Chester a roll 
 of paper, ' * take this an ' shove it in your pocket. It '11 
 help ye to spondulix." 
 
 A barking of dogs and a mingling of men's voices 
 reached their ears. 
 
 "They're on the move, cuss 'em," howled the 
 tramp. ' ' We '11 have to be lively. ' ' 
 
 "Thar warn't no money but take this," he cau- 
 tioned, handing him a silver dollar. "It'll perwide 
 grub fer awhile." 
 
 * ' Say, we 'd better git apart you hike one way an ' 
 me tother an' min' ye, mum's the word." 
 
 147
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 Chester stood listening but made no reply. 
 
 11 Which way do ye want ter stretch? It ain't 
 more'n two o'clock. By daylight we kin be clink 
 outer these diggin's." 
 
 "I will go in this direction," determined Chester, 
 pointing north. 
 
 "S'long. Remember, there's no squealinV 
 
 148
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 "Better go on to the next town," bit the hobo in 
 a low blare, turning back. * ' Ye '11 find it a good place 
 to git a hand-out. ' ' 
 
 Chester took the middle of the track. 
 
 "My stars!" he incised. "What a pity I struck 
 that whelp!" 
 
 He had walked some distance when he heard the 
 beating of horses feet on the highway which ran be- 
 side the railroad. He stood and listened. Men's 
 voices, seemingly in anger, soon became audible 
 above the hoofbeat. 
 
 "Maybe they are after the thief," he whispered. 
 
 It was not many minutes before three horsemen 
 came plunging down a neighboring hill. Chester 
 stepped aside and went part down the embankment. 
 The night riders passed on the opposite side. 
 
 Soon the electric lights of a prairie village ap- 
 peared on the starlit horizon. When he reached it, 
 the darkness of night still overhung the earth. Think- 
 ing it gave an opportunity to evade the horsemen, he 
 passed on. 
 
 "I will go to the next place, at least that far I 
 will get away from the doings of that hobo. ' ' 
 
 "If he ever meets me again," Chester decided 
 
 149
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 after tramping some distance farther, "I will give 
 him the grand bounce. ' ' 
 
 11 There comes the daylight," he said, looking at 
 the grayish tinge in the eastern sky. "I think that I 
 may venture something to eat in the next town. ' ' 
 
 When the flaming rays that shot upward from the 
 rising sun became strong enough for him to read, he 
 drew from his pocket the roll of paper given to him 
 by his late companion. Untwisting the outer cover, 
 he gave a jump to one side as if he were stung. 
 
 ' * Stamps ! " he cried. " " The scamp handed over 
 what would convict me of looting a post-office ! ' ' 
 
 Looking around to see if any one was in sight, he 
 slid down the embankment to a culvert beneath the 
 track. Into that he tossed the offending bundle. He 
 then clambered back to the track and continued his 
 course. 
 
 1 'I am not going to be made a victim that easy," 
 he declared. "I am not very particular as to what 
 happens, but " 
 
 He hesitated and looked about upon the neighbor- 
 ing fields with eyes full of sadness. 
 
 ' ' All may go to pot ! " he muttered. ' ' Just as soon 
 die! Dorothy!" 
 
 The lone traveler was nearing a village settlement. 
 On the outskirts along the railroads, he came to an 
 eating-house one of a doubtful kind. Still he 
 entered and sat down on one of the counter-seats. 
 After taking breakfast he passed out and going back 
 up the roadway, lay down in a grove by the rails op- 
 
 150
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 posite the village. Lingering there several hours, he 
 noticed that at times horsemen came down to the rail- 
 road. They seemed to be watching the tracks. 
 
 At length a freight train pulled in and began shunt- 
 ing cars back and forth. Awaiting his opportunity, 
 he climbed a refrigerator car and slid unobserved 
 into the hatchway of the ice-box. In this he rode dur- 
 ing the day and the following night. 
 
 Late in the morning that succeeded, the train 
 stopped in the yards of a capital city. Nearly frozen 
 with the raw air of the December day and the chilli- 
 ness of his sleeping berth, he scrambled out upon the 
 roof of the car and trainmen not being in sight, he 
 went down the side-ladder to the rails. 
 
 Walking up the track and through the depot struc- 
 ture, he passed a man wearing a sealskin cap, who 
 stood talking with a companion. 
 
 "It is not known what way they headed; but de- 
 scriptions have been sent." 
 
 He stopped and fixed his eyes upon the young 
 traveler who was passing. Chester went on ; yet he 
 had proceeded but a few steps further when he was 
 tapped on the shoulder. It was the man with the fur 
 headgear : 
 
 "Which way?" he demanded. 
 
 "Up town," answered Fenton. 
 
 "Uptown? You don't live here. Just come in on 
 this train?" 
 
 "What of it?" 
 
 "Nothing only I want you to go with me." 
 
 151
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "I have not time have other things to attend to." 
 
 "I am an officer," announced the stranger, expos- 
 ing a star. "You'll have to go with me, quietly if 
 you have any sense, yet go you will, ' ' he rapped out, 
 grasping Fenton's arm with one hand while with the 
 other he drew a revolver from his hip pocket. 
 
 Chester was greatly disturbed ; yet it was evident 
 that he must obey the demand made upon him, so he 
 replied : 
 
 "Force and a show of arms are unneccessary. If 
 you have authority to interfere with my personal 
 liberty, I am ready to accompany you. ' ' 
 
 * ' Come on, then. I am to look for you and arrest 
 you on sight." 
 
 Leaving the station, they walked to police head- 
 quarters. Entering the public room, the detective 
 saluted the officer at the desk. 
 
 "Good morning, Sargeant. I have brought you a 
 level-up ! ' ' 
 
 "So? What's the charge?" 
 
 "Why, Brisbin, I've arrested him because he an- 
 swers the description of the younger of the bugs who 
 broke into the post-office at Portrance. That makes 
 the charge burglary. He got off the freight that 
 pulled into the depot a few minutes ago. He says he 
 didn't come from that place but the train did." 
 
 Brisbin looked Chester over, then consulted a sheet 
 of paper which he took out of a drawer. 
 
 1 ' Eight you are, ' ' he declared. " He 's the bloomer 
 wanted. Show him to Spence and then fix him up. ' ' 
 
 152
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 Spence was another detective. After examining 
 Fenton, he also pronounced him the man who was 
 checked. 
 
 Before committing him to the prisoners ' detention 
 room, the two officers took Fenton into small apart- 
 ment and subjected him to a thorough search. In the 
 side pocket of his coat, a half-sheet of one cent 
 stamps was found. 
 
 "What er ye doin' with them stamps?" queried 
 one of the searchers. 
 
 Chester's face turned very red as he slowly re- 
 plied : 
 
 "Not doing anything with them did not know 
 they were there." 
 
 "Didn't ! Bust a safe in a post-office and then not 
 know what you took ! Mighty thin too thin, by Jor- 
 dan!" 
 
 The stamps and seventy-five cents in silver con- 
 stituted all of value found upon Chester's person. 
 
 After more bickering, the youth was locked up in 
 a compartment where a dozen criminals clustered. 
 The next morning he was brought before the United 
 States Commissioner. 
 
 "You are charged with burglarizing a post-office 
 at Portrance," stated the judicial officer. "What 
 have you to say?" 
 
 ' ' That I did no such thing, ' ' vehemently answered 
 the young man. 
 
 "Were you in Portrance on the nineteenth?" 
 
 "On the nineteenth?" he repeated, uncertain as to 
 
 153
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 the date. "I passed through Portrance on Wednes- 
 day if that was the nineteenth. ' ' 
 
 " Passed through? Did you stop there?" 
 
 "Ye-es awhile because I wanted something to 
 eat." 
 
 "Did you have a companion while there?" 
 
 "No, I didn't that is, I had no companion when I 
 got off the train. While in Portrance I met a man 
 whom I had run across in New Mexico." 
 
 "What did you two do?" 
 
 1 i Separated after awhile and I came on here. ' ' 
 
 "You are reported to have had stamps in your 
 possession. How did that happen?" 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 "Stamps in your pocket and yet not known how 
 they got there ? You will be held for trial by the Dis- 
 trict Court." 
 
 Chester winced shrank as the words were spoken. 
 
 ' l Bailiff, remove the prisoner, ' ' continued the com- 
 missioner. 
 
 This was a terrible blow for the youth. In a maze, 
 he sat among the coarse criminals of the detention 
 room. The ruthless crowd jeered him, hooted at 
 him, applying to him foul and beastly epithets. 
 
 "Let me alone!" he fiercely shot out, wrenching 
 himself away from them. 
 
 "Do you want to box?" bawled one, taking a 
 pugilistic attitude. 
 
 Thus things went on in a manner exceedingly 
 rough. Later Chester was put into a separate cell. 
 
 154
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 During a number of the days following, he was in- 
 terviewed again and again, by so-called detectives, in 
 an effort to secure from him a confession of his par- 
 ticipation in robbing the post-office at Portrance. 
 Four or five times he was put through the "sweat- 
 box" process by the chief of police, assisted each 
 time by a different person supposed to move the 
 youth from his affirmation that he was not guilty of 
 the robbery. 
 
 "Give him the third degree tomorrow morning," 
 the chief of police muttered to Cheffner, the captain 
 of detectives. 
 
 The one addressed nodded, adding a significant 
 dropping of his eyelids. 
 
 On the following day Fenton was conveyed to the 
 county jail. When there he was escorted to an iron 
 bench which stood against the wall at the end of a 
 cell corridor. Here and there bleared faces were 
 straining through barred doors endeavoring to see 
 what was taking place at the end of the hallway. 
 Chester had not eaten any breakfast, had simply 
 drank a cup of coffee which he had been urged to take 
 before being led to the seat on which he was placed. 
 His head became strangely muddled and he sat hold- 
 ing it in his hands. 
 
 Presently three persons whom the chief of police 
 designated respectively the catechist, the challenger, 
 and the oracle, came along. 
 
 "What's the meditation?" demanded the oracle, 
 tapping Chester's head. 
 
 155
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 The brown mass of hair lifted, the eyes gazed 
 dimly at the speaker ; but there was no reply. 
 
 "We come to fix up that business of the post- 
 office," loudly threw in the catechist. "If ye want a 
 pardon we must have a straight-forward statement, 
 so's we can fix it up." 
 
 Fenton continued to gaze without reply. 
 
 "Why don't ye talk? You can't win out anything 
 by shutting yer mouth up like a clam. ' ' 
 
 Still no word from the prisoner. 
 
 "We want ye to say how ye went for that there 
 safe and how much boodle ye got hold of. ' ' 
 
 ' ' I didn 't go for any safe got no boodle, ' ' slowly 
 answered Chester. 
 
 "Josh! There's the kid that busted the post- 
 office burglar-box! But the fellow that helped him 
 isn't there," came in a deep growl from a dark cell 
 near at hand. 
 
 Under this accusation the face of the youth 
 flushed ; that was all. It must be added that his brain 
 was whirling in such a manner as to render him al- 
 most unconscious. From his condition it was evi- 
 dent that some drug had been administered in the 
 coffee which had been given him. 
 
 "The guy that was with him isn't down there," 
 continued to howl the voice, rising to a higher key. 
 
 The three "custodians" were closely watching 
 every manifestation on the countenance of the ac- 
 cused. But it remained somewhat impassive; the 
 thought that he was being victimized had seized his 
 
 156
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 mind, although befogged, and it had caused him to 
 make every effort to control himself. 
 
 4 'Say, where's that Arizony biff?" slowly pro- 
 nounced another voice, for Chester had told them 
 that his hobo companion at Portrance was from Ari- 
 zona. 
 
 ' ' Gimme that nitro, ' ' came in a gruff tone from the 
 first cell on the opposite side. 
 
 "Yere," was the reply. 
 
 ' * Hold this ! ' ' came again. 
 
 A few seconds and a loud explosion occurred fol- 
 lowed by a safe door being flung against the barred 
 entrance to the cell. Muttered exclamations of haste 
 sounded within ; then the cry : 
 
 * ' Hike 's the go ! Come on ! " 
 
 At the same time the sheet of stamps that had 
 been secured from the pocket of Chester was spread 
 before his eyes; while one of his inquisitors had 
 seized his arm and was repeating: 
 
 "Come on!" 
 
 Notwithstanding this realism, the youth, in spite of 
 his beclouded brain, remained comparatively calm, 
 looking at the men who were around him in a manner 
 that evidently was not expected. 
 
 Suddenly hoots of derision came from a number 
 of the cells lower down the corridor. 
 
 "Tell them guys that's tryin' to work ye, to go to 
 -!" pealed with rasping roughness from a steel 
 compartment near at hand. 
 
 "Temp!" called the challenger to a guard who 
 
 157
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 was at the father end of the corridor, "cool that 
 fellow!" 
 
 "Ay-ay," was the response. 
 
 In a minute the ever-ready water-hose was playing 
 with swift discharge into the place whence the re- 
 buff had come. Yells and curses issued forth in fierce 
 volume. 
 
 "See here, Fenton," piped the challenger, "you've 
 got sand, but don't go too far or you'll strike some- 
 thing solid." 
 
 "I do not know what you mean." 
 
 "You're bluffin' on this deal. You broke into that 
 box down at Portrance an' stole the stuff an' stamps, 
 an' you know it." 
 
 "I did not do what you are charging. That is 
 what I know. ' ' 
 
 The degree was pushed some time longer, but re- 
 sulted in nothing for the authorities. 
 
 As a last resort, an appeal was made to a profes- 
 sor holding the chair of psychology in an eastern uni- 
 versity. This person had recently announced a 
 means of detecting criminality through a process of 
 question and answer. 
 
 A list of words is the basis of the test. Many are 
 commonplace, but at unexpected intervals they give 
 way to those closely associated with the crime. Pro- 
 nounced one by one to the person believed to be 
 guilty, he is requested to express quickly the mean- 
 ing each suggests. If he betrays himself by the char- 
 acter of the words given in reply or the time con- 
 
 158
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 sumed on those referring to the crime, he is charged 
 with guilt. 
 
 An electric device measures the moments consumed 
 by the person examined. A small instrument is so 
 constructed that when placed between the lips their 
 least movement opens or closes an electric circuit. 
 When closed, the current passes through mechanism 
 having a dial over which a hand sweeps at the rate 
 of ten revolutions per second. Once around marks 
 the tenth of a second, while the division of the dial 
 into a hundred parts enables the operator to catch 
 the thousandth of a second. The index stands upright 
 until a movement of the lips occurs, when it instantly 
 begins its flight. 
 
 "Good morning, young man," saluted Professor 
 Austin Carew. "In response to the request of the 
 city physician, I have come to examine your nervous 
 system which he claims is out of order and threatens 
 serious consequences unless checks are applied." 
 
 "Didn't know there was anything wrong with my 
 nerves," replied Chester. "But you can go ahead 
 and find out." 
 
 "You must assist me." 
 
 ' ' Assist T In what manner ? ' ' 
 
 "Put this between your lips," suggested the ex- 
 pert, handing the youth a small metallic instrument. 
 
 This was a delicate set of electric springs attached 
 to fine wires connecting it with the mechanism that 
 controlled the dial-hand. 
 
 "Place it tightly between upper and lower lip. 
 
 159
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 There. Now I shall speak some words. As soon as 
 one is uttered, give answer with the first word that 
 arises in your mind the one which mine suggests. 
 This gives me a view, as it were, of your nervous 
 condition. ' ' 
 
 A few more sentences of explanation and the trial 
 began. During its progress a hundred and twenty - 
 words were given. 
 
 Carew said, "coat," Chester associated "vest;" 
 then book paper ; eye eyelid ; black white ; foot- 
 toe ; sky cloud, and so on for fifteen or twenty words 
 arousing commonplace suggestions. For those the 
 average time required was 1:45 seconds. Suddenly 
 the word "burglar" was proposed. There was a 
 pause. On the instant the youth comprehended that 
 he was undergoing another ordeal in relation to the 
 burglary at Portrance. A momentary wave of dis- 
 pleasure seized him, and it was thirteen seconds be- 
 fore he responded : 
 
 ' * Housebreaker. ' ' 
 
 Again the examination proceeded with harmless 
 words, such as "hail" "hammer;" wheat oats, 
 and others. The former average changed but little un- 
 til the word "drill" was proposed. Tardiness was 
 again apparent, the answer "hole" beng slowly 
 enunciated. This was followed by "thief" "rob- 
 ber;" darkness light; alley lane; key lock; pick 
 open; prison quod; stamp letter; safe iron 
 box; loot plunder, the latter answer requiring 
 twelve seconds. " Nitro-glycerine " seemed to disturb 
 
 160
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 Fenton much. It took twenty seconds to bring the 
 reply, "dynamite." "Judge jury," consumed 
 eleven seconds and "hobo" "road-kid" wasted ten 
 seconds. 
 
 Replies to the list were finally complete. Then all 
 were gone over again. But few variations in the 
 consumption of time were made manifest during the 
 second sifting. 
 
 From these tests Carew made what seemed to him 
 a clear diagnosis. 
 
 "Young man!" he exclaimed, after reaching his 
 conclusions, "you robbed the postoffice at Port- 
 ranee ! ' ' 
 
 "It is false!" cried Chester, "false. Your nervous 
 humbug leads you to such conclusions. 
 
 At a later date the trial came on. Chester was 
 accused of burglarizing the Portrance postoffice. A 
 number of persons testified to his presence in the 
 town during the latter part of the day and a portion 
 of the night on which the robbery occurred. The 
 restaurant owner and several waiters identified him 
 as the person who had the tramp from Arizona as 
 his companion. The engineer and a fireman at the 
 electric light plant swore to his presence with the 
 hobo in the boiler-house on the night of the burglary, 
 also to the fact that they left the place together at 
 about two o 'clock in the morning. 
 
 The stamps found on his person were put in evi- 
 dence. The postmaster could not identify them as 
 part of the sixty dollars' worth stolen, yet he testi- 
 
 161
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 fied that one-cent stamps to the amount of eleven dol- 
 lars were included among those which disappeared. 
 Witnesses were also on hand to identify him as hav- 
 ing taken breakfast on the morning following the 
 robbery at the second station from Portrance, and 
 that his appearance indicated fatigue. 
 
 Professor Austin Carew was then called. His state- 
 ment was very voluminous, but included a clear an- 
 alysis of the case and direct conclusions as to the 
 guilt of the person at the bar. The record will simply 
 mention one or two of the points submitted. 
 
 That the time consumed in making replies to the 
 every-day words averaged for the first trial 1:45 
 seconds. 
 
 And for the second trial?" asked the judge. 
 
 "About the same." 
 
 "You made a comparison?" 
 
 "I did, the second result combined with the first, 
 fixed the time I have named for the whole test. Com- 
 paring this with the time required for the associ- 
 ation of words related to the crime, shows the longer 
 space consumed by them from six to twenty-one 
 seconds. Moreover, in the second trial there were 
 many noticeable changes. Thus the word ' ' burglar ' ' 
 brought "housebreaker" in the first instance, but in 
 the second it was replaced by "murder." "Nitro- 
 glycerine" "dynamite," gave place to "nitro- 
 glycerine," "benzine" in the second test. 
 
 "And the conclusion you reached?" demanded the 
 judge. 
 
 162
 
 CHESTER IS SEIZED BY A DETECTIVE. 
 
 "From the test I submitted I am ready to con- 
 firm that the defendant is guilty of committing burg- 
 lary on the postoffice at Portrance." 
 
 The jury returned a verdict of "guilty," and the 
 judge sentenced Chester Fenton to five years' im- 
 prisonment. 
 
 163
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 At the penitentiary Chester had been divested of 
 his civilian's dress and had been clothed in the 
 stripes of the convict, adorned on the back with the 
 glaring "49." All the letters and trinkets relating 
 to the past which had accompanied him on his wan- 
 derings were no longer in his possession; they had 
 been transferred to the archives of the prison. 
 
 With senses benumbed, moving as if in a dream, 
 on the early morning he was called into the corri- 
 dor. Twenty other convicts stood waiting, while on 
 opposite sides there were numerous guards carrying 
 double-barreled shot guns and six-shooters at their 
 belts, the former being loaded with heavy buckshot, 
 while the revolvers were of caliber forty-five. 
 
 "Form line!" loudly bawled one of the ovrseers. 
 
 As this was a new experience for Chester, he had 
 to be shown. 
 
 The record will not pursue the labor conditions 
 of the prison. Time had flown. Chester Fenton had 
 been a trusty for many months. He had performed 
 his allotted tasks, sometimes mechanically, with his 
 thoughts far away from the grim stone walls which 
 surrounded him. Yet all his work had been so satis- 
 
 164
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 factorily accomplished that when considered in con- 
 nection with his unusually quiet demeanor, his term 
 had been so reduced that he now had but ten months 
 more of service. In addition he had saved some 
 money by working overtime, for which he was al- 
 lowed a small amount per hour. 
 
 "In spite of all, although I have not been guilty 
 of any wrong, the future looks dark enough," he 
 murmered, as he went forth one morning to labor. 
 "If I had remained with Strathmore but Dorothy 
 was gone. How could I live there without her? No, 
 no!" 
 
 ' * Nothing but clouds surround me cover me and 
 thrust me into the gloom. Take me away, God, take 
 me away ! Death can settle it for me ! ' ' 
 
 For months he had no cellmate. One morning the 
 door of his compartment swung open and a striped 
 convict was thrust it. Chester looked the newcomer 
 over. He was a red-eyed, desperate appearing char- 
 acter. Sullenly he thrust himself on the steel cot to 
 which the attendant pointed. Fenton was dis- 
 tressed, for in convict number 161 he recognized a 
 man he had met some years before it was he who 
 had attacked him on the bridge at Wichopolis. 
 
 "That hell-keeper thinks he's the lord over us 
 poor devils," growled 161 between set teeth, "but 
 he may run agin suthin'." 
 
 Chester sat looking at him. He had determined 
 to keep his discovery to himself, and as this resolu- 
 tion was formed he had turned aside. 
 
 165
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "How long have ye ben in this trap!" inquired 
 the new arrival. 
 
 Everything in the cell was obscure for want of 
 light, but as 161 came forward he suddenly stopped 
 and wildly swung his arms. A strange contortion 
 swept over his face. 
 
 "You white-livered louse," he exclaimed, "you're 
 the hairpin as sent me to quod in Wichopolis." 
 
 Chester sprang from the sitting posture and drew 
 himself into form, for the new convict was evidently 
 about to attack him. As the young man stood look- 
 ing upon his antagonist he showed himself to be a 
 fine specimen of athletic manhood, strong in limb 
 and quick of movement. 161 glared at him and sud- 
 denly made a swift dive and swing with his fist. 
 Chester caught the blow on his left arm and drove 
 a lightning-like counter full into his assailant 's face. 
 It staggered the brawny fellow but he managed to 
 keep on his feet. 
 
 ' ' Ye lobster ! " he yelled. " I'll show ye ! " 
 
 He came on like a torrent, proving himself to be 
 no mean opponent ; indeed, he was evidently a pugi- 
 list of some practice. Chester, in the varied con- 
 ditions through which he had passed, had learned 
 how to handle himself in a personal encounter, and 
 while in the army his fellow soldiers had shown him 
 a number of fancy passes and strokes used by the 
 prize fighters of the day. Thus 161 soon found that 
 he had his match and more, for Fenton's youth 
 and strength told heavily in his favor. He met his 
 
 166
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 antagonist's every attack with skill, parrying and 
 making return with an ability that began to tell. 
 
 * * Ye mangy cur ! ' ' gritted the other. 
 
 The words were no sooner out of his lips than 
 Chester sprang forward with a leap and landed the 
 solar plexus blow of the ringsters. The other howled, 
 doubled and went to the floor. When there he roared 
 with pain, his respiratory apparatus being so de- 
 ranged that he could with difficulty ' ' catch his 
 breath ' ' at gasping intervals. 
 
 ''What's on?" queried a deep voice through the 
 grating. 
 
 Chester spun around. A corridor turnkey had his 
 face pressed between the bars, and despite his in- 
 quiry seemed to be cognizant of affairs. 
 
 "This man jumped upon me without cause," he 
 replied. "I had to meet him and defend myself 
 and I guess he 's out for awhile. ' ' 
 
 "Down and out,eh? It'll do the rascal good." 
 
 "Perhaps it may prevent his attacking me again 
 right off, but I don't know," he continued, with a 
 doubtful cast of countenance. 
 
 "I see that you take care of yourself all right, so 
 I shall not trouble my noddle. ' ' 
 
 He turned away. Chester followed with his eyes. 
 In a moment he called: 
 
 "Say!" 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "Can't you give rue a place away from this fel- 
 low?" 
 
 167
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 " Don't know. The warden sent him here. You'll 
 have to get an order from him to get a change. ' ' 
 
 The young man knew that he would not be allowed 
 to see that officer unless he should happen during 
 task hours to visit the place of work. So he faced 
 away, and his attention was immediately absorbed 
 by the defeated gladiator, who was crawling from 
 the floor to his cot. 
 
 "Shall I help you?" tendered Chester, going to 
 him. 
 
 Number 161 gave a glance of fiendish hate as he 
 plumped down to a sitting posture. Swinging his 
 arms wildly, he waved Fenton away. 
 
 As the night came on the two men occupied their 
 respective cots. Not another word had passed be- 
 tween them. Evidently the whipped individual was 
 nursing his rancor. Chester was greatly disturbed, 
 for he felt certain that he did not dare to fall asleep. 
 So that during the night he endeavored to watch the 
 man who had tried to drown him in the Arkansas. 
 
 "A hard night," he muttered as he arose. 
 
 Chester took his meals at a special table with four 
 who were entitled by their conduct to wear cadet 
 gray. Just before he went to breakfast the morning 
 ration of convict 161 was brought on a trencher and 
 handed in at the cell opening. The prisoner seemed 
 slow and indifferent. 
 
 ' ' Take it ! " yelled the turnkey who brought it, ' * or 
 look out ! ' ' 
 
 168
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 D the take," gruntled 161. "It don't amount 
 
 to nothing, nohow." 
 
 "Scratch for it, then!" 
 
 With this expression the carrier let go the tray 
 and the buttered bread and tincup of coffee lay scat- 
 tered on the floor. 161 looked at the turnkey as if 
 he would swallow him. The latter turned away with 
 an indifferent grin on his countenance, closing the 
 iron gate with a bang that made the lock loudly 
 click. 
 
 With a volley of oaths which fairly turned the at- 
 mosphere blue, the convict turned away and plumped 
 down upon the cot. 
 
 "Why the - - don't you pick it up?" he roared 
 to Chester. 
 
 The young man paid no attention but sat waiting. 
 In a few moments the grating was again opened and 
 "49" was called. 
 
 As he passed out, convict 161 jumped from his sit- 
 ting posture and stood looking agog. 
 
 "What the- -?" he began. - 
 
 That was all. The steel opening clashed and Ches- 
 ter disappeared with a turnkey. 
 
 After breakfast he was sent with a foreman to 
 adjust some tiling at the military quarters which 
 were not far distant from the prison walls. Here he 
 worked all the morning hours. 
 
 "How terrible this life has been," he thought. 
 "All because I was so foolish as to go with that 
 hobo." 
 
 169
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 1 1 Ten months more ! Ten months with that pest 
 the man who tried to murder me at Wichopolis! 
 and again last night." 
 
 "How can I stand it? He meant to strangle me! 
 He stood over me but my waking up stopped him for 
 the time. But who knows whether I shall wake 
 again ? ' ' 
 
 At twelve o'clock he was taken back within the 
 walls for the midday meal. When the hour had 
 passed he returned with the foreman to the place 
 of his employment. 
 
 "Ten months," he mused again and again, "unless 
 I cut it down further by good conduct. ' ' 
 
 As the afternoon wore on the foreman left him 
 and went up to the dwelling of the post commandant. 
 Chester continued to dig and adjust tiles. He was 
 working near a culvert which passed beneath a rail- 
 road track. 
 
 "Ten months," he muttered, "lodged with a murd- 
 erer. ' ' 
 
 Steadily delving, there came a moment when he 
 straightened himself to relieve his tired back. He 
 was alone. A sudden impulse to lay down his tool 
 and make off seized him. Two or three times he 
 laid aside his spade and started off yet almost di- 
 rectly returned to his employment. At last, as the 
 picture of the cell in all its grimness and the beastly 
 mate arose once more in his mind, he dropped his 
 tool in the trench. 
 
 "I must get out," he cried," no mistake. Fly it 
 
 170
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 is. I cannot enter the cell again to be with that 
 man." 
 
 Diving under the culvert he made his way to the 
 farther end. 
 
 "Death anything is preferable to what is before 
 me there ! ' ' 
 
 The railroad now lay between him and the sol- 
 diers' quarters. At a swift pace he ran to the river 
 bank. A boat lay near swinging in the current. 
 Quickly he untied it. There was no oar. 
 
 "What am I going to do?" he cried. 
 
 Seeing a piece of board lying a few feet away he 
 seized it and jumped into the small, flat-bottomed 
 craft. With a little effort, he soon reached the mid- 
 stream and floated with the current. 
 
 "That is my only escape from the terrible condi- 
 tion behind me," he cried. "I don't go back. I'll 
 take a berth at the bottom of the Missouri first. ' ' 
 
 For some hours he drifted on. At length the 
 night enclosed him, but out on the bosom of the dark 
 stream, he continued his journey. During the star- 
 less, blackened interval, he had a painful rush of 
 thought. As remembrances of the past welled up in 
 his mind, the harbors of his soul seemed to open and 
 he wandered into a realm of dream. Thoughts of 
 the mother of his early years mingled with army 
 scenes grouped in his imagination, while at intervals 
 there played in his memory pictures of the ranch in 
 New Mexico and the people who had cared for him 
 during his stay in that place.
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Ah!" he sighed, "if I had only remained in that 
 home or if my mother had lived, how different life 
 would have been. ' ' 
 
 Then there swam over his conscious vision the face 
 of Dorothy. 
 
 Suddenly this enchantment was blotted by an in- 
 pour of the scenes of the preceding night, and out 
 from the midst of the shadows swung the steel com- 
 partment containing the debauched, contorted visage 
 of convict number 161. 
 
 "Oh!" he uttered in anguish, "is there power in 
 heaven or on earth to keep that apparition from my 
 sight!" 
 
 The board which he had used for a paddle was 
 neglected and he lay back in the stern of his frail 
 craft. 
 
 "Boat has lost its headway," he muttered, "and 
 has drifted into the still water near the bank." 
 
 The monotony of the movement and the shadows 
 by which he was surrounded again launched him into 
 dreamland. For a moment he was smothering in 
 the waters of a black river. Shuddering he softly in- 
 toned : 
 
 "Maybe that man should have drowned me for 
 then I should not be scorched by this suffering. ' ' 
 
 There came a whirlwind change and the throw 
 from the blind baggage in New Mexico followed, 
 while the beautiful, sympathetic face of Alma Arl- 
 ington rose slowly before him. 
 
 Thus through the almost impenetrable haze of the 
 
 172
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 hours that lay between sun and sun, the castaway, 
 with his memory running rife, kept his rocking little 
 skiff in the swirl of the current. More than once, 
 when the lost face of Dorothy he had loved so well, 
 came up before him, he was seized by an impulse 
 to drop off into the water and more than once he 
 escaped that fate by a mere hair's breadth. At one 
 time as the thought recurred, he laid aside his broad- 
 fragment and partially arose from m> seat. 
 
 "It would be the fate of a coward," he breathed 
 after a moment's hesitation. "I have suffered and 
 still suffer, but manhood demands that I make the 
 fight to the bitter end." 
 
 Once more the clumsy paddle cleft the water. 
 Later, when again tempted and he had arisen to his 
 feet, a vision sprang from the darkness and in his 
 imagination filled the dark air which lay before him. 
 
 "My mother!" he wailed, clasping his hands and 
 raising them heavenward., "mother dear, would it 
 separate me from you?" 
 
 And he dropped to his knees in the water which 
 had soaked through the cracks of the boat making a 
 shallow pond in the bottom. 
 
 "Mother,' he moaned, "the only one I shall have 
 to love me in the future life, the only one. ' ' 
 
 For several seconds he continued to whisper ; then 
 he went back to the sternsheets and seizing his ill- 
 shaped scull, again righted the fragile shell. 
 
 "Suicide would forever keep me away from her," 
 he murmured, "for ever and ever." 
 
 173
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 As the lurid light of morning began its eastern dis- 
 play, the smoke and unextinguished lights of a great 
 city began to arise in the southeast. 
 
 "I think I might stop there," he concluded. "It 
 must be Kansas City, for I didn't pass a big place in 
 the night and the fellows at the prison will hardly 
 think that I stopped so near at hand won't look 
 for me in that place." 
 
 Accordingly when his boat reached the city's out- 
 skirts, he directed its course to a landing and pulled 
 it on the sloping earth. He then went toward a 
 street where stores appeared. 
 
 "Maybe I'll sail on, I'm hungry and must get 
 something to eat." 
 
 After obtaining some food at a restaurant, he 
 began to walk toward the central part of the city. 
 It was now nearly seven o'clock and crowds of men 
 carrying dinner-pails were passing to their work. 
 
 "I want employment," he said to three or four 
 as he met them. ' ' Can you tell me where I can find 
 any?" 
 
 He was clothed in pants and hat of cadet gray, but 
 the upper part of his body was covered by a blue 
 overshirt. One of those questioned looked him over 
 and shook his head, drawling in reply : 
 
 * ' Can 't say where you may tumble onto a job. ' ' 
 
 The manner of the man seemed to be a warning, 
 
 so that when Chester came to a deep excavation in 
 
 the street, at the bottom of which were beginning 
 
 their day's work he stopped. Along the gutters lay 
 
 174
 
 THE RETIRED ROUGH RIDER SUFFERS. 
 
 great water pipes. They were to be put in the 
 trenches being dug. 
 
 "Work here would give me a show to earn some 
 money and get a change of clothing," he concluded. 
 
 "Where is your boss?" he inquired of one of the 
 workmen. 
 
 The man pointed to an individual standing by a 
 large tool box. Chester went to him and asked for 
 a job. 
 
 ' ' Job ? What can you do V ' 
 
 "I can use a shovel." 
 
 "Well, there's one. Bob?" he called, turning 
 around to one of his foreman, "set this man to 
 work.." 
 
 175
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 LOVE GKASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 At noon Chester took dinner at a boarding house 
 managed by the contractor who was laying the water 
 pipes. 
 
 When evening came he was a tired man, for during 
 two nights he had rested but a trifle. On the first 
 he had been the victim of convict 161, and during 
 the second, while on the river adventure, he had not 
 enjoyed a moment's sleep. The close of day was 
 therefore welcomed by him, and a period of sound 
 rest followed. 
 
 As soon as possible, he changed all the garments 
 he wore for others. Then he felt more at ease and 
 on each evening sought for other employment. Pass- 
 ing into a grocery store, he asked for the proprie- 
 tor. Being directed to him, he inquired if additional 
 help were needed. 
 "What can you do?" 
 "I can sell goods in a store of this kind." 
 "How long have you done such work?" 
 "Not long, yet I can do it to please you." 
 "Don't need a salesman just now, but I can make 
 room for a driver on a delivery wagon. Can you 
 handle horses!" 
 
 ' ' Oh, yes. I can give you perfect satisfaction. ' ' 
 
 176
 
 LOVE GRASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 The firm engaged his services. As he passed out 
 into the street, his eyes glistening with renewed hope, 
 he whispered: 
 
 "My mother. From this hour I will strive to be 
 such a man as you would approve. J ' 
 
 The next morning found him on the box of a van 
 belonging to the firm by which he was employed. 
 Faithfully and diligently he set to work, and he dis- 
 charged his duties so well that soon he was taken in- 
 to the establishment. In this second relation he also 
 pleased his employers. 
 
 The tide of summer was in its later reign. Ches- 
 ter was walking down the street on the way to the 
 noonday meal. As he passed an automobile drawn 
 up to the curb, a lady whose face was veiled stepped 
 from it. There was something about her movement 
 and the arrangement and color of her hair which 
 aroused a momentary recollection. He had walked 
 but a step or two when a voice called: 
 
 "Chester!" 
 
 With a start, he turned around. A beautiful young 
 lady with veil thrown back confronted him. 
 
 "Alma!" he exclaimed. 
 
 ' * Then you have not forgotten me. I thought that 
 time might have effaced me from your memory. ' ' 
 
 "No, Miss Arlington. Your kindness to me when a 
 suffering stranger has always been thankfully re- 
 membered. ' ' 
 
 The girl bowed and graciously smiled. 
 
 "Alma, you first called me. Kindly persist in that 
 
 177
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 name. It recalls a pleasant past more effectively 
 than does the term, 'Miss Arlington.' 
 
 "A pleasant past! Yes indeed. Since leaving 
 Hurstlands my life has been varied, but the cheer 
 born of my experience there has never forsaken me." 
 
 "I am glad," she softly articulated, while a re- 
 markable light fluttered in her eyes. 
 
 "And your mother," he remarked. "She is 
 here?" 
 
 * ' My mother, ' ' she sighed. * * My mother died sud- 
 denly two years ago and the home has been lonely 
 ever since." 
 
 As she spoke, crystal drops appeared on her long, 
 silken lashes. Chester was instantly full of sympathy 
 and commiseration. 
 
 "Her death was indeed a loss. She was so good. 
 I can easily understand how deserted the place must 
 have been after she left you. ' ' 
 
 "I feel her loss more keenly today that when she 
 died. Every turn I make causes me to realize her 
 absence. ' ' 
 
 "It is all so sad." 
 
 "Sad, indeed. Do you live here, Mr Fenton?" 
 
 "Chester," he smiling suggested. 
 
 "Pardon me. Chester was the name by which we 
 knew you while at our home, and its present use will 
 accord with my request of you. ' ' 
 
 "Thank you. I live here," he added, "that is I 
 have been here a few weeks. ' ' 
 
 'My father has been stricken and is in Kansas 
 
 178
 
 LOVE GRASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 City for special medical treatment. I accompany him 
 that he may have kind hands to care for him. ' ' 
 
 "He is sick!" 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Fenton Chester, I mean. His former 
 health seems shattered. It would please him to meet 
 you. Will you call upon us?" 
 
 "I " and he looked on the ground. Recovering 
 himself, he resumed : ' ' Yes, Miss Alma. It will give 
 me pleasure much pleasure." 
 
 "That is our address," she said, handing him a 
 card. 
 
 They then separated. 
 
 For the remainder of the day Chester could think 
 of nothing but Alma and what she told him, and as 
 evening came on it was no less an important phase 
 of his existence. 
 
 "I must call on Alma and Mr. Arlington soon. I 
 received from them the kindest care and consider- 
 ation. No other persons have been so good to me as 
 Alma and her parents." 
 
 "Alma was a remarkable girl." 
 
 Then came prison life floating over his conscious- 
 ness. 
 
 "I will live it down," he muttered. "Never again 
 will I lift a finger except for the right." 
 
 On the morrow, when engaged in his business, he 
 was the embodiment of energy, so much, indeed, that 
 his employers ' attention was keenly attracted to him 
 Chester did not realize that his bearing differed ma- 
 terially from what it had been during the weeks 
 
 179
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 which had past, yet he was fully aware that he had 
 resolved to reach a higher manhood and that he was 
 in consonance with the standard he had ideally de- 
 termined. 
 
 "Blessed mother," he frequently breathed during 
 the day. 
 
 That evening, after the close of business, he set 
 forth to find the home of the Arlingtons. This was 
 accomplished without difficulty. In response to his 
 ringing, fair Alma opened the door. 
 
 "Chester," she welcomed. "Come in." 
 
 Leading the way, she conducted him into the re- 
 ception room. 
 
 "I am glad you came," she resumed. "Father 
 has been very much depressed today, and I am sure 
 that your presence will cheer him. ' ' 
 
 ' ' I am very sorry that he is ill, ' ' consoled Chester. 
 < ' He is a capable, excellent man and there should be 
 many years in store for him. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, but the death of my mother caused the 
 downfall of his health. I will tell him that you are 
 here. Please excuse me for a moment." 
 
 "Certainly." 
 
 Alma left the room and Chester sat down. Pro- 
 found thought seized him and his head sank into his 
 hands. 
 
 "What are you doing here?" sprang into his 
 mind. At the same moment a light step made itself 
 heard along the hall. Then a radiant face came be- 
 neath the lintel of the doorway. 
 
 ISO
 
 LOVE GRASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 "Father is waiting for you," Alma softly spoke. 
 * * This morning I told him that you were in the city 
 and he expressed a desire to meet you." 
 
 The two went to the apartment of the invalid. Mr. 
 Arlington, very pale and weak, sat in an easy chair, 
 his head leaning back upon a special rest which the 
 hands of his daughter had fashioned. They found 
 him with his eyes fixed on the entrance. 
 
 "Chester Fenton," he greeted in a feeble voice, 
 holding out his hand. 
 
 The youth came forward and gently took hold of 
 the thin fingers presented to him. 
 
 "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, although " 
 
 "You were not prepared to see me thus?" 
 
 "I am troubled, for when I last saw you in New 
 Mexico you were hearty. It grieves me to find you 
 in this condition." 
 
 "It cannot be helped," returned the elder, with an 
 evident intention of dismissing the subject. "You 
 have developed quite a little since you left Hurst- 
 lands." 
 
 "You think so? It is certain that life with you 
 helped me into a stronger manhood. ' ' 
 
 "It was healthful, outdoor employment. Alma, 
 please draw that rocker forward. There ! Sit, Ches- 
 ter." 
 
 The young man sat down and conversation was 
 continued. When it seemed that Mr. Arlington was 
 becoming tired, the former begged to be excused. 
 
 1 ' You will come again ? ' ' asked the patient. 
 
 181
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 " Indeed I will, for it affords me much pleasure." 
 
 "It will relieve the tedium of my condition and 
 revive thoughts and associations of the past that are 
 grateful to me." 
 
 ' ' As they are to me. I shall come soon if the strain 
 be not too arduous for you to bear." 
 
 ' ' Never fear. A chat with you will give a respite 
 from mere brooding over my illness." 
 
 Chester, taking Mr. Arlington's hand, held it for 
 several minutes. Afterwards he withdrew to the 
 room in which he had first been received. Here he 
 spent an hour or more in companionship with Alma, 
 who in every remark and act displayed a noble young 
 womanhood. When he arose to depart a new feeling 
 had seized him that feeling which in the olden time 
 he had choked back so as not to be untrue to an- 
 other. But that tie had been broken and he now sat 
 under a new inspiration ; that of a young lady of ex- 
 ceptional grace and truth one who years ago had 
 shown much interest in his welfare and who now 
 seemed not to have lost it. 
 
 "I am thankful for the pleasure afforded by this 
 evening. You have come into my lone and cheerless 
 life like a beautiful sun-gift from God, ' ' he affirmed, 
 as he rose to depart. 
 
 The eyes of the maiden glowed with impulses she 
 could not repress as she answered: 
 
 "You are very kind to speak thus. You will come 
 again soon indeed, I beg you to make our home one 
 
 182
 
 LOVE GRASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 for yourself a place to escape from the thoughts 
 and care of your business life." 
 
 "It is good and generous of you to offer me more 
 than I deserve. Still I shall be so selfish as to profit 
 by your kind invitation." 
 
 With this remark he withdrew. 
 
 The days which followed were full of brightness 
 for young Fenton. The charms of the Arlington 
 home always awaited him, and they proved irres- 
 tible. The numerous evenings spent with Alma and 
 her father brought comfort and happiness to him. 
 
 "How good and pure she is," he exclaimed on one 
 occasion while passing toward home. "Not only 
 that, but she is as beautiful as she is good." 
 
 "Dorothy is lost to me but this dear girl 
 
 He was silent. Disturbing thoughts arose in his 
 mind. How dared he think of Alma in the way his 
 impulses were drifting? 
 
 His work on the next day and the one following 
 was not neglected, but he was greatly troubled. So 
 many of the scenes of his life after he had left Hurst- 
 lands, flitted before him that he was well-nigh un- 
 balanced. 
 
 "I must bid her goodby," he declared. "It will 
 not do to imperil her happiness no, no ! 
 
 That evening he slowly wended his way to the 
 residence of the Arlingtons. He was met at the door 
 by Alma, her face glowing with radiance as she 
 looked upon him. 
 
 "I am glad you have come. Father has an off 
 
 183
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 day and he has inquired about you, expressing many 
 wishes that you might call this evening. ' ' 
 
 "He is not so well?" Chester's tones berayed an 
 unusual strain. 
 
 The maiden turned and inquiringly scanned his 
 face as she replied: 
 
 "Not so well. His physicians seem puzzled un- 
 able to meet the new developments that have arisen. ' ' 
 
 "It is too bad. Shall I go to him now?" 
 
 "Yes, come." 
 
 And she led the way to the invalid 's apartment. 
 
 Chester spent some time with him conversing in 
 low tones and holding his hand. During this inter- 
 view Alma flitted about the room, happiness beaming 
 from her countenance and spreading its benign in- 
 fluence to the two in converse. When at length the 
 passing hours found Chester alone with her in the 
 reception room, bright cheer still sprang from her 
 eyes, putting the visitor under a strange spell of 
 enchantment. He had made up his mind to tell her 
 of his past, but his tongue refused to respond to 
 effort after effort which he made to carry out his 
 resolution. 
 
 "Has the day been pleasant, Chester?" she asked, 
 taking a seat on the opposite side of a small table. 
 
 "Yes," he began; then he hesitated, looking wist- 
 fully at Alma. "That is, I have had thoughts that 
 troubled me." 
 
 "Indeed," she softly breathed, being at once re- 
 sponsive. "I hope all have passed away." 
 
 184
 
 LOVE GRASPS CHESTER FENTON ANEW. 
 
 His eyes were moist and his body trembled. Here 
 was a girl who, during his life at Hurstlands, had 
 shown him consideration and sympathy, and now 
 while he had again been with her, the same tenden- 
 cies had been no less had been a boon which had 
 lifted him from a sea of despondency to cheery 
 heights, replacing a lowering horizon by the glow- 
 ing sunshine of happiness. 
 
 1 ' Alma," he burst forth, rising to his feet, his 
 frame agitated, his voice strangely vibrating. "I 
 love you more than I can say love you deeply, 
 truly " 
 
 She too arose. Her head was bent, her heart 
 thrilled with unspeakable joy. She now looked into 
 his face with eyes of tender trust. 
 
 ' ' And I, ' ' she murmured. * ' I have loved you from 
 the first day that you came wounded to our home at 
 Hurstlands loved you alone the only love I have 
 ever known. ' ' 
 
 "Oh, dear, dear Alma," he cried, extending his 
 arms and holding her to his breast, "the dearest, 
 best on earth. ' ' 
 
 Of the minutes that followed the record will be 
 silent. Two souls communed in an enchantment 
 known only to those who have met kindred hearts. 
 
 185
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 When Chester left the residence of the Arling- 
 tons and proceeded on the way leading to his home, 
 he became thoughtful. As the minutes passed this 
 mental phase developed and became more and more 
 one of serious import, until uneasiness passed to 
 nervous disturbance. 
 
 "How could I be guilty of such deception?" 
 he wailed. "Alma is the cream of the earth and 
 I " 
 
 He suddenly halted. When he moved again his 
 steps became short and heavy, until in his agitation 
 he stumbled. 
 
 "I am an " 
 
 He cast his eyes about to ascertain if any ear were 
 listening to his words. He found himself alone. 
 
 "An escaped convict!" he concluded, in smothered 
 tones. "No matter whether I deserved that fate 
 or not, I cannot evade the fact. ' ' 
 
 "I will go to her and relate the whole truth 
 everything, from the beginning to the end. ' ' 
 
 Halting and looking around, he wiped the perspir- 
 ation from his forehead. 
 
 "How terrible! I must give her up! Do I de- 
 
 186
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 serve it, my God? Guiltless when cast into prison, 
 I suffered and now my heart is torn asunder. ' ' 
 
 Observing that he was attracting attention from 
 passing pedestrians, he began to move forward. But 
 his agony increased. For a long time he walked 
 walked far into the night walked until the police 
 began to note his movements and consider why he 
 was on the streets in a questionable condition at 
 such an hour. It was towards morning when one 
 stepped across the street and accosted him. 
 
 " What's the hour?" he asked. 
 
 * ' Hour ? Pretty late or early. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Where are you heading ? ' ' 
 
 "Home. Have a severe headache and so am a lit- 
 tle tardy in leaving the streets want to shake it 
 off." 
 
 The answer seemed straightforward and the 
 bluecoat at once perceived that Fenton was not in- 
 toxicated, so he moved on. 
 
 After this incident, Chester hastened to his apart- 
 emnts, but not to sleep. The morning hours found 
 him sitting wide-eyed, the bed untouched. His brain 
 was imperiled, his feelings so wrought upon that 
 nothing but his magnificent physique sustained him 
 from an utter collapse of mental and bodily powers. 
 
 "Love!" he cried. "How dare I love such a wo- 
 man? Beautiful, noble, pure." 
 
 "Chester! Assert your manhood! Stop being a 
 dissembler. Eight this atrocious conduct right it 
 even if you break your heart eternally break it !" 
 
 187
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 * * The end will come, ' ' he cried, halting and holding 
 his head between his hands. "And I shall sleep 
 sleep the sleep that knows no waking." 
 
 He ate no breakfast, but went forth to his employ- 
 ment. He walked with his head bowed, his whole 
 mind engrossed with the tumult of thought which had 
 seized him. Suddenly, he became aware that he had 
 proceeded four or five blocks in the wrong direc- 
 tion. When he realized this, he endeavored to shake 
 off the trouble that overwhelmed him. Turning in 
 his course, he hastened toward his place of business. 
 
 During the day he was more or less in a fog of 
 bewilderment ; so deep, indeed, that it was noticeable 
 by those around him. His resolve had been taken 
 and when the hours of the daily engagement closed, 
 he went directly to the place where Alma lived 
 
 Coming into her presence he greeted her with all 
 the warmth which his nature could not forbid, but he 
 immediately began to speak of what had rankled 
 his soul. 
 
 "Alma, I have deceived you so grossly so 
 grossly ! ' ' 
 
 "What do you mean, Chester?" she asked, turning 
 deadly pale. 
 
 * ' Prepare, my beautiful, to hear a dreadful confes- 
 sion but one that must be made. It must, Alma, 
 dear," he repeated with quivering voice, "even if 
 it kills me. 
 
 ' ' Chester ! ' ' she cried, taking him by the hand. 
 
 * * Dear, dear Alma, I must tell it ! I am a refugee 
 
 188
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 from justice ! " he gasped, shivering violently as the 
 words escaped him. 
 
 She took his hand in a double clasp and with a 
 voice almost choked with emotion, she remons- 
 trated : 
 
 "It is not true. Tell me, Chester, that it is not 
 true." 
 
 Very tenderly he led her to a chair then knelt 
 at her feet, the tears streaming down his cheeks. 
 With faltering speech and bitter bewailing, he told 
 her all, while she moaned and sighed. 
 
 "I did not steal the stamps not one, but they 
 found some a few upon me. I was with the burg- 
 lar I did not realize what he was doing did not 
 know he was breaking a safe until I heard an ex- 
 plosion. Then I started to get away. Fear and in- 
 decision made me slow and the robber came out and 
 I left the place in his company." 
 
 Then he told her of his tramp on the railroad at 
 night, of his arrest and conviction, of his imprison- 
 ment, of his sufferings while in confinement, of his 
 cellmates, of the last one whose presence impelled 
 him to escape while a trusted workman of the peni- 
 tentiary. 
 
 Many words of commiseration escaped the lips of 
 the maiden as she listened : 
 
 "What a shame it was to give you such a com- 
 panion," she cried. 
 
 He then explained the conditions existing when he 
 reached the close of his river trip. He also added : 
 
 189
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 * ' So that I should not be caught, I gave my second 
 name, Trueman, as my surname. By that I am known 
 to all in Kansas City except to you and your father 
 alone. ' ' 
 
 1 ' Trueman ? not Fenton ! ' ' 
 
 "That is it. So you will see what a mess I have 
 made of life and how base it was for me to act as 
 I have toward you." 
 
 "Not base, Chester, not base. You have been a 
 victim. ' ' 
 
 "And now, blessed one, I must release you from 
 any connection with such an imposter as I am an 
 escaped convict." 
 
 ' ' Chester, do you love me ? ' ' 
 
 "I love you more than I can express. My former 
 love for the girl of whom I have told you, is not to 
 be compared to my love for you. Alma, you are the 
 best, the noblest woman that God ever made. I shall 
 always bear your image in my bosom never can it 
 be eradicated from my heart." 
 
 While these words were being uttered the maiden 's 
 eyes were dimmed with tears. She still held his 
 hand and was looking tenderly upon him. 
 
 * ' Tomorrow I will go to the west. I shall take you 
 with me as my dream-wife. I will never have an- 
 other never. My life shall be as it has been, alone 
 and when I come to the spirit-land, God will merci- 
 fully let me come to you." 
 
 "I shall never have any other for a husband," 
 the girl's trembling lips replied. "That was settled 
 
 190
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 years ago. When you left Hurstlands, I registered 
 that vow on high. Others have come and proposed, 
 but I have lived with the promise then made. ' ' 
 
 "Blessed, blessed!" he murmered, kissing her 
 hand again and again. 
 
 After a few moments he arose to his feet. 
 
 "When at length we reach the realms beyond," 
 he breathed, throwing his arms about her, "God in 
 his everlasting love, will unite us." 
 
 "Chester, you must not go away. I love you. I 
 do not believe that you did wrong that you even 
 meant to associate with a thief. ' ' 
 
 "I cannot sacrifice you, Alma. I must set you 
 free, and the only chance the only means to effect 
 it is for me to go away from you. ' ' 
 
 "I will not part from you, my love. We'll spend 
 life together. As soon as my father recovers, we'll 
 go to Hurstlands. There we shall be happy again." 
 
 Chester held her tight to his bosom, yet still his 
 head waved in doubt. 
 
 ' l Come to my father. We will lay the whole matter 
 before him. He understands all kinds of business 
 and public affairs. I am sure that he will agree to 
 the view which I hold." 
 
 "Do you think he can bear the recital?" 
 
 * * He was better today. I will go and prepare him 
 for it then come and we will inform him." 
 
 She left the room but soon returned and, taking 
 Chester by the hand, she smiled upon him. 
 
 "Father wishes to know something of your life 
 
 191
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 from the time you left us at Hurstlands. I have pre- 
 pared him for all. ' ' 
 
 When they entered the apartment of Mr. Arling- 
 ton, they found him standing, partially supporting 
 himself by resting his hands on the center table. 
 Evidently he anxiously awaited their coming. 
 
 * * Here you are, Chester, ' ' he saluted. * ' Come and 
 sit down. Pull that easy this way." 
 
 For himself he took the Morris chair, which was 
 his favorite resting place. Slowly he led the young 
 man to speak of his course during the period between 
 leaving New Mexico and his appearance at Kansas 
 City. It took time, but the youth reserved nothing. 
 
 "And you broke away after getting so many 
 credits shortening your time?" was one of the ques- 
 tions of the elder. 
 
 "I did. I have frequently regretted it, but it 
 seemed impossible for me to live in the same com- 
 partment with the desperate an who was thrust 
 in on me." 
 
 At another time Arlington asked: 
 
 "To what place in th<> West do you think of go- 
 ing?" 
 
 "To Old Mexico. I have a friend there who owns 
 an island eight miles in extent. He has urged me 
 to come and live with him at any time. I -shall 
 do so. He has promised me the place upon his 
 death." 
 
 "Why, that seems like a fine opportunity." 
 "It is for me." 
 
 192
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 Thus inquiry and answer went forward. 
 
 "You will start, then, tomorrow," concluded Arl- 
 ington, in a tone that seemed to concede that the re- 
 solve of the young man was wisely taken. 
 
 "Tomorrow, Mr. Arlington." 
 
 " No ! " cf ied a voice, ' ' no ! He is not going. ' ' 
 
 The invalid passed his hand over his eyes and 
 looked across the room at his daughter. 
 
 "Mr. Fenton has so determined," he pronounced 
 with a decisive ring. 
 
 "Father, I love him," drooped Alma, coming for- 
 ward with streaming eyes. "I loved him years ago 
 my mother told you, I am sure she told you. I 
 cannot let him go. He is not guilty of crime." 
 
 Arlington was gazing at his daughter in a 
 strangely perplexed manner. 
 
 ' ' What we think may not be what the world 
 thinks " 
 
 "Father, dear father, do you know that I love 
 him," moaned the maiden, dropping on her knees 
 beside her parent and placing her head down on his 
 lap. "He saved my life, my father, saved me for 
 you, for mother, for myself. Except for that you 
 would not have me to comfort you today. ' ' 
 
 The invalid placed his hand on the girl's head. His 
 body was trembling violently. 
 
 "I cannot live without him," burst from her 
 lips. "I cannot, I cannot." 
 
 Chester had risen from his chair and was standing 
 in an attitude which suggested departure. He saw 
 
 193
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 the pale, suffering features of the elder and deter- 
 mined that the scenes should be brought to a close. 
 
 "Did you say that you were going tomorrow?" 
 asked Arlington. 
 
 "That is my plan. I love your beautiful, pure 
 daughter, but I know that I must leave her though 
 my heart may break ! ' ' 
 
 The girl had now risen and was standing beside 
 Chester. Seizing his hand, she drew him towards 
 Mr. Arlington. 
 
 "Father!" she exclaimed, "you will not blight my 
 life by bidding him go. Suppose, my father, that 
 you leave me. What will existence be worth to me if 
 Chester be a wanderer and I ?" 
 
 She put her arms about Chester's neck and he 
 impulsively clasped her around the waist. Thus the 
 two stood for a moment. 
 
 "Come nearer," the father faintly spoke. 
 
 The invalid tried to rise, but the temporary 
 strength bestowed through excitement had departed. 
 The girl sank on her knees, gently pulling Chester 
 besider her. Then Arlington, his own eyes now be- 
 dewed, placed his shaking hands upon their heads. 
 
 "Chester Fenton," he feebly spoke, "will you ever 
 be true to Alma!" 
 
 "True? No matter where I am, no other one can 
 ever reign queen in my heart but Alma alone ! ' ' 
 
 "You must abandon your plans of going West to 
 that island of which you spoke but remain here. I 
 am passing," he added sadly, "and I must leave a 
 
 194
 
 A PERILOUS INTERRUPTION OF LOVE. 
 
 protector for the daughter who has given her life for 
 mine. ' ' 
 
 ' ' But ' ' began Chester. 
 
 "So let it be," slowly pronounced the sick man. 
 "Alma, dear, take my hand." 
 
 Obeying, the maiden took the wasted fingers in 
 her own and clasping them closely, held them to her 
 cheek. 
 
 "My daughter," he continued, "I wish you to be 
 married at once." 
 
 "Chester, you must be married in your true 
 name," he declared, addressing the young man. "In 
 a few days it can be arranged for you and Alma to 
 go eastward, where at a distant place you may be 
 united, and then return to me." 
 
 195
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 * 
 
 As arranged by Mr. Arlington, Alma had been 
 sent to Boston, Massachusetts, where in the home 
 of a friend of the family, she had been united in mar- 
 riage with Chester Fenton. Returning immediately, 
 the young couple, beaming with a happiness which 
 was theirs alone, took up their residence in the 
 home of the father. 
 
 "I must have Alma near me," he insisted. ''It will 
 be for a short time then Hurstlands will be at your 
 disposal." 
 
 "Pape, dear, don't say that. You will soon be 
 well. Then we shall all go back home. ' ' 
 
 He gravely shook his head. He knew what the 
 daughter did not know; that his physical troubles 
 had culminated in an incurable disease, time alone 
 being the arbiter of his final departure. 
 
 "My dear father,' murmured Alma, standing by 
 his side and stroking his hair. "Chester and I are 
 thinking of the pleasure which will be ours when 
 we are all back where formerly we had so much 
 bright cheer." 
 
 The parent sadly shook his head. 
 
 "My dear girl," he slowly breathed, "when you 
 and Chester get there, much brightness will be in 
 
 196
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 store for you but I shall be at rest with your 
 mother, and whatever the future possesses for those 
 leaving the earth, will be mine." 
 
 The days sped on, bearing happiness to the young 
 hearts in overrunning volume, yet a cloud often 
 seemed to hang over Chester a cloud that fre- 
 quently revealed itself to him in such a manner as 
 
 * 
 
 to cause severe agitation and suppression of vital 
 power, almost bringing his heart to a standstill. On 
 these occasions he whispered again and again: 
 
 1 ' If trouble should come to my darling on account 
 of my past career, it would paralyze me ! What could 
 I do?" 
 
 Month after month rolled away and Mr. Arlington 
 grew steadily weaker. At last he could not arise 
 from his chair without assistance. Chester, in off 
 duty hours, lifted him in his strong arms as if he 
 were a child. One evening, when the young man was 
 caring for him, the patient warmly expressed his 
 thanks. 
 
 4 ' John ' ' the name of his regular attendant at 
 night "does pretty well, but he is not equal to 
 you. ' ' 
 
 This set Chester to thinking that possibly he ought 
 to free himself from business and take care of the 
 sick man. 
 
 "I will see," he thought. 
 
 When he spoke to his employers in reference to 
 the matter, they did not take kindly to it : 
 
 "We can illy spare you," replied the elder. "You 
 
 197
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 have become a necessity to us. Can you find suffi- 
 cient time to devote to him if we let you off at, say, 
 six in the evening until ten or half-past ten in the 
 morning!" 
 
 ' * That would make me more serviceable than I am 
 at present. ' 
 
 This was the arrangement. From that time, 
 Chester devoted himself as far as possible to the 
 care of Arlington. At night he lay on a couch so 
 near the sufferer that he could place his hand upon 
 him. So sensitive to this gentle touch did he become, 
 that the merest contact aroused him and brought 
 him to his feet. 
 
 "You are good, my boy," the patient murmured, 
 as Chester laid him tenderly back upon his resting- 
 place. 
 
 Thus was he constantly thanking the young man ; 
 a series of incidents that bound him closer and 
 closer to his failing charge. 
 
 As the time passed and the end seemed to ap- 
 proach, the house became still. It was during this 
 period that Alma became a mother. 
 
 "My blessed, my love," whispered Chester, as he 
 bent over her and the fairy little darling that lay by 
 her side. 
 
 The young wife looked up at him with beaming 
 eyes; then raised her lips which Chester im- 
 mediately pressed with his own. 
 
 "Dearest one on earth," he continued. "You have 
 given me an angel-child. ' ' 
 
 198
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 The infant was named Grace; and when it was 
 presented to the grandfather, tears ran down his 
 face. 
 
 "Beautiful little creature," he spoke, softly touch- 
 ing its silky locks. "I shall never see thee an adult 
 but nevertheless, I welcome thee." 
 
 A few weeks and the physicians were whispering 
 in consultation. At the close, one was delegated, in 
 consonance with Mr. Arlington's expressed wish, to 
 inform him that the end was near and that he should 
 dispose of all business that ought to receive his at- 
 tention. 
 
 Acordingly, a lawyer was called in and a last will 
 and testament was formulated. Hurstlands, a 
 ranch of twenty-two thousand acres, with vast herds 
 ranging thereon, together with nine thousand acres 
 in other parts of New Mexico, were bequeathed 
 jointly to Chester and Alma Fenton. Then the good 
 man lay back and closed his eyes. 
 
 "My dear father," softly breathed Alma, coming 
 to the bedside and passing her hand lightly over his 
 forehead. "You are tired. You must rest." 
 
 "Yes," he answered sadly and in labored tones, 
 "I soon shall rest, my daughter, soon shall rest." 
 
 Alma would not accept the words as rendered but 
 remonstrated : 
 
 "I hope soon to see you get up and take us to the 
 West." 
 
 Smiling upon her, he spoke again : 
 
 "When the baby wakes up, bring her to me."
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 In a few minutes the little one was smiling in his 
 embrace. 
 
 " Sweet little Gracie," he murmured. "So much 
 like my own Alma when in her mother's arms." 
 
 During the night which followed, the spirit of this 
 good man took its flight into the realms of the im- 
 mortals. 
 
 Sadnes ruled the household. With tear-damp eyse, 
 for hours Alma hung over the silent form of her par- 
 ent. Chester remained close beside her and often 
 placed his arm about her while he tenderly kissed 
 her cheek; nor was his attention lost on the young 
 wife, for amidst her sorow she frequently turned to 
 him with gentle recognition. 
 
 "Dear Alma," he whispered. "It is so hard." 
 
 "My husband,' she murmured, the crystal drops 
 falling upon the hand she held. 
 
 The record will not enlarge upon this grief- 
 stricken period. With .great tenderness the father 
 was committed to the bosom of mother-earth. After 
 the funeral obsequies, the young people returned to 
 the home and rested. After some days, the wife 
 suggested to her husband: 
 
 ' ' Chester will it not be best to close up our affairs 
 in this city and go to Hurstlands ? A faithful agent 
 is in charge there, still " 
 
 "I agree with you, Alma. It will be the proper 
 course." 
 
 He could not help feeling that an incubus would be 
 lifted from his shoulders ; for at the present time he 
 
 200
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 was near the scene of his prison experiences and 
 had a constant dread of being recognized by some 
 one who had been connected with the penitentiary. 
 Preparations to depart for the West were at once 
 begun. 
 
 The work had progressed toward completion. 
 Chester was passing from one of the down town- 
 banks to his home when a loud, gruff voice roared 
 in his ears : 
 
 "Hello, Fenton! What the - are you doin' 
 here ? ' ' 
 
 Spinning around, he found himself confronted by 
 his former cellmate, convict number 161. 
 
 ' ' That is not my name, ' ' returned the young man. 
 
 "Ha, ha! Not? We'll see, my fine buck, we'll 
 see!" 
 
 Chester hurried away; but 161 hung at his heels. 
 They proceeded thus for some blocks, the former 
 leading off from his home. Coming to a street where 
 there was an electric trolley line, he suddenly left the 
 sidewalk and sprang upon the running-board of a 
 flying car,. As the motonnan had seen him running 
 towards the car, it was sufficiently checked so that 
 the convict also boarded it. 
 
 The two rode for several squares. Chester was 
 standing on the continuous step where he had first 
 secured a foothold. Unexpectedly, while the car 
 was running at -high speed, he dropped off to the 
 pavement. It was cleverly done and he was in im- 
 mediate form to move onward. The convict at- 
 
 201
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 tempted the same feat; but failure to overcome the 
 momentum of his body bore him to the ground. On 
 the instant, he set up a mighty yelling: 
 
 ' ' Help ! Murder ! Police ' ' issued from his throat 
 in a foghorn volume. 
 
 Foot passengers halted. 
 
 "That's him!" continued 161, struggling to regain 
 his feet. "Broke out o' prison! Collar the cuss!" 
 
 Chester was hurrying from the scene with all his 
 might and main. As he reached a street corner, a 
 policeman dashed around it almost colliding with the 
 flying pedestrian. He observed the pace and the 
 anxiou contenance of the young man. 
 
 "Say!" he called out. "What's on?" 
 
 1 1 Some one down there has fallen from the trolley. 
 He is making a fuss." 
 
 "That's the whelp!" yelled the convict, who 
 had scrambled to his feet and was hobbling toward 
 the corner where Chester and the bluecoat were 
 standing. The former had begun to move away. 
 
 "Hoi' on!" cried the latter. "Wait till this fel- 
 low gets here." 
 
 A small crowd had collected. The limping indi- 
 vidual came up. 
 
 "This here feller throwed off his stripes an' got 
 away from the pen at the quod," he roared. 
 
 "What's yer pinters?" demanded the policeman? 
 
 "Pinters! I was thar with him. I reckon I 
 know. ' ' 
 
 1 ' With him ? Down at the penitentiary ? ' ' 
 
 202
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 ''That's what I said. I was inner-cent but they 
 sent me thar the same an' put me into the same cage 
 as this bloke had been stuck into an' he up an' 
 lit out." 
 
 The bluecoat looked at Chester. The young man 
 was in such a condition of trepidation and distress, 
 that the officer quickly decided that the story had 
 foundation ; he therefore clipped out : 
 
 "Come along to the station. This '11 have to be 
 straightened up." 
 
 ''You come along, too," he called to the informer, 
 turning around as they started away. 
 
 "You bet I'm a comin'. I don't let that measly 
 coyote git very fur away from me." 
 
 So he struggled along after the others. At the 
 police station, he was questioned by the captain in 
 charge : 
 
 "You say this man was a fellow-prisoner with 
 you?" 
 
 "That's what. They gin us the same iron box 
 an' this bodkin skipped out when he wuz workin' 
 outside." 
 
 "You are sure this is the person?" 
 
 "Sure? What do you size me up fur?" 
 
 The captain rang up the long distance telephone 
 station. 
 
 "The Penitentiary at Leavenworth," he de- 
 manded. 
 
 After being in conversation with the authorities 
 
 1203
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 of that institution for some minutes, he turned to 
 Chester : 
 
 1 ' From the description received and the statement 
 of this man, we shall be obliged to retain you until 
 you are identified or set free." 
 
 "Haw, haw, haw!" mockingly laughed convict 
 161. "I git even with you you - 
 stinker ! ' ' 
 
 "What are you growling about?" sharply asked 
 the captain. "Here, Dunn, lock this man up until 
 further orders. ' ' 
 
 "Gosh durn!" he blazed, his eyes flashing with a 
 fierce light. "Is that the way you treat a feller fur 
 helping ye to git breakers?" 
 
 "Take him along," was all the reply he received. 
 
 The informant was dragged cursing and strug- 
 gling from the office. 
 
 "Will you allow me to telephone to my wife?" 
 Chester asked of the officer in charge. 
 
 "I will. There's the instrument." 
 
 The young man called up Alma and in a broken 
 voice begged her to bear with courage what he was 
 about to communicate. 
 
 "Why, Chester, what can it be that you speak of 
 in such a manner?" 
 
 "It is dreadful, dear wife. I am heartbroken 
 but I cannot help it." 
 
 "Tell me, please, what you mean." 
 
 "My precious Alma. I am under arrest charged 
 
 204
 
 FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. 
 
 with being an escaped prisoner from the peniten- 
 tiary. ' ' 
 
 The speaker heard the receiver at the other end 
 drop from the nerveless hands to the side of the ap- 
 paratus morover, he heard a cry and thought he 
 heard a form fall to the floor. He kept the trans- 
 mitter in his trembling fingers and waited. Soon he 
 called : 
 
 "Alma?" 
 
 There was no reply. He did this again and again 
 with the same result. At last, after the expiration of 
 several minutes he detected sobbing, then a falter- 
 ing call : 
 
 "Chester!" 
 
 ' ' I am here, dear. Bear up, my darling. The end 
 will come sometime." 
 
 "I I fell down I am not sure but I was con- 
 fused for a little while. Where are you?" 
 
 "At the Central Police station." 
 
 "I will come there immediately." 
 
 At the solicitation of Chester, he was allowed to 
 receive his wife in the captain's private room. The 
 meeting was too painful and heart-rending for the 
 pen to follow. Toward its close, Alma asked: 
 
 "Shall I not employ a skillful attorney?" 
 
 "As you think best, my wife." 
 
 "We cannot allow these people to do what they 
 please. I am determined to meet ' them in some 
 way. ' ' 
 
 205
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "I fear, dearest one, that I shall be compelled to 
 go to leave you and my precious baby." 
 
 The strong man burst again into tears. Alma held 
 him to her bosom, stroking his hair and begging him 
 to have courage. 
 
 "For we shall be near you, Chester. I shall not 
 leave you to suffer alone." 
 
 Alma now proposed to leave him for a short time. 
 
 "I will return as soon as possible and let you know 
 
 what I have succeeded in accomplishing." 
 
 She then went out, going directly to their bank- 
 ers. 
 
 "Is President Thomas accessible?" she asked of 
 a paying teller. 
 
 "Yes, madam," he replied. "William," he called 
 to an attendant, "show Mrs. Fenton into the office 
 of Mr. Thomas." 
 
 Being conducted into the president's office, she at 
 once confided to him her troubles. He immediately 
 took up her cause with zeal, advising as to what he 
 deemed a proper course. He also sent for Mr. Kid- 
 dell, the attorney for the bank, a man of ability and 
 honor. With him the consultation was prolonged for 
 an hour. When it closed, Mr. Eidell comforted the 
 sorrowing wife by the remark : 
 
 "Bear up, Mrs. Fenton. I think we can arrange 
 matters to change the present outlook. President 
 Roosevelt is full of justice and when the truth is 
 placed before him, we may have a happy outcome." 
 
 206
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 On the next morning the penitentiary warden 
 came and fully identified Chester Fenton as the 
 prisoner who had escaped from detention. It was 
 determined that he should be taken back in the after- 
 noon. 
 
 ' ' This shows what fools some people can be, ' ' com- 
 mented the warden. "This man had credits for 
 good conduct which would have saved him a third of 
 his term of imprisonment. Now he'll get the full 
 dose." 
 
 The friends of the Fentons had been busy. The 
 lawyer, the bankers, and the men by whom Chester 
 had been employed, circulated petitions by the hun- 
 dred. The result was amazing. Thousands of names 
 were procured, asking the President of the United 
 States to pardon the man who had shown such high 
 character from the moment he had reached Kansas 
 City. 
 
 "Don't hurry him away. Wait another twenty- 
 four hours until we can ascertain what the Presi- 
 dent will do," appealed the lawyer, speaking to the 
 warden. 
 
 "I cannot remain myself. But I will give him a 
 
 207
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 chance. He shall not be trimmed for a cell until a 
 reasonable time has passed that is, we'll give you 
 an opportunity to act in the matter." 
 
 "Good. That is all we ask for." 
 
 On the following day Alma Fenton was with her 
 husband. They were again allowed a private inter- 
 view. It was rapidly approaching the hour of de- 
 parture for Leavenworth. Sad, indeed, was the com- 
 munion of the two combining mutual comfort and 
 sympathy ; while on the part of the young man there 
 were many self -braidings throughout the interview. 
 
 * * My blessed, ' ' he cried at one time, * * to think that 
 my wretched conduct should bring you to this suffer- 
 ing:" 
 
 "Chester do not chide yourself. You are the vic- 
 tim of circumstances. My profound regret is that 
 I am powerless to serve you." 
 
 "You dear, kind girl. How little of your love do 
 I deserve, yet how bountifully you bestow it. ' ' 
 
 The door sprang open and a bluecoat's head was 
 thrust forward: 
 
 ' ' Have to start for the train in three minutes. So 
 let it be a hurry call from now on. ' ' 
 
 As the frame slammed shut, the two arose and 
 embraced each other. There were tender kisses and 
 whispered words, while neither could restrain the 
 tears that flowed. 
 
 "May God preserve you, my dear wife," faltered 
 Chester, "until I come back to you." 
 
 "He will, He will and I shall teach our little one 
 
 208
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 to watch and be ready to meet her papa. Wait, dear, 
 she is here. I will bring her to you. ' ' 
 
 She hastened to where she had left Gracie in the 
 arms of a nurse. Taking the infant, she hurried 
 back. In the meantime, the waiting men, seeing her 
 pass out, thought the interview was at an end, so 
 they were leading Chester away. 
 
 "Our baby!" cried Alma, presenting her to the 
 father. 
 
 Little Gracie had learned the lineaments of the 
 face that had so often bent over her and a sweet 
 smile wreathed her features, while she patted her 
 father's cheeks. Chester kissed it again and again. 
 
 1 ' Guess we '11 have to hustle, ' ' gruffly injected one 
 of the attending policemen. 
 
 "Good-by, my husband, good-by," sobbed Alma, 
 putting her arms about his neck, while he still held 
 the infant. "I and baby will wait for you however 
 long you may be away. ' ' 
 
 The final kiss was given ; then Fenton was hurried 
 off. 
 
 After an interval of a few minutes, the wife ap- 
 peared at the office of President Thomas to whom 
 she had entrusted all interests connected with her 
 trouble. 
 
 * ' All will be ready by one o 'clock, ' ' welcomed Mr. 
 Thomas. "The Flyer leaves at two-fifteen." 
 
 "And I shall be prepared for the trip," assured 
 Alma. 
 
 As the young woman had said, at one o'clock she 
 
 209
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 was back at the bank. A nursemaid accompanied 
 her. 
 
 "Everything is in readiness, declared President 
 Thomas, taking from his desk a bulky roll. "In this 
 you will find a petition reciting the facts regarding 
 Mr. Fenton, followed by eighty-five thousand names 
 of the citizens. There are also included in the pack- 
 age other things for your guidance. As President 
 Roosevelt has such a clear, devoted conscience, when 
 he reads the absolute truth he will surely make a 
 justifiable reward. ' ' 
 
 "How good and considerate you have been," 
 thanked Alma. 
 
 "We have done those things which under the cir- 
 cumstances have afforded pleasure." 
 
 "Remain seated a moment, Mrs. Fenton," he 
 begged, as he passed to a door opening to an ad- 
 joining apartment. Speaking to some one, a lady 
 came forth. 
 
 "Mrs. Fenton, allow me to introduce to you my 
 wife, Mrs. Thomas. She has become warmly inter- 
 ested in this case and wishes to become your compan- 
 ion that she may assist as occasion may offer. ' ' 
 
 "Dear Mrs. Thomas," exclaimed Alma, grasping 
 the motherly woman by the hand. "How kind you 
 are ! ' ' 
 
 "Not yet but I trust some opportunity may be 
 given to merit your approving words. ' ' 
 
 When the fast train departed from the city, Alma, 
 Mrs. Thomas, little Gracie and a nursemaid were on* 
 
 210
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 board occupying a comfortable compartment of a 
 Pullman. The route selected lay through Cincinnati 
 and thence to Washington. 
 
 "Lie down, dear Mrs. Fenton," urged Mrs. Thom- 
 as. "You look so tired. We must not let you wear 
 out at the beginning of the journey." 
 
 "I am tired," answered the young mother, "but I 
 fear that I could not sleep. Perhaps after a little 
 I may be able to do so." 
 
 "When we reach Washington, I want you to be 
 fresh; for there our work may be arduous." 
 
 "I will remember and try to reserve my strength. ' ' 
 
 Arrived at the capital, Mrs. Thomas and Alma, 
 with her maid, put up at one of the well-known 
 hotels. 
 
 "Now I will go to the senator from our city," 
 comforted Mrs. Thomas, "to enlist his services in 
 your behalf. Doubtless he will be able to assist in 
 the matter you intend to present to the President." 
 
 "It is kind of you, but you will pardon mejf I go 
 at once to seek an interview. My anxiety to achieve 
 whatever is possible will not permit me to wait any 
 longer. ' ' 
 
 "Oh, that is quite right. It occurs to me that I 
 had beter go with you that I may help as I may be 
 able, allowing my intention to visit the senator to 
 rest for the present." 
 
 Accordingly an automobile was secured and the 
 two were quickly driven to the White House. 
 
 211
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "We wish to see the President's secretary," Mrs. 
 Thomas announced to the attendant in waiting. 
 
 ' * The secretary ? He 's busy just now but he may 
 be at liberty soon." 
 
 "Take him these cards and tell him that the two 
 ladies they name are urgent in their request to see 
 him. The business is of importance and cannot be 
 delayed. ' ' 
 
 The cards bore the names of Mrs. William Thom- 
 as, Kansas City, Missouri, and Mrs. Chester Fenton, 
 Hurstlands, New Mexico. 
 
 Presently the attendant reappeared and an- 
 nounced that the secretary would see them without 
 delay. 
 
 1 ' This way, ladies. ' ' 
 
 And they were ushered into the presence of the 
 private secretary of the president. He met them 
 with that characteristic ease and cordiality for which 
 he was distinguished. When they were seated, he 
 asked : 
 
 "How may I serve you?" 
 
 Mrs. Thomas assumed the burden of the introduc- 
 tory explanation: 
 
 "I am Mrs. William Thomas, wife of President 
 Thomas, of the Seventh National Bank of Kansas 
 City. This lady is Mrs. Chester Fenton, of the great 
 landed estate of Hurstlands, New Mexico." 
 
 As the names were mentioned, the secretary made 
 acknowledgment. 
 
 "It is gratifying to meet ladies from the empire 
 
 212
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 of the West," he remarked, speaking to Alma. 
 Turning to Mrs. Thomas, he added: 
 
 " There is a service, perhaps, that I can render." 
 
 1 'Mrs. Fenton desires an interview with President 
 Roosevelt upon matters of urgent necessity." 
 
 "With the president? He is engaged at this time 
 with a party of senators." 
 
 "Will it be for long?" asked Alma, her face taking 
 on a slight flush which added to her beauty and made 
 her presence the more impressive. 
 
 "I will see. This is your card, I think." 
 
 The lady bowed. The secretary left the room. 
 He was absent but a short time when he returned 
 and said: 
 
 "The President will see you in thirty minutes." 
 
 "Thirty minutes?" Mrs. Thomas repeated. 
 
 Rising, she went to Alma and took her hand : 
 
 "It will not be for long," she cheered. "As you 
 will not need me at present, I will excuse myself for 
 a short time." 
 
 Alma whispered to her with reference to Grace. 
 
 * * The baby in here ? Do you wish to take it with 
 you?" 
 
 The younger one nodded. 
 
 " So as not to burden you, I will wait until the half- 
 hour has nearly expired." 
 
 Mrs. Thomas went out. It was perhaps twenty 
 minutes when she returned with little Grace. In a 
 short time a messenger came from the President's 
 room and spoke in low tones to the secretary. 
 
 213
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Mrs. Fenton, I will conduct you to the presi- 
 dent," announced the gentleman. 
 
 Leading the way, he preceded her to the room of 
 the chief magistrate, whom they found busily en- 
 gaged in writing. When lie looked up, the secre- 
 tary reported: 
 
 "Mr. President, permit me to bring to your at- 
 tention this lady, Mrs. Fenton, of Hurstlands, New 
 Mexico. ' ' 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt made gracious answer and 
 then courteously conducted her to a seat. 
 
 Alma was greatly distressed and trembled violent- 
 ly, while she held the baby Grace close to her bosom. 
 Suddenly she arose from her chair and with voice 
 nearly inaudible began to speak: 
 
 "President Roosevelt," she faltered, "I have 
 come to plead for my husband. ' ' 
 
 The President looked earnestly at the fair, yet 
 suffering young countenance that was turned toward 
 him. The tears were silently trickling down the 
 quivering cheeks. The troublous anxiety and the 
 exhausting scenes of the days so recently numbered, 
 had left her features very pale, but more spiritual- 
 ized than ever. 
 
 "Your husband, madam? And why should you 
 plead for him?" 
 
 ' * He has been taken to the prison at Leavenworth 
 unjustly, Mr. President, unjustly." 
 
 "Unjustly," echoed Roosevelt, looking at her 
 
 214
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 with eyes full of compassion, yet associated with a 
 caste of surprised justice. "Is that possible!" 
 
 "It is, sir. Oh it is ! May I tell you ? " 
 
 "Certainly; I am anxious to hear the story; for I 
 cannot understand how he could be taken to a prison 
 unjustly. ' ' 
 
 "Dear Mr. President, pardon the word but I 
 could not help it I feel it all so keenly his mis- 
 fortune, I mean." 
 
 Then followed amid sighs and heartbreaking sobs, 
 the graphic recital of Chester's story. Every point 
 was made and explained nothing was kept back. 
 
 "It is strange," declared the President, "quite 
 remarkable. ' ' 
 
 While speaking he arose from his chair and ap- 
 proached the lady. 
 
 "Is that his baby?" he asked. 
 
 * ' Yes little Grace, ' ' and the mother held it toward 
 him. 
 
 Eoosevelt touched its fingers and patted its cheeks. 
 The dear little creature smiled sweetly at him and 
 stretched forth its arms. 
 
 "A pretty babe," affirmed the President. "One 
 for a father to be proud of." 
 
 "He loves it dearly so dearly!" 
 
 "I will look over what my aide brought me for 
 you," decided Roosevelt. "Excuse me for a mom- 
 ent. Sit down and rest." 
 
 The bundle of papers which had been presented 
 on Alma's entrance to the room was now opened and 
 
 215
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 the attention of the President was closely bestowed 
 upon the contents. In addition to the great petition, 
 there were numerous letters from the most distin- 
 guished citizens of Kansas City. All spoke highly 
 of the character of Chester Fenton since they had 
 known him. Before this investigation of documents 
 was brought to a close, a card was handed to the 
 President. It contained the following words : 
 
 "Senator Warner desires an opportunity to as- 
 sist Mrs. Fenton to present to the President the case 
 of Chester Fenton." 
 
 A moment before Roosevelt had suddenly halted 
 in his examination of the papers on the table and 
 asked : 
 
 "Was Chester Fenton from Los Angeles, Califor- 
 nia?" 
 
 "He lived there for some time." 
 
 ' ' Was he a member of the First United States Vol- 
 unteer Cavalry, popularly called the Bough 
 Eiders!" 
 
 "He was, Mr. President, and served under you 
 during the Cuban Campaign. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Chester Fenton, ' ' the President repeated. Ches- 
 ter Fenton!" 
 
 Upon receipt of the card from Senator Warner, 
 he said to the attendant : 
 
 ' ' Admit the senator. ' ' 
 
 When that gentleman came in, he saluted the Pres- 
 ident, then going to Mrs. Fenton, he greeted her : 
 
 "Mrs. Fenton, I am glad to meet you. I have 
 
 216
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 heard the story of your husband's life and want to 
 comfort you in the possession of a man who has 
 passed through the fire and come out purified." 
 
 The ready tears sprang to the eyes of the young 
 woman. The senator quickly perceived and turned 
 to Roosevelt: 
 
 1 l Dear Mr. President, I trust your world-wide gen- 
 erosity may be extended to Mr. Fenton." 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt had taken the senator by the 
 hand and was silently looking into his face. 
 
 ' ' He has never been guilty of a crime ; but unfortu- 
 nate in being the companion of a man who committed 
 a criminal act." 
 
 ' ' Senator Warren, thank you for the veiled compli- 
 ment of your words. As for the matter pertaining to 
 Chester Fenton, he is pardoned." 
 
 Alma sprang from her seat and with tears stream- 
 ing down her cheeks, was in the act of kneeling to 
 the President; but he stretched forth his hand and 
 detained her. Leading her back to the seat from 
 which she had arisen he kindly spoke : 
 
 "Be seated, Mrs. Fenton. Dry the tears. I ap- 
 preciate your gratitude, but the pardon has been 
 earned by the person who receives it. Pray be 
 seated and I will prepare the necessary papers." 
 
 Sitting at the table, he touched an electric button 
 and then began to write. A moment passed and a 
 messenger stood wailing: 
 
 "Request the secretary to come here." 
 
 The President had not ceased to write when his 
 
 217
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 distinguished aide appeared. There was a low con- 
 versation and the latter retired. Immediately there 
 flashed over the wires the following telegram to the 
 warden of the penitentiary at Leavenworth: 
 
 "Chester Fenton is pardoned. Treat him as a 
 free man but do not communicate the fact until his 
 wife arrives." 
 
 After the secretary had left the apartment,Roose- 
 velt continued at his desk for a few seconds longer. 
 He then arose and came to where Mrs. Fenton was 
 sitting. Handing her a paper, he said : 
 
 "This is a full pardon and release for Chester 
 Fenton. Take it to him yourself ; for you alone have 
 the right. At the same time convey to him my kind 
 remembrances. ' ' 
 
 Alma arose and staggered from excitement and 
 weakness. She labored hard with words of thanks : 
 
 "Dear President Eoosevelt. Accept my heartfelt 
 thanks for your gracious, merciful kindness." 
 
 The President touched her arm, remarking: 
 
 "It is fully deserved, Mrs. Fenton indeed, it is 
 a reward of merit." 
 
 Intense gratitude beamed from the eyes of the 
 young wife, while the tears dimmed them. 
 
 "President Roosevelt," suggested Senator War- 
 ner, "if you will permit me, I will see Mrs. Fenton 
 to her hotel." 
 
 "Do so if you please." 
 
 The senator then conducted Mrs. Fenton into the 
 anteroom where they found Mrs. Thomas and the 
 
 218
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 nursemaid in waiting. By the happy expression on 
 Alma ' s face the f omer at once perceived the success- 
 ful issue of the appeal. 
 
 "I am so thankful," she cried, embracing the one 
 who had passed the ordeal, "so thankful." 
 
 "Dear Mrs. Thomas," was all the younger could 
 say, such a torrent of feeling was sweeping over her. 
 
 "How good of you, Senator Warner," declared 
 Mrs. Thomas. 
 
 It was this lady who had secured the services of 
 the distinguished member of the Senate. 
 
 "Don't mention it, Mrs. Thomas. Perhaps we had 
 better hasten Mrs. Fenton to the hotel; since I am 
 sure she needs rest." 
 
 When all had reached the place of entertainment, 
 the senator excused himself. He kindly waved off 
 their thanks and turned to depart. 
 
 "Remember me very kindly to Mr. Thomas," he 
 begged of the elder, "and you will please serve me 
 in the same manner when you meet Mr. Fenton," 
 he added, addressing Alma. 
 
 Both ladies acknowledged his courtesy. 
 
 Bowing, with hat raised above his head, the gen- 
 tleman withdrew. 
 
 "It was all very kind of him," softly articulated 
 Alma. "And now, Mrs. Thomas, may we not ar- 
 range for an immediate departure for home!" 
 
 "There is nothing to prevent. I will ascertain 
 when the first through train will leave for the 
 West.' ' 
 
 219
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Thank you; for I want to go. I can rest while 
 on the way better than I can in this hotel." 
 
 "Of course you can; for every minute will be 
 diminishing the space between yourself and your 
 husband. ' ' 
 
 In two hours from the time of the request of Alma, 
 the little party was speeding westward. On the sec- 
 ond day they were in Leavenworth; Mrs. Thomas 
 having determined to see her charge to her destina- 
 tion. 
 
 A conveyance was immediately obtained and in a 
 short time the travelers were at the office of the war- 
 den of the penitentiary. Hurried explanations were 
 made and Alma displayed the presidential pardon : 
 
 "In a moment," the officer said, "I will prepare 
 Mr. -Fenton for your coming. ' ' 
 
 He meant by this that he would place him in a 
 private room. That done he hastened back to the 
 office. 
 
 "Come," he announced, "the gentleman waits." 
 
 Presently Alma entered her husband's presence. 
 
 "Chester!" she exclaimed, "here it is a pardon 
 from generous President Roosevelt. ' ' 
 
 The young man stood speechless for a moment 
 then he burst into broken cries: 
 
 'My wife! My jewel!" he sobbed; for he could 
 not restrain the sudden rush of feeling. "I am 
 blessed by my former dear commander." 
 
 Clasping Alma in his arms he held her close for 
 some minutes, kissing and rekissing her. 
 
 220
 
 MERCIFUL ACTS OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 
 
 Oh ! the ecstasy of that interval. 
 
 1 'Dear Chester, you are to go with me," whis- 
 pered the wife. "Come." 
 
 "My sweet love," slowly articulated the young 
 man, taking her tenderly by the hand. "Dear, dear 
 wife. We are united never more to part ! ' ' 
 
 Thus they went out and were soon on their way to 
 Kansas City. Business interests in that place being 
 adjusted, they departed for Hurstlands; where to- 
 day they are living in the bright sunshine of happi- 
 ness. 
 
 221
 
 AFTERWOED. 
 
 NOBLE STATEMENTS BY ROOSEVELT AD- 
 MIRERS. 
 
 The early summer of nineteen hundred and twelve 
 had arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton were sitting in the 
 parlor of their beautiful home at Hurstlands. Alma 
 was handling a newspaper just received from the 
 postal route. Chester was looking out of a front 
 window. 
 
 "Do you know that our noble Colonel Roosevelt 
 is being pressed forward as a presidential nomi- 
 nee ? ' ' asked his wife. 
 
 "Yes, dear. We are both aware that his praise is 
 matchless. He is nearer to the heart of the people 
 than any other man. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, the most worthy step made in many years 
 to advance the morality, purity and amelioration of 
 mankind occurred during the presidency of Theodore 
 Roosevelt. We long to have it continued; and his 
 reelection will insure it." 
 
 "Indeed it will. See. There is an auto with two 
 gentlemen at the gate. I must meet them." 
 
 Slipping out, the three soon entered the room. 
 
 1 1 Mrs. Fenton, allow me to introduce Mr. Enright. 
 Also Mr. Goodson. They are both officers of the 
 Roosevelt League at Sante Fe." 
 
 222
 
 NOTABLE STATEMENTS BY ROOSEVELT ADMIRERS. 
 
 "I am pleased to meet you," the lady answered. 
 "Of course you are assisting to win the presidency 
 for that eminent man, Roosevelt." 
 
 "That is true, Mr. Enright," affirmed Alma, 
 come here to discuss the matter with Mr. Fenton, for 
 there are thirty or forty men on the Hurstland's 
 ranch. In all parts of our country where the people 
 are discussing the action and affairs of the govern- 
 ment, Roosevelt is regarded as the strong and cap- 
 able man who can untangle unfavorable conditions." 
 
 "That is true, Mr. Enrigth," affirmed Alma. 
 ' * For years there has never been so good and great 
 a president as Theodore Roosevelt. For one or two 
 generations he alone sacrificed his personal conven- 
 ience for the interest of his country." 
 
 "Let us elect this righteous, patriotic, pure man, 
 brave protector and defender of human rights, ' ' pro- 
 nounced Chester. 
 
 "That is what we must do," averred Goodson, 
 "for he is the only man who can carry the party to 
 victory. Taft would be simply swallowed by the oppo- 
 sition because the present administration is so large- 
 ly disapproved. ' ' 
 
 "The popular vote for Roosevelt," added Enright, 
 "would be the widest and most complete that has 
 ever been received by any presidential candidate." 
 
 ' ' To say there is any superstition against another 
 term, is mere bosh a comic statement," proclaimed 
 Goodson. "There are plenty of members of Con- 
 gress who have exceeded thirty or thirty-six years, 
 
 223
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 cabinet officers have often been continued for a long 
 time Federal judges for a lifetime. Our Eoosevelt 
 has been elected but once, and he is such a meritori- 
 ous man having done the work of President so well, 
 that we sincerely want him now we need him. He 
 will regulate and manage the reforms which the 
 Americans crave." 
 
 * * You are right, ' ' bowed Enright. ' * Eoosevelt has 
 famous ability, earnestness to carry forward public 
 purposes and steady advancement of high ideals. He 
 shows exalted efficiency as an executive, possesses 
 courage and sincere honesty. He honorably and 
 firmly guards what the people want, hence they dear- 
 ly love him." 
 
 ' t How true !* * echoed Alma. ' * Roosevelt is a hero 
 and a genius, a brave, hearty, honest, manly man, 
 fine in habit and bearing." 
 
 "My wife knows all about it," asserted Chester. 
 * ' She knows that he dwells in the hearts and minds 
 of the citizens of our Eepublic, who are asking him 
 to accept a second elective term." 
 
 "Yes," resumed Goodson, "our Eoosevelt has 
 been elected but once. Some politicians are so un- 
 just they say has had two terms. Although 
 false, it makes no difference. If the country wants 
 him, it is wholly in the power of the people. Wash- 
 ington could not take a third term because of his age 
 and health. He died soon after the expiration of 
 his second term ; but he even said that a third term 
 
 224
 
 NOTABLE STATEMENTS BY ROOSEVELT ADMIRERS. 
 
 must be accepted if the people demand it and agree 
 upon it." 
 
 "Roosevelt said," renewed Enright, " 'If the 
 people wish me to serve I shall do so and shall per- 
 form it with whatever courage and ability I pos- 
 sess.' Now he has bravely worked their will and 
 achieved their purposes in the past. During the sev- 
 en years he was chief executive, he completed pros- 
 perously many of the ideal results for our country. 
 He has been the great leader of the forward and 
 successful movements of the nation." 
 
 "It is well known," observed Chester, "to every 
 party that if Rosevelt is nominated he will be 
 elected, hence certain ones attempt to despoil the 
 conventional outcome. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Our Congressman Curry, ' ' pronounced Goodson- 
 " declares that Roosevelt's conservation work, his 
 motto of the square deal and his insistence that the 
 people be allowed to conduct their own government, 
 have won him friends who consider that he should be 
 made President." 
 
 "No matter," confirmed Fenton, "as to the num- 
 ber of presidential elections, for it is the duty of a 
 citizen to serve the nation whenever the people call 
 him. That settles the issue with reference to Roose- 
 velt." 
 
 225
 
 BOOSEVELT'S MAJESTIC TRIBUTE BY THE 
 SANTA FE LEAGUE. 
 
 Some time afterward, Chester Fenton was at a 
 meeting of the Roosevelt League in Sante Fe. The 
 large number of members present were manifesting 
 their admiration of the Colonel and their reverence 
 of his distinctive character and wonderful executive 
 ability as President. 
 
 "Glad to meet you, Fenton," proclaimed Good- 
 son. "We'e going to take up some important work 
 with reference to our beneficent leader, Theodore 
 Roosevelt. ' ' 
 
 ' l Good ! It is glorious. ' ' 
 
 In a few minutes the chairman called the meeting 
 to order, and arising, spoke as follows: 
 
 "I wish to refer to what the committee and con- 
 vention did as to the nomination of Taft. His re- 
 nomination was fradulent and Republicans cannot 
 in any way acknowledge it but must stand honestly 
 against it. All our people witness the political per- 
 fidy of the Committee. Through its high-handed rob- 
 bery and its ; steam-roller' process of thievery, Taft 
 accepted the stolen nomination." 
 
 "That may be," declared a member, rising from 
 
 226
 
 ROOSEVELT'S MAJESTIC TRIBUTE BY SANTA FE LEAGUE. 
 
 his seat, "but he is practically out of the running to 
 claim the votes of our citizens." 
 
 "Bet you," pronounced another. "Taft accepted 
 the fruits of larceny, but it eliminates him and he'll 
 get no election in November. ' ' 
 
 "Sure!" continued the chairman. "Sweep away 
 the miserable cheat of his stolen fruit, for it is an 
 unfair provision for the people of our country. 
 Think of Taft in deadly grapple with the subtle ac- 
 tion of the committee whose members robbed the 
 convention of many progressive delegates. The 
 southern states, the territories and falsely seated 
 delegates nominated him, but his observance of it 
 should cause him to withdraw from the candidacy; 
 for he will get mighty few votes. He is not the can- 
 didate of the Republican party. A misrepresenta- 
 tive convention nominated him." 
 
 "Correct," announced a member. "Our people 
 will not endores the robbery or ratify the treacher- 
 uos acts of the convention. ' ' 
 
 "Make some remarks yourself," said the chair- 
 man, taking his seat. 
 
 Springing to his feet, he resumed: 
 
 "Any one who votes for Taft will sanction the 
 committee's crafty conduct. Let us see to it that 
 we are honest ; that we and our brethern go against 
 the wily 'bosses.' The control of the convention was 
 in the hands of deceitful, spurious men of the com- 
 mittee. The people and their selected choice were 
 rolled over and cast aside by those committeemen 
 
 227
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 who were void of integrity. Was not the act a 
 swindle and a farce? Taft should not accept a 
 stolen nomination." 
 
 "Taft cannot convince American citizens that he 
 is worthy to administer further the affairs of the 
 nation. The voters in November will overwhelm 
 him ; for the grandest vote ever polled in the United 
 States will be for Colonel Roosevelt. ' ' 
 
 A third member spoke : 
 
 * ' W. H. Taft is not justly the nominee of the June 
 convention in Chicago. His nomination was gained 
 by fraud. In the evening Colonel Roosevelt re- 
 ceived the majority of the legally elected delegates 
 of the convention. Let us understand that the nomi- 
 nation of Taft was grossly more unfair than that of 
 Lorimer. As the latter is turned down, the former 
 should be treated in the same manner. ' ' 
 
 "After the Taft 'bosses' knew they had secured 
 the majority of the national committee, selected four 
 years ago, they caused base procedure in many 
 states, thus inducing the men fradulently chosen to 
 be brought to them. At once they were announced 
 convention delegates, while the justly and strongly 
 elected delegates for Roosevelt were unseatd. Thus 
 the national committee, with base purposes, reversed 
 the decisive action of the people of our country." 
 
 "Mr. Fenton," observed the chairman, "let us 
 hear your views." 
 
 "That Taft tries to defeat Roosevelt," proclaimed 
 Fenton, "is peculiar. The Colonel in 1908 worked 
 
 228
 
 ROOSEVELT'S MAJESTIC TRIBUTE BY SANTA FE LEAGUE. 
 
 hard for him; but this year the nation called for 
 Roosevelt and he could not help accepting. Why then 
 should Taft act villainously toward him! Not any 
 one in America to-day exceeds Theodore Roosevelt 
 in high morality and executive wisdom. I warmly 
 admire the Colonel and the principles for which he 
 stands. All honest and fair-minded people are for 
 Roosevelt. Let every person of our state and coun- 
 try vote for him whom the nation desires. I am 
 told that Wilson has no business experience, did not 
 conduct the financial affairs of Princeton College 
 so successfully as to prevent it being left in a de- 
 plorable condition. How can we place the affairs 
 of the nation in his hands?" 
 
 "Progressive Republicans are called ' progress- 
 ives.' What difference does it make? We are bap- 
 tized with a new power and are consecrated to cause 
 the expiration of Taft and the raising of Theordore 
 Roosevelt to the national leadership." 
 
 "It is the peoples' longing wish to have the 
 Colonel elected President; he is lovingly held in the 
 hearts of our brethern. President, Colonel Roose- 
 velt had wonderful power as chief executive of our 
 country; yet he is now mentally stronger than ever 
 and has greatly advanced in his knowledge and abil- 
 ity to lead again the people to life success and happi- 
 ness." 
 
 * ' Let us see to it that our country is carried splen- 
 didly for Teddy. The magnificent record of his past 
 deeds and his present courage will lead to greater 
 
 229
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 service and make him a wonderful President. His- 
 torically he will be placed with Washington and Lin- 
 coln. 
 
 "Roosevelt shall be conveyed magnificently into 
 the White House. The dastardly fraud against him 
 in the convention is the greatest that has ever 
 blackened the pages of American history. Yet the 
 Colonel, so fine a man, shall not go down to defeat 
 at the hands of political assassians. I have implicit 
 confidence in his judgment, integrity and leadership. 
 Let us extend most hearty support to him in any 
 manner which shall seem most expedient." 
 
 " 'THOU SHALT NOT STEAL,' " is a beauti 
 t'ul statement made by Roosevelt against the nation- 
 al convention. 
 
 "The revolutionary war brought forth Washing- 
 ton. The present crisis and millions of cheerful 
 words place Theodore Eoosevelt in the front, an- 
 nouncing him a sterling and peerless executive and 
 patriot." 
 
 "Mr. Enright," the chairman requested. 
 
 "I believe eighty per cent of our people will vote 
 for Roosvelt," pronounced Enright. "He will se- 
 cure a square deal administration for the people, of 
 the people and by the people. The men of all par- 
 ties in our country have firm faith in the Colonel 
 indeed, he is the peoples ' ideal. The November pres- 
 idential election will be a glorious result; for he is 
 our natural leader. 
 
 "Eoosevelt is in a splendid physical condition, 
 
 230
 
 NOBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. 
 
 has a clear, active and powerful mentality. It 
 would indeed be rare to find another person who can 
 exercise such mental and physical strength as the 
 Colonel. 
 
 "Consider Roosevelt's congressional messages. 
 They were so plain, so impressive upon the mind and 
 understanding, that they aroused the people and led 
 them to surprising interest in his statements. 
 
 ' ' Taf t holds a stolen nomination ; but the master- 
 workman, Theodore Roosevelt, who is a mighty lead- 
 er, was nominated by those delegates who were hon- 
 estly chosen by the northern states. He will sweep 
 the land from ocean to ocean, receiving the magnifi- 
 cent support of our voters on the fifth day of next 
 November. ' ' 
 
 "Mr. Goodson." 
 
 "Of course," he answered, arising from his seat. 
 "I take up a portion of the notable achievements of 
 President Roosevelt:" 
 
 NOBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THEODORE 
 ROOSEVELT. 
 
 "President Roosevelt established pure food laws 
 and drug acts to protect the people from poisonous 
 conditions." 
 
 "He fought reactionary Aldrichism in the Senate 
 and Cannonism in the House." 
 
 "Gave the country good railroad legislation." 
 
 "Brought to the people an employers' liability act 
 and eight hours for the persons employed."
 
 SHACKLES CAST 
 
 "Protected our national resources from illegiti- 
 mate greed and speculation." 
 
 "He was the person feared by the giants of fi- 
 nance." 
 
 "He established and raised human rights above 
 the rights of property." 
 
 "He also established Forest Reserve and Nation- 
 al Irrigation Acts." 
 
 "Made the improvement of waterways and the 
 reservation of water-power sites." 
 
 "Brought forward the construction of the Panama 
 canal. ' ' 
 
 "Settled the great anthracite coal strike in 1902." 
 
 "Established the Department of Commerce and 
 Labor. ' ' 
 
 "The Navy was nearly doubled in tonnage and 
 greatly increased in efficiency by him. ' ' 
 
 * * The battle-ship fleet was sent around the world. ' ' 
 
 "The Consular Service was reorganized." 
 
 "Colonel Eoosevelt established peace between 
 Eussia and Japan, causing the close of the long and 
 bloody war. ' ' 
 
 "The inauguration of movement for the improve- 
 ment of country-life conditions. ' ' 
 
 "He was given the Nobel Peace prize of forty 
 thousand dollars ; which he donated to carry forward 
 the industrial peace movement. ' ' 
 
 "Moreover he carried forward and recommended 
 many other fine achievements, advancing the condi- 
 tion and happiness of our people." 
 
 232
 
 A 000 091 548 8 
 
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