IN THE 
 
 SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPT. MARIO CARRILLO. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 HURST & COMPANY, 
 
 PUBLISHERS.
 
 Copyright, 1898, 
 
 by 
 F. TENNYSON NEELY. 
 
 Copyright, 1903, 
 
 by 
 HURST & COMPANY.
 
 STACK 
 ANNEX 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 CHARLES A. DANA, 
 
 CUBA S BEST FRIEND. 
 
 THIS BOOK 
 IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 SEVERAL of the stories which form this book 
 were originally published in the "Illustrated 
 American. It would have been easy for the 
 author to have increased the number of pages 
 which he now offers in this volume by simply 
 relating the misery, the agony and the non- 
 exaggerated martyrdom which the Cuban 
 people have suffered in their struggle for 
 liberty. 
 
 He has refrained from so doing, as the 
 American public is fully aware of that horrible 
 drama, and also because his intentions have 
 been to avoid describing such somber scenes. 
 
 THE AUTHOR.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ, 
 
 i. 
 
 MY FIRST BATTLE. 
 
 TO-MORROW we would meet the enemy. Gen 
 eral Gomez had called his officers together, and 
 the plans of the battle had all been discussed 
 and arranged. 
 
 I had joined the general s escort only the 
 day before, had not as yet been in a fight or 
 skirmish of any kind, and, like all men of my 
 age, I longed for the rattle of musketry and 
 the odor of burned powder. 
 
 Now, as I lay on the ground wrapped in my 
 blanket before the fire, in front of which some 
 pieces of beef were slowly roasting (my break 
 fast for the following morning, I began to 
 think over the incidents of the day and of the 
 coming battle.
 
 12 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 New to a soldier s life, everything had a 
 charm for me. 
 
 We had made a long and tiresome march, 
 and my weary bones ached painfully ; the 
 ground seemed harder than ever, and in aston 
 ishment I gazed at the sunburned warriors 
 around me, wondering how they could appear 
 so comfortable and sleep so soundly while I, 
 from sheer weariness and excitement, could 
 scarcely close my eyes. How was it that 
 they, on the eve of a battle which was to de 
 cide the fate of so many, could appear so un 
 conscious and indifferent? I wanted to talk, 
 to ask qestions ; it was only the idea of appear 
 ing unsoldierly that kept me from giving vent 
 to my feelings. 
 
 So to-morrow I would be under fire for the 
 first time ! What would I do ? How would I 
 feel? 
 
 Would I be able to stand up to my duty like 
 a man, or would I find myself quaking with 
 fear at the first sound of the musketry ? All 
 the stories I had ever read of battles came up
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 13 
 
 before me, and I remembered tales of men of 
 indomitable courage whose first experience had 
 been that of abject cowardice, whose inclina 
 tions had been to seek safety in flight. 
 
 Perhaps it all meant death, and that to-mor 
 row I should be lying stark and stiff in some 
 wayside ditch, a forgotten part of the little 
 band, and die as many another soldier had 
 perished in his first encounter with the enemy. 
 
 I pictured to myself, as I lay there, a rough 
 field the scene of the battle ; overhead hung 
 huge clouds of smoke, through which the rays 
 of the sun could scarcely pierce; the dead and 
 wounded, mingled in horrible confusion with 
 mutilated horses, useless machetes and guns, 
 and on every side sorrow, pain, blood and 
 desolation. 
 
 I could see the body of a boy, shot through 
 the breast. On his face an expression of 
 agony still lingered, while one hand was 
 pressed to his wound, his shirt stained dark- 
 red, marked where his life-blood had slowly 
 ebbed away, and his wide-open lids showed
 
 14 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 his glassy, motionless eyes, which no kind 
 hand would close ere his body would be thrown 
 hurriedly into an unmarked grave. 
 
 Slowly the embers of the fire grew dimmer 
 and dimmer; and calmed by the stillness of 
 the camp, I fell asleep. 
 
 I awoke to the sound of reveille. Hastily 
 saddling my horse and rolling my blanket, I 
 soon took my place in the line. 
 
 In the distance could be seen the enemy s 
 forces slowly approaching, the rising sun shin 
 ing on their equipments : one long, black line, 
 looking for all the world like a huge serpent, 
 which seemed to extend itself far on the plains. 
 
 A sound like a thunder-clap rent the air 
 the enemy s challenge. 
 
 General Gomez, together with his staff and 
 escort, were posted well to the south of the 
 field. On the west side was General A. Maceo, 
 with some one hundred and fiftv horse, while 
 to the east were four hundred cavalrymen 
 under the orders of Major Cepero. Away 
 down the field was the infantry, deployed in
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 15 
 
 line of skirmishers, four hundred strong : the 
 famous Oriental infantry, men who had 
 fought for three months, day by day, and who 
 knew not what fear was, though now driven 
 well-nigh desperate, for fortunate was he who 
 had a completely-filled ammunition pouch. 
 
 Our fate the fate of Cuba and her people 
 was to be decided; the men knew it, and 
 fought only as men can who see their brothers 
 every moment cheerfully give up their lives for 
 their country. 
 
 The battle waged fiercely ; our men, out 
 numbered, were fast being driven back, and as 
 I looked with excited eyes on the scene I heard 
 General Gomez say to an aide: "Tell General 
 Maceo to charge the left flank, Major Cepero 
 the right, and I, with my escort, will charge 
 the front. At the bugle-call the infantry will 
 cease firing. 
 
 As the bullets whizzed by, shells shrieked, 
 and men dropped, something seemed to clutch 
 at my heart; the perspiration stood out on my 
 face, my knees shook, my feet rattled against
 
 16 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the stirrups ; everything swam before roe. I 
 tried to speak, but could not, for my tongue 
 felt as if it had turned into lead. 
 
 I argued with myself, called myself a 
 coward, and tightened the grip on my machete : 
 all of no use. I was seized with the fright of 
 a soldier who is about to enter into action, and 
 who knows that possibly death awaits him. 
 
 Suddenly our captain gave the order to 
 charge ; forward we went. The thundering of 
 a thousand hoofs seemed to echo in my head, 
 intermingled with the roar of the artillery, the 
 rattle of our arms, and the cries and oaths of 
 the men. 
 
 The sensations of a moment before had left 
 me, and I now urged my horse on, my machete 
 in my hand, shrieking and shouting. My 
 blood seemed on fire. A volley from the 
 Spanish square. For a moment we hesitated ; 
 then faster, faster, harder and harder, like a 
 human avalanche, we tore across the field, until 
 with a crash we broke into the square ! 
 
 Carried away by the impulse and enthu-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 1? 
 
 siasm, by the cries and yells, I continuously 
 spurred my horse on ; a mist seemed to cover 
 my eyes; I knew not what I was doing, but 
 blindly thrust, parried and cut. 
 
 A face loomed up before me a pale, des 
 perate, horror-stricken one, and as I cut at it 
 and felt something warm wet my hand I gave 
 a wild yell of joy. My man rolled to the 
 ground between my horse s hoofs. Forward I 
 went, never turning my head, only trying to 
 clear my way and to avoid being surrounded 
 by the Spanish infantry. 
 
 My horse and myself seemed to obey the 
 same instinct of preservation. How long I 
 remained in that scene of carnage I do not 
 know. The notion of time was lost to me. 
 
 Panting, with parched throats and haggard 
 faces, we obeyed the call of "assembly;" 
 again the fit of trembling seized me, and my 
 teeth chattered so that I could hardly answer 
 to the roll-call. I was completely prostrated ; 
 T could not even lift my arm, and felt a horri 
 ble thirst.
 
 18 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Then for the first time I felt a severe pain in 
 the right hip. In the struggle some one had 
 hit me. When and how it happened I kmns 
 not. My companions crowded around and 
 congratulated me on my baptism of fire. Smil 
 ing, I gave them my hand, stained by the 
 blood of men unknown to me, whose names I 
 will never learn. All would have seemed a 
 dream, but the wounded and dead who sur 
 rounded us convinced me that it was a reality 
 the horrible reality of war. 
 
 All during that day I felt a profound sad 
 ness. I wanted to meet that man the first 
 who had wished to kill me; the first whom I 
 cut from my path with my machete and 
 to offer him all that I could to relieve him. 
 Little by little I forgot him, and now when I 
 wish to recollect him I can picture in my mind 
 only his two eyes full of hate, round and 
 small, like those of a bird of prey. 
 
 The day had been won. The Spaniards, 
 thoroughly routed, were beating a hasty re 
 treat, not even stopping to bury their dead
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 19 
 
 Order and discipline were forgotten in their 
 ranks ; some men took refuge in a neighboring 
 canefield, from whence, Then the torch was 
 applied, their cries of anguish could be heard; 
 others more sensible surrendered, who after 
 being disarmed were duly set at liberty. 
 
 At one end of the field stood the brave old 
 general, around him grouped his staff; in 
 front were two large piles of captured guns and 
 ammunition boxes. On every face joy was 
 painted. Nearly four hundred Spaniards lay 
 dead on the field, two hundred and seventy- 
 five Mausers had been captured, together with 
 three hundred and fifty thousand rounds of 
 ammunition. Our losses had been compara 
 tively small; but a cloud marred the joy of 
 many. 
 
 Major Cepero had deserted. Too much of a 
 coward to obey the general s order, he had 
 preferred dishonor and disgrace, and in the 
 heat of the action had turned and fled. Then, 
 and then alone, was it that we learned that the 
 glory of the victory was due to Gomez.
 
 20 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Cepero s courage had failed him, Maceo s 
 charge was stopped by a series of wire fences, 
 and to General Gomez, with one hundred and 
 fifty men, was due the glory of breaking a 
 Spanish square four files deep, thus snatching 
 victory from where defeat alone appeared. 
 
 "Long life to General Gomez!" was the 
 resounding cry of all during that, to me, ever 
 memorable day.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 II. 
 
 INSURGENTS AMBUSCADING A SPANISH FORCE. 
 
 I HAVE seen many brave men go down amid 
 a rain of bullets, fighting to the last. I have 
 seen them go into places, and carry out orders, 
 knowing it would cost them their lives, and 
 never flinch or hesitate ; but of all these the 
 death of one is most engraven on my mind. 
 
 One of our young comrades was Charles 
 Hooker, a happy, handsome boy of nineteen. 
 From the very moment his name was entered 
 on the roll he became a favorite with all, from 
 the highest officer to the last orderly. 
 
 Tall and slim of stature, his brown hair was 
 thick and curly, and his eyes were black, with 
 such an innocent look in them that you could 
 not help but wonder how he could accustom 
 himself to a life in which death played so
 
 22 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 strong a hand. Good-natured, with always a 
 kind word of encouragement, he yet had so 
 firm a sense of duty that ever tody looked up 
 to him. 
 
 He had already seen much hard service, and 
 at the time I write of wore the stars of a 
 second lieutenant, emblems which he had won 
 in battle. 
 
 Late in the afternon of July 6th, in the past 
 year, all was bustle and noise in the camp. 
 Bugle-calls were heard, the men ran hither and 
 thither, and the cries of the orderlies, mingling 
 with the loud orders of the officers, had thrown 
 the quiet camp into a state of uproar. 
 
 "I wonder what we are up to now?" shouted 
 Hooker, as he tightened the girth on his horse. 
 
 "Don t know; I guess we will soon find 
 out. Come on or you ll be late for forma 
 tion," I answered, springing into the saddlo 
 and trotting down to my place in the line. 
 
 Horses w r ere saddled, straps tightened, and 
 equipments hastily buckled on. The lino was 
 soon formed, and as we stood at attention while
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 23 
 
 Captain Planas was inspecting us we were won 
 dering why we were called out at so late an 
 hour; for it was live o clock, and all of us 
 knew that at that time no danger was to be 
 feared from the enemy. 
 
 "Squadron! Eight by fours! Column 
 right! March!" rang out in rapid succes 
 sion, and we slowly walked our horses out of 
 the camp, noticing, as we did so, that only two 
 squadrons beside our own were leaving, and 
 that all the "impedimenta," together with the 
 rest of the force, remained behind. 
 
 "Pvout order" soon followed, and the buzz 
 of some three hundred voices filled the air. 
 
 Hooker and I had just commenced our din 
 ner when the bugle sounded "boots and sad 
 dles, " and now as we rode side by side our con 
 versation naturally turned to that all-important 
 subject in a soldier s life our appetites and 
 empty stomachs. 
 
 I lamented the fate which had forced us to 
 abandon what would have been a most welcome 
 meal, and attempted to impress Hooker with
 
 24 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the seriousness of the situation and my pre 
 occupation as to where our next meal was to 
 come from. 
 
 He laughed merrily at the condition of my 
 mind, and strove to infuse me with some of 
 his good spirits. But I was not to be consoled, 
 and continued to grumble. 
 
 Slowly we rode along, and as hunger is not 
 a very good promoter of conversation, it soon 
 lagged, and the silence was only broken by the 
 tramp of the horses hoofs and an occasional 
 remark from one of the men. 
 
 Disgust at the prospect of spending a long, 
 cold night without a fire, joined to the gnaw 
 ing of an empty stomach, had succeeded in 
 throwing me into a wretched humor, and as I 
 rolled over in my blanket, and answered with 
 a grunt Hooker s cheerful "Good-night" I 
 mentally made a vow to make some one pay 
 for my feelings on the morrow. 
 
 Slowly the sentries paced up and down, look 
 ing with drowsy eyes on their sleeping com 
 rades. Silence reigned, broken only now and
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 25 
 
 then by the croak of a bullfrog in some distant 
 pond or the noise of the leaves in the tall palm 
 trees as the wind softly rustled them. Large 
 clouds blew up, and for a moment covered the 
 moon. Some drops of rain began to fall, but 
 still the tired men slept on, Captain Planas 
 alone remaining awake : the responsibility of 
 the ambuscade lay on his shoulders, and, 
 young in command, he felt too anxious to rest. 
 
 "Three o clock," he muttered, as he glanced 
 at his watch. "Sentry, pass the word to wake 
 the men and no one is to talk, " he added, 
 addressing the nearest guard. 
 
 "Now, men," he continued, as we hastily 
 sprang to our feet, "you are not to fire until I 
 command, no matter what happens. Fire low 
 and true. Remember that I have pledged my 
 word to capture the convoy, and I know that I 
 can count on you all. Let each man choose 
 his tree, and above all, no noise, and await the 
 order; then, aim well, and fire." 
 
 Silently the men took their places, and for a 
 moment the click of springs could be heard as
 
 ^6 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 we examined our Winchesters ; then, once more 
 all was still. 
 
 The first rays of dawn were lighting up the 
 sky when, at the turn of the road, some four 
 hundred yards away, a solitary horseman came 
 in sight the advance scout of the convoy. 
 Slowly he came on, looking from side to side, 
 his gun shining in his hand. 
 
 How handsome and soldierly he looked, I 
 thought, as his horse carefully picked its way 
 along the stony road ; at that moment a hun 
 dred rifles were probably leveled at him, await 
 ing but the word and a touch of the finger to 
 speed their messengers of death on their May. 
 
 Nearer and nearer he came; behind him 
 could be seen some one hundred men the van 
 guard. Already the first scout was abreast of 
 the ambush. Would he see us? If so, all 
 was lost. We heard the creaking of his equip 
 ments as he almost brushed us on his way by. 
 Now the main body was in sight ; in the middle 
 of which were twenty or thirty pack-mules 
 the coveted convov.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 2? 
 
 I glanced at Hooker at my side. His patient 
 manner never seemed to abandon him ; but the 
 color that came and went on his fair cheeks, 
 together with a hasty look which now and then 
 he cast at our captain, told me that, although 
 he could control his feelings, he was as im 
 patient as I for the fight to begin. All knew 
 that the moment for action was fast approach 
 ing. 
 
 There was the tramp, tramp of the troops 
 as with a steady shuffle on they came. 
 
 My blood rushed to my head, a choking sen 
 sation seized iny throat. I held my breath 
 lest it should betray us. I could feel every 
 pulse in my body throb as crouched behind my 
 tree I aimed and awaited the signal. 
 
 Still on they came. Twenty feet away was 
 the commanding officer, his eyes and ears on 
 the alert. God! would the order ever come? 
 
 At last! "Fire!" and the roar of three hun 
 dred rifles rent the air, re-echoing through the 
 woods ; the shouts of the officers and surprised 
 men, the clatter of hoofs and the sharp notes
 
 28 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 of the bugle, threw the peaceful scene of . ,a 
 moment before into the confusion and noise 
 battle. 
 
 At the first volley, ^aken by surprise, the 
 enemy gave way; but now they rallied and re 
 turned our fire. It was give and take, and I 
 knew we were in for a hard, stubborn fight. 
 
 A square was formed by the Spaniards, in 
 the middle of which were placed the loaded 
 mules. As fast as one went down his carcass 
 was dragged to the front, and soon a formida 
 ble rampart was formed, from behind which 
 the enemy knelt and fired. 
 
 The order had been given by Captain Pla- 
 nas, and we had closed in, surrounding com 
 pletely the square. 
 
 Side by side Hooker and I fought, and as 
 occasionally I caught sight of him through the 
 smoke I saw him firing, his hat off, his long 
 hair blowing in the wind, and his cheeks rosy 
 with the excitement of battle. 
 
 Frantically the surrounded enemy fought, 
 and the air resounded with the crack of the
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 29 
 
 fle and the whizz of the bullet as it sped ou 
 
 s way. 
 
 On all sides men went down ; some lay still, 
 while others writhed and groaned in frightful 
 agony, calling on their more fortunate com 
 panions to end their misery ; while in the 
 midst calmly stood Captain Planas, bending 
 now and then to soothe a wounded comrade, 
 urging and encouraging his men, unmindful of 
 his own safety. 
 
 Cries of derision and defiance came from 
 the square, answered by similar ones from us. 
 
 Suddenly a shout went up. Over-confident, 
 Captain Planas had advanced too near ; a bul 
 let had struck him in the breast, and he fell, 
 calling on us to avenge him. 
 
 Dismayed at our loss, we hesitated, and be 
 gan to yield; a panic seemed to seize us, and 
 death of which we had not thought before, 
 now appeared in all its horror. 
 
 The Spaniards, seeing onr condition, took 
 courage, and poured their deadly volleys into 
 our thoroughly disheartened ranks. Defeat
 
 30 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 and disgrace stared vis in tLeface; the battle 
 seemed lost. But it was willed otherwise. 
 
 An American boy was to save the day. 
 Grasping Cuba s torn and tattered flag of vic 
 tory in one hand, his machete in the other, 
 Hooker called on the men to follow him, and 
 looking neither to right nor left, he dashed 
 headlong into the square. The men, by one 
 common impulse, obeyed, and a horrible 
 scene of carnage ensued, the roar of musketry 
 giving way to the clash of steel. 
 
 In the center of the square stood the Yankee 
 boy, the blood running down his face from a 
 cut on his forehead, his eyes shining with the 
 light of a brave man, who fears not death, but 
 dishonor. 
 
 In his hand he still held the flag for which 
 he was dying, while with his machete he kept 
 at bay a burly Spaniard, who cut and slashed 
 at him. All around, men fought and fell; the 
 weakest heart grew strong and the hand struck 
 true as the men gazed on their brave young 
 leader.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 31 
 
 Like wild beasts we fought and killed, well- 
 nigh exhausted by our efforts, and desperate 
 at the loss of our captain. 
 
 The onslaught was too strong to resist; the 
 enemy broke and ran. The day was won. 
 
 But how much had it cost us ! For as I 
 looked I saw Hooker standing for a moment 
 amid the dead and dying, a ray of light, as it 
 stole through the smoke, lighting up his pale 
 but happy face ; slowly he sank back, the flag 
 pressed to his bosom, and as with uncovered 
 head I knelt by his side, he smiled and passed 
 away. 
 
 That night, as in a far-off land, a mother s 
 prayers went up to Heaven for her son, we 
 sadly laid him to rest, wrapped in the flag for 
 which he had braved death and died.
 
 32 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 III. 
 
 THE STORY OF GENERAL JOSE MACEO s DEATH. 
 
 UNDER a large cedar tree, a pile of stones, 
 surmounted by a plain wooden cross with the 
 words, "A Hero: Jose Maceo, " roughly 
 carved, are all that mark the spot where lie the 
 remains of ouo of Cuba s bravest soldiers, 
 awaiting the day when a fitter monument shall 
 be erected to show where he fell, righting for 
 the liberty of his country. 
 
 It was after a long and tiresome march that 
 I first met Major-General Jose Maceo. We had 
 lauded a few weeks previously in Cuba, and 
 it being our duty to report to him, we imme 
 diately set out. After passing through many 
 hardships, we finally accomplished our object, 
 joining him at Coralillo, a spot some thirty 
 miles west of Guantauamo.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 33 
 
 He rode out at the bead of his escort to greet 
 us, his tall, well-knit body swaying in perfect 
 grace with every motion of his horse, the large 
 brim of his hat pinned back and held in place 
 by an escarapela. He was dressed in brown 
 duck, and wore large, black riding boots, his 
 rifle slung across his shoulder and his dreaded 
 machete strapped to his side. He looked 
 every inch the warrior that he was. 
 
 After addressing us a few words of welcome, 
 we were assigned to a place in his camp; and, 
 asking us to dinner, he rode off, followed by 
 his staff. 
 
 That evening at six o clock, accompanied by 
 a friend, I went to his hut. After dining, and 
 when he had heard our own experiences, he 
 then, at our request, related to us the follow 
 ing account, by which one can well judge the 
 character and iron will of the man : 
 
 They landed, his brother Antonio, Flor 
 Crombert, Cebreco, Agramonte, four others 
 and himself, at ten o clock in the morning, in 
 plain view of the garrison which occupied the
 
 34 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 forts of Baracoa. Immediately arming tlierr.- 
 selves, and always in sight of the city, they 
 marched up a small hill and took possession 
 of a house, to await the attack of the Span 
 iards, whose force, ten times their own in 
 number, could by this time be seen leaving 
 the city. 
 
 As soon as the troops reached the foot of the 
 hill they were met by a well-directed volley, 
 which was kept up without ceasing until the 
 Spaniards retreated, abandoning all hope of 
 capturing them for the time being. After this 
 skirmish the party continued their march. 
 
 From that moment there commenced for the 
 little baud a most desperate and rough cam 
 paign. Knowing that they were pursued, a 
 halt or delay of any kind was dangerous. To 
 be captured then meant a prison-cell, from 
 whence, after a mock trial, they would be 
 dragged out and shot down like dogs ; so they 
 trudged along as well as circumstances would 
 allow. 
 
 The third day their guide deserted, leaving
 
 /N THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 35 
 
 them lost and wandering in the dense forest. 
 After forty -eight hours of uncertain and try 
 ing marches, a small hut was reached, where, 
 unfortunately, it was decided to rest. A few 
 hours later the Spaniards came up and com 
 pletely surrounded them, opening fire from all 
 sides of the camp. 
 
 A desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued, in 
 which Flor Crombert was killed, together with 
 two others; Agramonte was taken prisoner, 
 and Jose Maceo barely managed to cut his way 
 through and escape uninjured. 
 
 In the skirmish the little party had all been 
 separated, and Maceo now found himself alone 
 without food or drink. He was weary with 
 his long tramp, his clothes were in threads, 
 his torn and bleeding feet covered with rags, 
 and he did not know in which direction to 
 turn, encircled as he was by enemies. 
 
 Yet, not for one moment did his pluck and 
 grit abandon him. To have heard, as I did, 
 from his own lips the story of his wanderings 
 and sufferings during thirteen days, told iu
 
 36 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 bis quiet, simple way, without a word of 
 bravado or boast, one could not but admire the 
 man who, after having fought ten years, was 
 still ready to go through all these hardships 
 once more. 
 
 During those long days he suffered horribly 
 from hunger and thirst, living on sour oranges 
 and such berries as he found in his path, until 
 at last, well-nigh dead, he fell in with the 
 forces of General Perquito Perez. 
 
 General Maceo was a man of quick temper, 
 and acted on the spur of the moment, but when 
 he found he had committed a mistake no one 
 was more prompt than he to apologize and 
 atone for it, were it to his humblest soldier. 
 
 He stammered somewhat, especially when he 
 was angry ; then it was almost impossible to 
 understand him. In battle he would cross his 
 leg over the pommel of his saddle and wait 
 patiently for an opportunity to use his Win 
 chester; he was a wonderful shot, and God 
 help the unfortunate Spaniard at whom he 
 would airn !
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 37 
 
 He was constantly being wounded. At the 
 time I met him he already wore seventeen 
 scars; nevertheless, he was always the first in 
 a charge and the last in a retreat. 
 
 The following account of General Jose 
 Maceo s death I have from a brother officer 
 who was present at the time : 
 
 "At four A. M., on July 5, 1896, the bugle 
 sounded reveille, and I awoke to be informed 
 by my orderly that we were preparing to go 
 into action, and that the troops, some two 
 thousand strong, were advancing on us. 
 
 "Hardly had I mounted when a messenger 
 rode up, ordering me to join the general s staff 
 and serve as aid to him. This I did, never 
 leaving his side until he dropped from his 
 horse. 
 
 "We were camped at the foot of Lorna del 
 Gato (Cat Hill), by which the large highway 
 passed; on our left lay a small field, dotted 
 here and there with palm trees, while to the 
 right was a large and dense forest. 
 
 "The Spaniards were approaching from the
 
 38 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 north ; so, placing the cavalry back of the hill 
 for protection, and deploying some eight hun 
 dred men across the road and field, we patiently 
 awaited the enemy s pleasure. 
 
 "The moments stole by and silence reigned. 
 A shot from the outposts, another and another ; 
 Maceo s last fight had commenced. 
 
 "The enemy came on quickly, and the firing 
 began all down the line. They opened on us 
 with two field-pieces ; their shells, however, 
 went wild and did but little damage. 
 
 "Already our men were dropping; the 
 wounded were being carried to the rear , bul 
 lets whistled, shells shrieked and the cries of 
 the wounded filled the air. A young lieuten 
 ant was shot near the general, who never 
 moved. 
 
 "Suddenly we broke; Maceo saw it, and 
 putting spurs to his horse, he galloped down 
 the line, followed by his staff, to rally and 
 encourage the men. A bullet hit Maceo s 
 charger, which, with its rider, rolled over in 
 the dust. The general was up in a second,
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 39 
 
 mounting Lieutenant-Colonel Bonne s horse, 
 which a few moments later was shot through 
 the ear, the bullet just grazing Maceo s hand. 
 
 "The Spaniards were fighting furiously. 
 The only thing to keep them back was a 
 charge, and when we slowly trotted back of 
 the hill to join the cavalry each one of us knew 
 that the supreme moment had arrived. 
 
 "In a low voice the general gave his com 
 mands, and as we dashed around the hill he 
 rode well in front, his long, heavy machete 
 shining in the air. The enemj 7 saw us coming, 
 and hurriedly formed their squares. 
 
 "On on, faster and faster we rode. A 
 volley from the square, answered by cries of 
 Al machete! Al machete / Men dropped 
 from their saddles and riderless horses dashed 
 by ; twenty yards more and we would be on 
 them. 
 
 "Another volley, and the general reeled in 
 his saddle, straightened up and then pitched 
 headlong to the ground, shot through the head. 
 
 "Tenderly they picked him up and carried
 
 40 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 him back of the lines. An hour later I rode 
 up and found him lying on the ground, sur 
 rounded by his officers, unconscious, and 
 slowly dying. 
 
 "At three o clock in the afternoon, as the 
 last shots of the retiring enemy could bo heard 
 in the distance, Maceo slowly turned his head 
 and muttered : 
 
 " Al machete ! Al machete ! 
 
 Thus did Major-General Jose Maceo die, the 
 hero of La Indiana, La Galleta, El Jobito, 
 Piuar Kedondo, Majaguabo, San Luis, Dos 
 Caminos, Sao del Indio, El Triunfo, Canto 
 Abajo, Mayare, Arroyo Hondo, Sagua, Songo 
 and a dozen other battles, and last of all, 
 Lorna del Gato, where, like a truo soldier, he 
 fell, as eleven of his brothers had done before, 
 fighting the Spaniards, dying cheerfully for 
 that cause which he had always so nobly 
 defended.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 41 
 
 IV. 
 
 HOW I ONCE WORE THE SPAM H UNIFORM. 
 
 IT was a risky task, and the chances were 
 one in a hundred of making a success of it ; 
 but nobody stopped to think of that, for the 
 game was well worth the candle, and there was 
 enough excitement to satisfy the most adven 
 turous and daring spirit among us. 
 
 The following were Major Leoncio V ; dal s 
 plans: We were to ride down to the Cama- 
 juani Railroad, block the morning train with 
 its carload of guardia-civiles, compel them to 
 surrender, dress ourselves in their uniforms, 
 enter the town on the train, disguised in that 
 manner, burn it, and then beat a retreat. 
 
 All this was to take place in broad daylight, 
 with only thirty men at our disposal, and on
 
 42 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the sixteenth da} of March, in the year of our 
 Lord eighteen hundred and ninety -six. 
 
 Fun enough, we all thought, and that night, 
 as we sat around our campfires, the woods 
 resounded with the voices of our little band, 
 all laughing merrily at the joke we were about 
 to play on our friends the gringos. 
 
 The following morning, at the first note of 
 "reveille, " the men sprang to their feet, and 
 in a few minutes we were all ready, every one 
 eager for the coming lark. 
 
 In a short while we were en route for the 
 appointed spot, Major Yidal and I making our 
 number a round thirty ; but no one thought of 
 our strength, feeling sure of victory. 
 
 Major Vidal and his band may well be com 
 pared with Marion and his men. He was 
 greatly feared by our foes, being a great guer 
 rilla fighter, and as brave a man as ever wore 
 the rebel cockade. He would strike a blow 
 and be miles away, laughing over its success, 
 almost before the drowsy Spaniards awoke to 
 the fact that he had been in their midst.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 4- 3 
 
 Before the war be was a resident of Cama- 
 juani, a town noted for its loyalty to Spain, 
 and he never lost an opportunity of reminding 
 them of that fact, keeping the inhabitants in a 
 constant state of terror by frequently dashing 
 into the town or firing on the forts "keeping 
 up his circle of acquaintances, " as he called it. 
 
 Poor fellow ! soon after the little incident 
 which I shall attempt to relate he lost his life 
 while entering the town of Santa Clara. 
 When the news of his death reached Cainajuani 
 the joy of the people knew no bounds. The 
 town was decorated with the hated flag ; a ball 
 was given, the opening feature of which was a 
 torchlight parade ; at the head was carried a 
 dummy labeled "Leoneio Yidal, " and men 
 whom he once honored by calling them his 
 friends marched behind it. 
 
 But that is another story, and I am forget 
 ting myself. The men looked fighters, every 
 inch of them, dressed in their rough duck 
 suits (somewhat the Avorse for wear, and not 
 over-clean), and with their broad pauama hats
 
 44 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 thrown back off the forehead; even the horses 
 faithful little friends man}- of which bore 
 the scars of former escapades, looked particu 
 larly "scrappy" as they rattled their bits, 
 wondering where we were going and impatient 
 to arrive. 
 
 It was one of those mornings which can 
 never be forgotten. Overhead was the beauti 
 ful clear blue sky of the tropics, the air was 
 cool and full of the perfume of wild flowers, 
 and the birds chirped merrily to one another 
 from the branches above, as moved by the 
 wind they swayed to and fro a morning which 
 makes one s thoughts fly back to home and 
 peace, and causes a sigh to escape from the 
 lips as one awakes to the sterner reality of war 
 and death. 
 
 Vidal and I rode next to each other at the 
 head of our men, he giving me his orders for 
 the day s work. 
 
 "What s that tin can doing there strapped 
 to your saddle?" I asked, noticing a long 
 cylindrical affair hanging by the side of his leg.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH -GOMEZ. 45 
 
 "That," lie answered, with a broad grin, 
 "is a secret. You will learn its use soon 
 enough." 
 
 A short while afterward we arrived at the 
 track; the troop dismounted, tied their horses 
 to trees and formed, awaiting orders. 
 
 I looked at my watch ; half-past five. Our 
 train was not due before eleven o clock, so we 
 had plenty of time in which to do the work 
 carefully. 
 
 Yidal had chosen a spot which if made to 
 order would not have suited our purpose bet 
 ter. On one side of the railroad rose a tall 
 embankment, while on. the other the earth lay 
 smooth and bare as a billiard-ball. Fifty 
 yards further up, the track curved sharply 
 around a wood, which would screen us from 
 view until it was too late for the engineer to 
 avoid the trap. Away in tlio distance loomed 
 the church steeple of Camajuani, from the 
 cross of which floated Spain s flag. 
 
 Sentinels were posted some distance apart 
 on both sides of the railroad, and the men
 
 46 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMKZ. 
 
 rapidly set to work loosening uails arid Leap 
 ing obstructions upon the track. 
 
 Let me describe for the benefit of the reader 
 what an armored Spanish train means. 
 
 A few months previous to the time of which 
 I write General Gomez had issued a proclama 
 tion stating that he forbade traffic of any kind 
 upon the railroad, and that fifteen days after 
 date disobedience of orders would be at the 
 risk of life. 
 
 The Spanish government pooh-poohed the 
 idea, but saw fit, however, to take their pre 
 cautions, which they did in the following man 
 ner. An accident, such as being blown up by 
 a dynamite bomb, could not, of course, be 
 avoided, and they decided to fortify the trains 
 so as to make their capture a thing almost im 
 possible by placing behind the engine a car 
 full of .soldiers, thoroughly equipped to do 
 battle with a regiment. 
 
 The four sides of the car were covered with 
 steel plates punctured by diamond shaped loop 
 holes, but, in their sagacity, or may be not
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 4? 
 
 deeming it necessary, the Spaniards forgot to 
 cover the roof in a like manner. 
 
 This was their only vulnerable point, but 
 one of which we meant to take advantage, the 
 blockade being so placed as to bring the pro 
 tected car directly underneath the embankment 
 from which we intended to fire. 
 
 At eight o clock the work was finished, and 
 the order was given to prepare breakfast. 
 
 Now a morning s ride and labor like that 
 which we had done would sharpen the appetite 
 of any man, and I felt in a condition to do 
 honor to the most doubtful morsel. Presently 
 my orderly, Andre, stood before me with a 
 can of condensed milk in one hand, while in 
 the other he held a couple of much-charred 
 and veteran-like sweet potatoes. 
 
 I sat up and proceeded to make the most of 
 my meal. It may be said I did justice to it, 
 and in a short while nothing remained to tell 
 the tale but an empty tin can and the burned 
 skin of roasted potatoes. 
 
 A few minutes later I walked over and joined
 
 48 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Vidal, who still lingered over Iris frugal 
 meal. 
 
 "We ought to make a success of this job," 
 he said, looking with a suspicious eye upon a 
 "shady" morsel; "those beggars will not see 
 the block until it is too late to stop." 
 
 "But," I exclaimed, accepting and lighting 
 a cigarette, "suppose they run their engine 
 into that block ; it will jump the track, and 
 then we will not be able to enter Camajuaui as 
 you intend." 
 
 "Why, that stuff would never cause the 
 engine to jump the rail. Of course, the driver 
 will see it the minute he comes around the 
 curve, and he will reverse the engine. The 
 obstacle will only serve to bring the train to a 
 complete stop. What we must do is to fire as 
 accurately as possible through the roof and 
 blow the scoundrels out of the c;ir if they don t 
 surrender. The rest is mere child s-play." 
 
 I didn t quite see where the "child s-play" 
 came in, but of course I refrained horn saying 
 so.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 49 
 
 "That train is due in twenty minutes," he 
 added, glancing at his watch, "so you had 
 better call in the sentinels and post the men." 
 
 I turned to obey his orders, noticing as I 
 did so that he took a long fuse out of his 
 pocket, and I wondered where he had obtained 
 the dynamite, and why he had not mentioned 
 its acquisition to me. 
 
 The work had been well done. Enough rub 
 bish was piled on the track to hinder the pro 
 gress of the engine without causing a derail 
 ment, while further back several nails were 
 loosened, to enable us to remove a rail after 
 the train had passed, and in that manner pre 
 vent it from shunting out of the trap. 
 
 The sentries were soon collected, each man 
 allotted his position, ordered to lie flat on the 
 ground, and when the signal to fire was given 
 to blaze away at the top of the car. 
 
 By this time "Old Sol" was getting almost 
 unendurable, the back of my neck feeling any 
 thing but pleasant, and I mentally blessed the 
 tradition which makes all trains late as the
 
 50 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 hands of my watch marked eleven and no signs 
 of the train could be seen. 
 
 An odd sight we made, thus stretched out on 
 the ground, with our heads and gun-barrels 
 just showing over the edge of the bank a 
 picture appreciated by a dozen or more crows, 
 who cawed indignantly at us from the foliage 
 of neighboring trees. 
 
 Suddenly the whistle of the locomotive 
 sounded in the distance, and we knew that the 
 train would soon be along. Laughter and 
 jests ceased as if by magic death was in the 
 air. 
 
 Now the roar of the wheels could be heard 
 tearing along ; another second, and around the 
 curve swung the engine. In an instant the 
 driver saw his peril, reversed the engine and 
 whistled "down brakes;" too late, however, to 
 avoid dashing halfway through the heap, 
 where the engine stuck and the train came to 
 a stop, with the armored car directly beneath 
 us. 
 
 "Diablo I what s the matter?" shouted
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 51 
 
 voice from the rear door, followed by a head 
 imprudently stuck through the opening. The 
 questioner never found out, for a well-aimed 
 ballet united him with the "Great Army 
 Above, and his comrades dragged his body 
 back into the car. That shot had been the 
 signal, and the men poured their fire through 
 the roof of the car, to the disgust and rage of 
 the Spaniards, who now found the tables 
 turned, being shot down without seeing or fir 
 ing upon their assailants. 
 
 Never had I felt so queer under fire. Here 
 we were pumping lead into a pack of howling, 
 panic-stricken gringos, while we ran compara 
 tively no clanger. Never had that happened 
 before ; we determined to make the most of 
 our opportunity. 
 
 One of our men, carried away by the ludi 
 crous situation, jumped down on the car, and 
 in a second lay prone upon his face, pierced 
 by innumerable bullets. He paid dearly for 
 his foolhardiness, for we afterward counted 
 thirty-seven wounds on his body.
 
 52 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 A few moments later the man by my side 
 was wounded, and after placing him in a safe 
 position I returned to my post. 
 
 Hardly had I done so when I noticed Vidal 
 making for the top of the bank with the tin 
 cylinder in his hand, leaving in his wake a 
 thin streak of smoke, caused by the fuse which 
 he had lighted. 
 
 "This is adding insult to injury," I 
 thought, as I watched him crawl down the em 
 bankment ; but I consoled myself with the idea 
 that they would have done the same to us, and 
 I proceeded to watch the major. 
 
 On reaching the track he drew from his 
 pocket a handkerchief, and holding it above 
 his head, shouted : 
 
 "Hey! you men there, stop your firing! I 
 wish to negotiate a small loan (his very words) 
 which will not inconvenience you in the least." 
 
 I repeated the same order to our men, who 
 ceased firing, and were now watching their 
 leader. A strange sight, to be sure, as he 
 stood there, armed from head to foot, holding
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 53 
 
 in one hand the flag of truce, while in the 
 other he carried the bomb, with its spluttering 
 and sizzling fuse. 
 
 Out of the car door came a pale, horror- 
 stricken face; with eyes that blinked inces 
 santly as they peered through the smoke; a 
 little red line down his chest showed where he 
 had been hit; and I pitied him, as I watched 
 him stand there, waiting for Vidal to speak. 
 
 "Now, look here," said Leoncio, in his 
 commanding manner; "you are all in a pretty 
 bad stew in there (here the man worked his 
 mouth around into a smile which was posi 
 tively painful to behold), and I feel for you 
 all. So, after consulting with my captain 
 (pointing at me, which gesture I acknowledged 
 by saluting the officer, who returned it in a 
 very dignified manner), I have determined, 
 provided you surrender, to free you all, upon 
 the folloAviug conditions : 
 
 "First, that you pass out all your guns and 
 equipments; second, that you exchange your
 
 54 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 uniforms for ours, and third, that you take up 
 the positions which we now hold." 
 
 "And if we refuse, seiior, what will hap 
 pen?" replied the lieutenant, for such he was. 
 
 "Why, my dear fellow, you will not be in a 
 condition to regret it fifteen minutes later, " 
 answered "Vidal, as he placed the bomb directly 
 underneath the car. 
 
 "Par Dios ! put that thing out, " cried the 
 Spaniard. "I will agree to your terms. It 
 means dishonor and death to me, but I will do 
 it for the sake of my men. 
 
 "It is a soldier s duty to die," replied 
 Vidal sarcastically. "Hurry up about it," 
 he continued, "for that match won t last all 
 day." 
 
 And quick work they made of it, for in ten 
 minutes we stood dressed in the Spanish uni 
 forms and a pile of arms lay on the ground. 
 
 By this time some one had hauled the engi 
 neer and fireman from beneath the car and 
 ordered them to start the train. Placing our 
 prisoners on the embankment, we tipped our
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 55 
 
 hats, and with farewell words of consolation 
 and advice to them, we started on our way to 
 Camajuani, happy at the success of our ven 
 ture. 
 
 But we shouted too soon, for hardly had we 
 gone a mile w r hen we saw corning toward the 
 track a large body of infantry and cavalry, and 
 we knew that the game was up. 
 
 For a moment Yidal thought of attempting 
 to pass as friends, but the risk was too great, 
 the enemy outnumbering us by ten to one, so 
 accordingly the train was stopped and the 
 order to retreat given. 
 
 The Spaniards saw us, and in another 
 moment the bullets commenced to drop 
 about us. It is hard enough work for a 
 cavalryman to run, especially loaded down 
 with the accoutrements of two men, as the 
 majority of us were. I mourned the absence 
 of my little horse, and as I jumped fences and 
 cleared ditches I wondered if Andre had had 
 sense enough to place him in a safe spot. 
 
 Fortunately, the enemy did not pursue us,
 
 56 IN THE SADDLF. WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 and after a mile or so wo all brought up breath 
 less in a sheltering wood. 
 
 We Lad lost two men and had three 
 wounded: small pay for such a rich capture of 
 arms and ammunition as we had made. 
 
 "Where is that can?" shouted Tidal, after 
 he had recovered enough breath to be able to 
 speak. 
 
 No one replied. 
 
 "Confound it all!" he continued, "that 
 thing held my only pair of extra trousers ; and 
 here I am, dressed in this uniform, with the 
 bright prospect of going through all the war 
 in it."
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 V. 
 
 A EACE FOE LIFE. 
 
 THE sun had just reached the zenith when, 
 tired and hungry, we arrived at La Estrella, 
 and after having inarched for twenty-eight 
 hours, nrver halting except to water our horses 
 or bury our dead, the order to camp was given. 
 
 We i ere on our way to General Gomez, 
 bearing dispatches, and had reached what was 
 known as "the enemy s land." 
 
 The day before, our little force, one hundred 
 and fifty strong, had been greatly crippled by 
 an encounter with a superior force of the 
 enemy, in which we suffered in killed and 
 wounded a loss of twenty-eight men, and it 
 was with many misgivings as to our safety 
 that we came to a halt and encamped in this the 
 most dangerous part of the province. 
 
 Many years ago a wealthy man built a plan-
 
 58 Itf THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 tation on this spot arid called it La Estrella 
 (The Star). War arid fire bad since laid its 
 walls low, and in the distance now stood the 
 charred remnants of what was once a happy 
 home. Bare fields, encircled by wire fences, 
 still remained to mark the former cane planta 
 tion. Some three miles and a half away was 
 a small wood, in the midst of which stood a 
 prefecto s house, where a short while ago we 
 had left our wounded. 
 
 Fifty yards beyond our sentries ran the 
 Hanabana Kiver, the boundary line of the 
 Matanzas and Las Yillas provinces. 
 
 Colonel E. Fonts, a man held in high esteem 
 by General Gomez for his bravery and deport 
 ment, was in command, Captain J. Perez de 
 Alderete and I acting as his aids. Three days 
 before, we had received our dispatches from 
 General Zayas, with orders to march day and 
 night if necessary, but to deliver them before 
 General Gomez crossed into the province of 
 Havana. 
 
 Colonel Fonts is a young man, twenty-seven
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 59 
 
 years of age, and comes from one of the oldest 
 and best families in the island. He had many 
 times distinguished himself for bravery, and 
 once, after a severe action, Gomez had taken 
 his hand and presented him to the forces as 
 "the man who honored the cause and flag for 
 which he fought." 
 
 The guards had been posted, and as a pre 
 caution doubled, the rest of the force camping 
 together in the middle of the field, where the 
 tottering remains of a large hut yet stood and 
 formed a welcome shade from the blistering 
 rays of the sun. 
 
 Tired as we were, we forgot our danger, and 
 ordering our horses to be tethered, we threw 
 ourselves on the ground to rest and sleep. 
 
 There is nothing that disheartens a troop so 
 much as defeat, and our losses of the day had 
 caused that action to be numbered as such. 
 
 The men were gloomy and low-spirited a 
 most dangerous condition to be in for soldiers 
 who are sure to meet the enemy. I could hear 
 them, as I tried in vain to sleep, talking of
 
 60 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 our last action invoices that still betrayed their 
 terror, and I hoped that for that day, at least, 
 we would not stumble across the Spanish 
 forces. 
 
 The colonel and Alderete were soon asleep, 
 and I was in a fair way to join them, when 
 the clatter of a horse s hoofs on the hard 
 ground caused me to sit up. 
 
 "What is it, Jose?" asked the colonel, 
 awakened by the noise. 
 
 "A squad of about twenty men is coming 
 down the road from La Estrella, sir," an 
 swered the orderly. 
 
 In a moment the men were on their feet, 
 nervously fingering their rifles as they glanced 
 froa side to side, their blanched faces and 
 dilated pupils betraying too well their fears. 
 
 "Did you recognize the force?" demanded 
 Colonel Fonts. 
 
 "No, sir; they were too far away," replied 
 Jose. 
 
 "Very well," answered the colonel; "tell 
 Lieutenant Garrido to take five men and recou-
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 61 
 
 noiter the force, he added, turning to Captain 
 Alderete, who saluted, mounted, and rode off 
 to fulfill the order. 
 
 It was plain to me that Fonts was aware of 
 the condition of his men, and as he gave the 
 order to sound "Boots and Saddles" I won 
 dered if he was going to risk an encounter. 
 
 "I have delivered your order, sir," said 
 Captain Alderete, as he reined in his panting 
 horse. "Lieutenant Garrido has left the 
 camp ; Sergeant Zarnova is in charge of the 
 guard. 
 
 Stand at ease, ordered the colonel, to the 
 men, who had formed at attention. 
 
 As I glanced around I noticed the three 
 guards rapidly mounting and forming. Not a 
 moment was to be lost. Even the laziest man 
 stepped lively as he remembered in whose ter 
 ritory we were. 
 
 I mounted my horse, and as we stood there 
 large black clouds appeared, the wind fresh 
 ened, and drops of rain began to fall. At that 
 moment we heard the clear challenge of one of
 
 62 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the skirmishers the challenge which was to 
 be the death-knell for many of our men on 
 that unlucky day. 
 
 " Alto! Quienva?" 
 
 "Uspana!" came the reply, followed by the 
 sharp report of a rifle, and a bullet whizzed 
 through the air. Another and another. Fate 
 had willed it, and we had met the enemy. 
 
 "Steady there steady!" shouted the col 
 onel to the men, who, without receiving the 
 order, had commenced loading. "Tell Lieu 
 tenant Garrido, " he ordered, turning to me, 
 "to retreat into camp, so that the enemy will 
 follow him ; send twenty men to reinforce Ser 
 geant Zarnova and recall the other guards, 
 Captain Alderete. 
 
 After the first five or six shots the firing had 
 ceased, and as I galloped across the field I 
 wondered what had happened. 
 
 The guard \v as deployed in skirmishing line, 
 Sergeant Zarnova standing at their right. 
 
 "They are only fifteen, sir," he said, salut 
 ing, "Lieutenact G&rrido is out there trying
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 63 
 
 to draw them on; but they don t seem in any 
 great hurry. " 
 
 I continued on my way, and after crossing 
 the river saw Garrido. He and his men had 
 halted a short distance up the road, about 
 seventy-five yards from a small group of men, 
 who seemed undecided what to do. 
 
 "It s a small guerrilla force," said the lieu 
 tenant, "and they are afraid to advance." 
 
 "Ketreat, " I ordered, "and they will follow 
 you." 
 
 But there was no need of this order, for the 
 enemy had massed and was now approaching, 
 breaking into a gallop as they neared us. In 
 an instant we turned, and at full speed made 
 for the camp, while they followed us. 
 
 Suddenly our entire force appeared, coming 
 down the road like a lot of raving maniacs, 
 yelling, and brandishing their machetes, with 
 Fonts well in the lead, eager to avenge the loss 
 of the previous day. 
 
 Down the road they raced. Encircled in a 
 cloud of dust, hats off, machetes gleaming IP
 
 C4 IN tM SADDLft \VITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the air, the reins flapping on the horses necks 
 yelling at the top of their voices, and each one 
 striving to pass the other, while prudence was 
 thrown to the winds. 
 
 "Be careful of an ambush, colonel!" 
 shouted Alderete. 
 
 But the colonel s blood was up, and his 
 mind was set on overtaking the now fleeing 
 Spaniards. The rain was coming down in tor 
 rents, and the dust of a moment before was 
 fast turning into a heavy mud. Faster and 
 harder we galloped, now slipping, now sliding, 
 half-blinded by the shower of mud, straining 
 every muscle as we urged our horses in the 
 vain hope of capturing our foes. 
 
 They were making for the ruins of La Es- 
 trella, and in less time than it takes to tell 
 they disappeared behind the walls scarcely 
 fifty yards ahead of us. 
 
 "An ambush!" exclaimed Alderete. Too 
 late. A flash of over six hundred rifles blinded 
 us, followed by the whizz of as many bullets 
 and the awe-inspiring roar.
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 65 
 
 The enemy had been too smart for us. We 
 were caught in the trap. 
 
 The surprise was complete. Confusion 
 reigned. A moment before we could not ride 
 fast enough, now all our strength was exerted 
 in stopping our horses. The sudden halt 
 caused the rear ranks to ride into their leaders. 
 Horses and men went to the ground in horri 
 ble confusion. 
 
 The men would not listen to orders. Re 
 spect and discipline were forgotten. The 
 enemy saw their chance, and volley after vol 
 ley was poured into us. 
 
 Back again came the reinforced guerrillas. 
 With cries of "Viva Espanal" "Viva el 
 Bey\" they charged. This was the last 
 straw, and with a yell of terror our forces 
 turned and fled. I gave one last look at the 
 enemy, dug my spurs into my horse and rode 
 for my life. 
 
 No one who has not been so unfortunate as 
 to take an active part in a panic can for a 
 moment imagine the real meaning of the word.
 
 66 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 It is the cessation of all reasoning power, the 
 acceptance, as unavoidable, of an imminent 
 danger which no one stops to examine, and 
 from which there is no possible escape but in 
 a rapid and brutal flight. 
 
 The instinct of self-preservation frequently 
 transforms a coward into a famous hero; but 
 the same instinct, under other circumstances 
 and moral conditions often converts a handful 
 of brave men into a herd of sheep who run, not 
 knowing whither, to fall, perhaps, into a 
 greater danger. 
 
 Such was our condition on that unfortunate 
 day. I heard nothing but the triumphant cries 
 of our pursuers, and had but one thought : to 
 escape. I knew that a fall from my horse, or 
 even a slight wound, meant death from the 
 merciless sabers. Crazy with fright, I rode 
 like a frantic man, never stopping to grasp the 
 extended hand of a fallen comrade, or to heed 
 his cry for help. Trees and bushes appeared 
 before mej now they were fifty yards behind,
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 6? 
 
 yet it seemed as though I did not move, as 
 with relentless spur I urged on my steed. 
 
 A man went down in front of me, and as my 
 horse for a second stumbled over him I cursed 
 him. Now the river was reached. Every 
 man wished to pass first. There was space for 
 six abreast. Twenty sprang forward. Down 
 they went, and over them rode their comrades. 
 What matter if a hundred perish, provided 
 you live. Death death was behind me. I 
 could feel its icy clutch upon my neck. Death 
 in all its horror, of which I had never thought 
 and often joked death, that gaunt monster, 
 was calling me, with extended arms, empty 
 sockets and hollow, mocking laugh. 
 
 I could feel the dull thud as the saber 
 cleaved my skull. I cursed myself, I cursed 
 my luck. A branch struck me in the face ; it 
 would have stunned me before, now I hardly 
 felt it. 
 
 A mile away were the woods. To reach 
 them meant life and safety. Would I do it? 
 
 Around me rode the panic-stricken men,
 
 fi8 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 I 
 
 now scarcely fifty. On each face was painted 
 horror and fright. Each soul had but one 
 thought the woods. I turned in my saddle. 
 Twenty yards behind rode the jeering and 
 laughing Spaniards, now holding in their 
 horses, now dashing almost up to us. 
 
 I remember distinctly the aspect that their 
 leader presented. He rode a splendid black 
 horse rode as only men can who are born in 
 the saddle. His large sombrero was perched 
 on one side of his head, the black strap hold 
 ing it hung just below his lower lip, and 
 served to increase the fierce expression given 
 to his cruel face by a large and long mustache. 
 On his right wrist hung his saber, shining as 
 it swung to and fro. 
 
 When I turned he was in the act of loading 
 his "Winchester, and as he shoved the cart 
 ridges home he smiled in a diabolical, fiendish 
 manner. On both sides of him rode the troop 
 ers. One of them had jammed a shell and 
 broken the extractor, and his vile oaths could
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. CO 
 
 be distinctly heard calling down curses on the 
 head of the maker of the weapon. 
 
 Back on the road over which we had traveled 
 were seen the mutilated bodies of our former 
 comrades. Hither and thither ran riderless 
 horses, stopping anon to paw the ground and 
 sniff with fright the foul air. Overhead hung 
 a cloud of vultures, happy at the barbarous 
 sight, soaring without a motion of their wings, 
 and waiting for the moment when they might 
 satisfy their hunger. 
 
 As I straightened in my saddle a bullet tore 
 my hat from its cord ; a second one barely 
 missed my head, and I gave a gasp as I real 
 ized that I had been picked out as the next 
 victim. There is nothing more appalling than 
 to feel that you are thus singled out; that 
 you can no longer hide yourself among your 
 comrades. A moment later my horse 
 stumbled, recovered, and then pitched headlong 
 to the ground, sliding for a } r ard or more on 
 his side. 
 
 With a cry of alarm and rage I struggled to
 
 70 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 arise. I could not. My horse had fallen on 
 me, pinning me helpless beneath his weight. 
 All my efforts to reach my gnu or machete 
 were useless ; they lay beneath me, and strive 
 as I might I could not touch them. 
 
 Oh, the anguish of that moment! Never 
 will I forget it ! A soldier goes to war expect 
 ing to die, but to die like a man not to be 
 butchered like a pig. 
 
 As I lay there, expecting to hear the hiss of 
 the saber cutting the air on its way to end my 
 misery, millions of thoughts sprang through 
 my brain, and the seconds seemed hours. Ex 
 hausted by the run and the loss of blood 
 caused by its wounds, my horse refused to 
 obey me, but lay still and panting. In vain 
 did I coax, in vain did I urge ; all I received 
 in answer was an indifferent motion of his ears 
 as they beat time to the throbbing of his break 
 ing heart. 
 
 So this was the end of all my hopes and 
 dreams. A horse dashed up to within a foot
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 71 
 
 of me. I closed my eyes, muttered a prayer, 
 and awaited the end. 
 
 "For God s sake look sharp! Try to get 
 up! I have six shots in my Mauser! Pull 
 on the reins!" cried a voice that I recognized 
 as brave old Sisto s. 
 
 With the strength of a condemned man who 
 sees one more chance of escape I grasped the 
 reins and jerked my horse s head completely 
 off the ground. 
 
 Perhaps it was the pain, may be it was fate, 
 but my horse responded, and with an effort 
 rose to his feet. In a second I was up and in 
 the saddle, calling on my little thoroughbred 
 for a last attempt for life and liberty. 
 
 We rode as never man rode before. Around 
 us hummed and whistled the bullets the very 
 air seemed alive with them. 
 
 My horse appeared to realize the situation, 
 and stretched his wiry body and plied his 
 swift legs in a mighty and last attempt. 
 
 Never had he responded so to my words be 
 fore. With extended neck, and ears that lay
 
 72 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 back over his little yellow bead, he made with 
 terrific speed for the sheltering woods into 
 which our band was already vanishing. 
 
 Now over a ditch, now over a fence, nearer 
 and nearer we came, until at last, with a final 
 stride, we entered the sheltering trees. A 
 second later we were lost to view and saved. 
 
 "Why tell of the heartrending spectacle there 
 in? Of that sad sight of eighteen men, all 
 that remained of our force, scarcely one with 
 out a wound, all heartbroken. With a sob of 
 mingled grief and joy, I threw my arms around 
 my horse s neck and buried my face in his 
 shaggy mane. 
 
 Faithful little fellow ! Never had I a truer 
 friend.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 VI. 
 
 THROUGH THE JAWS OF DEATH. 
 
 "Is there a man here willing to risk his life 
 in this attempt?" demanded General Capote. 
 
 For a moment no one answered, each man 
 looking at his neighbor. Many present had 
 imperiled their lives over and over again ; but 
 this venture seemed too hazardous even to the 
 most dare-devil spirit. The odds were ten to 
 one against success. 
 
 "No one?" asked the general again, this 
 time with a ring of disappointment in his 
 voice. 
 
 "Pardon me, sir, but I will do it." 
 
 The speaker was Lieutenant Falcon, a mere 
 boy of twenty-two, the favorite of his regiment. 
 
 A murmur of surprise and applause ran 
 through the assembled council as Falcon arose 
 and made his statement.
 
 74 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "I congratulate you, sir; the brigade 
 should be proud of you," replied the general, 
 a smile lighting up his rugged face as he affec 
 tionately placed his hand on his young subor 
 dinate s shoulder. 
 
 "Gentlemen," he continued, "you are dis 
 missed. Lieutenant Falcon, kindly remain a 
 moment longer. 
 
 Somewhat shamefaced, the officers saluted 
 and retired. 
 
 The capture of a fort had for some time 
 been thought of, and the general had on that 
 night called his officers together and submitted 
 to them his plan of attack. To obtain posses 
 sion of the enemy s post by force was impossi 
 ble. By strategy alone could it be effected. 
 
 The fort in question was garrisoned by one 
 hundred and twenty-five men, including three 
 officers, and was well provided with ammuni 
 tion. It was, in fact, a halting-place for all 
 Spanish columns in need of the necessary im 
 plements of war. 
 
 Situated in a large clearing, surrounded by
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 75 
 
 a ditch six feet by four, again encircled by a 
 fence formed of six wires, it was, as the reader 
 may well imagine, most difficult to approach. 
 
 For many days Capote had been scheming, 
 and after hearing his plan the officers were 
 unanimous in their approval. 
 
 Just below one of the sentry-boxes an open 
 ing had been made, barely large enough to 
 admit the passage of a man. Its use formerly 
 had been as an exit for garbage, but it now 
 lay almost hidden beneath the grass which 
 time and idleness had allowed to grow. 
 
 To enter the fort through the aperture, over 
 power the surprised guard and open the door 
 to our men this was the venture which the 
 young lieutenant had undertaken. It was a task 
 to tax the nerve and resource of the boldest. 
 
 Lieutenant Alfred Falcon had but a few 
 months previously joined the brigade ; but 
 being in the fullest sense of the phrase "a 
 jolly good fellow," he had quickly made 
 friends with everyone. His light-hearteduess 
 and happy-go-lucky ways were captivating.
 
 76 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "Now, my boy," continued the general, 
 after all Lad left, "you are doubtlessly 
 aware of the imminent peril of the mission 
 which you are about to undertake, and while 
 admiring your courage, I cannot refrain from 
 attempting to lay before you all the risk you 
 will incur. You are far too young to throw 
 away your life so recklessly." 
 
 "I thank you, sir, for your kind advice," 
 replied Falcon ; "but I have thought over all 
 the dangers, and I am determined to go." 
 
 "Very well, so be it," answered General 
 Capote. "AVhen will you be ready to start?" 
 
 "To-morrow evening would suit me, "said 
 Falcon; "the moon will not be up before two 
 o clock, and by that hour all will be over." 
 
 "As you wish. I will break camp at seven 
 o clock to-morrow night. That is all," said 
 Capote. 
 
 Lieutenant Falcon turned, and walked to 
 ward a group of brother-officers who were im 
 patiently waiting to congratulate him. 
 
 A circle was formed around the huge camp-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 7? 
 
 fire, on which a large pot of coffee was soon 
 boiling. Pipes and cigarettes were lighted, 
 and Falcon was requested to stand up and en 
 lighten the assembly as to his plans and his 
 hopes of success. 
 
 "Boys," he cried, while striving to balance 
 himself on the trunk of a fallen tree "boys, 
 we are all here to fight for the same cause, and 
 I know that if I should fail to-morrow every 
 one of you would be eager to make the same 
 attempt. I ll let you into that fort to-morrow 
 night, boys, or 
 
 But here he lost his balance, and his gen 
 erous speech was cut short. 
 
 Many were the deeds of valor told and lis 
 tened to that night, and the meeting was prom 
 ising to be a long one when it was interrupted 
 by the notes of the bugle sounding "taps, " 
 followed a second later by the shrill whistle of 
 "silence." 
 
 "Good-nights" were whispered, and each 
 man betook him to his quarters, and then the 
 measured step of the sentry alone broke the
 
 78 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 silence. Now and then a form would disen 
 tangle itself from its numerous coverings and 
 arise to throw a log on the fire, which would 
 leap and flare, casting its bright light over the 
 blanketed bodies of the sleeping men. 
 
 The day dawned beautiful and cool. The 
 woods were alive with the merry twitter of 
 birds as the men bustled about preparing their 
 breakfast. 
 
 Horses were bathed, and tethered in spots 
 where the grass was fresh. Hammocks were 
 uuslung and rolled up. Pots and kettles were 
 hung over the h res. Vegetables were being 
 washed and peeled, while over everything pre 
 vailed such an atmosphere of joy and peace 
 that were it not for the glitter of steel from the 
 stacked arms one would have imagined himself 
 on some merry hunting expedition. 
 
 Here and there were officers writing letters, 
 while others, less held by the ties of home and 
 friendship, stood idly smoking as they watched 
 the grooming of their favorite horses. 
 
 "JEJow is Mambi sleg this morning, Juan?"
 
 IN 1 THE SADDLE WITH GOMKZ. 79 
 
 asked Falcon, gently running his hand over a 
 cruel -look ing scar. 
 
 "As fit as can be, sir," answered the 
 orderly. "You will be able to ride him to 
 night," he added, casting an admiring glance 
 at his young officer. 
 
 "Come here; take this, old boy," called 
 Falcon, as he held out to his horse a tempting 
 fresh carrot. The little fellow lifted his soft 
 nose from the grass, and catching sight of the 
 generous offering, lazily accepted it. 
 
 Slowly the day wore on, till at last the sun 
 sank beneath the horizon. 
 
 Preparatory call had just been sounded, and 
 the camp was hastily preparing for its noctur 
 nal expedition. 
 
 The forms of the men stood out like sil 
 houettes in the fading twilight, and their gro 
 tesque shadows danced to and fro across the 
 open field. 
 
 Tararaaa tararaa ta-ta-ta ti-ta ! rang 
 out, and was followed by the orders, "Fall in, 
 men! Lively, there!"
 
 80 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 The trampling of four hundred horses, the 
 rattling of stirrups and arms, for a moment 
 vibrated through the air ; then all was silent, 
 each man at attention in his place. 
 
 One after another came the orders, and the 
 troop broke into columns of two and marched 
 by the guard. 
 
 Falcon rode at the side of his men as calm 
 and collected as if on pleasure bent, his slim 
 figure making a strange contrast to those of his 
 hardened veterans. 
 
 Not a word was spoken, and the troop jour 
 neyed in an ominous silence. 
 
 At the head of his men rode General Capote, 
 his large Panama hat pushed back from his 
 forehead, looking an out-and-out fighter. 
 
 A march of an hour, then a halt. The men 
 dismounted, tied their horses and continued 
 their journey on foot. 
 
 The hands of the watch pointed to twenty 
 minutes past nine when the spot designated for 
 the final halt was reached. 
 
 Through the haze could be dimly traced the
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 81 
 
 faint outlines of the fort where it stood on the 
 summit of a small hill, the north side of which 
 gradually sloped until it reached a level. The 
 trees for fifty yards about it had been felled, 
 and now lay hidden beneath the tall grass. 
 
 Orders were issued in a low tone, and the 
 men rapidly deployed, surrounding the open 
 ing, screening themselves from view behind 
 the bushes and trees. 
 
 The mist of a short while before had thickly 
 settled down into a heavy fog, most favorable 
 to their designs. 
 
 The fort could no longer be discerned, and 
 the monotonous tramp of the sentry pacing his 
 beat, varied anon by the rattle of his arms as 
 he shifted position, was the only sound which 
 reached their ears. 
 
 Ten o clock. A scurry of feet, and a shaft 
 of light darted forth into the fog as a door 
 opened and the relief squad turned out. Then 
 once more all was still. 
 
 Behind a broad ceiba was Falcon. He had 
 taken off his spurs and all his arms, retaining
 
 82 IX THE SAD -I.E WITH GOMKZ. 
 
 only his hunting-knife and revolver. At his 
 side was General Capote, talking to him in a 
 low whisper. 
 
 The boy s face was pale as death, but in his 
 eyes shone the light of a brave and fearless 
 nature. 
 
 "Remember," cautioned the general 
 "avoid all unnecessary danger. Chance may 
 favor you and allow you to pass the sentry 
 unseen. Do so, if possible. The doors are 
 on your right as you enter. There is but one 
 bolt. Withdraw that and fling them open. 
 From the moment that you leave here 
 I will pass the word, so that everyone may 
 be ready to act. I thinK you may safely start 
 now. Are you ready?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied the brave lad. 
 
 "Go, then, my boy, and may God watch 
 over you," answered the general, grasping his 
 hand. 
 
 In another moment Falcon had stepped 
 from behind the tree and was parting the 
 bushes that separated him from the clearing
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 83 
 
 Then down on his hands and knees he went, 
 and softly pushing aside the tall grass, started 
 on his journey of duty and peril. 
 
 Slowly and gently he crept along, stopping 
 every few yards with bated breath and throb 
 bing heart to listen. Stones and thorns pierced 
 and lacerated his hands, but he heeded them not. 
 
 Now he had reached the fence, and could 
 plainly see the form of the sentry. 
 
 For a moment he hesitated ; then, as the sol 
 dier disappeared behind the box, he quickly 
 slid beneath the bottom wire. A few yards 
 further and he touched the edge of the ditch. 
 The most difficult and dangerous part of his 
 journey had been reached. 
 
 How was he to cross that broad strip of 
 space without attracting the guard s atten 
 tion? To jump was impossible, and not to be 
 thought of. There was only one way to accom 
 plish it. He must drop into the ditch and 
 crawl up the opposite embankment. 
 
 AVith a hand that trembled from excitement 
 he felt along the edge until, finding a protrud-
 
 84 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 ing root, he grasped it firmly with both hands, 
 lowered himself over the edge, and as his feet 
 broke the surface of the green stagnant water 
 and touched the muddy bottom he heaved a 
 sigh of relief. Quickly he turned to seek the 
 opposite side, when an unfortunate movement 
 of his hand loosened a pebble, which dropped 
 with a splash into the water. 
 
 Instantly the sentry stopped, and as Falcon 
 looked up he saw the man peering directly 
 over the ramparts into his face. Falcon stood 
 like one paralyzed; he dared not breathe, and 
 his heart throbbed painfully as for a moment 
 his blood seemed turned to ice. 
 
 It seemed ages before the sentry faced about 
 and resumed his walk ; and even then Falcon 
 feared to stir, lest hit! next movement should 
 betray him. However, after a few moments 
 his confidence returned, and exerting all his 
 strength, he drew himself up the incline. 
 Once there, he groped around until he found 
 the entrance, and, crouching down, paused to 
 gain strength for the final effort.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 85 
 
 His clothing was in shreds, and his bleed 
 ing hands, into which the mud was ground, 
 stung fiercely. 
 
 It was growing late, and no time was to be 
 lost. Casting a last look at the spot where he 
 had left his comrades, he grasped his knife, 
 and, throwing himself flat upon his stomach, 
 slipped into the opening. 
 
 Slim as he was, he could barely squeeze his 
 way through. Inch by inch he slowly ad 
 vanced, now dragging, now pushing, with a 
 steady snake-like motion. Dust and moss 
 fell from above, filling his lungs and nearly 
 choking him. It seemed as if the end would 
 never be reached. Every few seconds he could 
 see the soldier s feet as they passed the open 
 ing of the passage. Falcon knew that he must 
 time himself so as to leave the tunnel directly 
 after the Spaniard passed the exit, and then 
 surprise and overpower him when his back was 
 turned. Once more the man s feet came into 
 view and disappeared. 
 
 "I ll do it the next time," muttered Falcon.
 
 86 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Back again came the sentry. Shuffle 
 shuffle, closer and closer, came the steps, 
 until, when almost opposite Falcon s face, 
 they stopped. The next instant the butt of the 
 gun struck the ground : the sentinel had halted 
 tired, perhaps. A fatal coincidence, and 
 one which, if prolonged, would result disas 
 trously. Falcon decided to act. 
 
 Edging a few inches nearer, he firmly 
 grasped the knife. Without a thought to his 
 own safety, he sprang out, almost from under 
 the feet of the surprised guard. 
 
 For a second both men faced each other; 
 then with a tiger-like jump Falcon sprang at 
 his foe s throat, but not before his startled 
 adversary had raised his gun and driven the 
 bayonet through Falcon s leg, where, becom 
 ing unlocked from the barrel, it remained. 
 
 With a half-stifled cry of pain, the brave 
 officer fell to the ground, dragging his antag 
 onist with him. Over and over they rolled, 
 the grasp on the Spaniard s throat preventing 
 him from making any outcry.
 
 TN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 87 
 
 Tightening his hold, Falcon brought his fist 
 down with crushing force upon the face of hia 
 opponent. Again and again it descended, 
 until the man s head sank back upon the 
 ground. Fully convinced that lie was not 
 shamming, Falcon loosened his hold and pain 
 fully grose. 
 
 Almost fainting from the struggle and loss 
 of blood, he started for the door. 
 
 It was only necessary to walk a few yards, 
 yet the distance seemed immeasurable as 
 slowly he dragged his crippled limb after him, 
 until at last, with a final effort, he reached the 
 entrance, withdrew the bolt, and threw the 
 door wide open. For a second nothing 
 stirred. Then in poured a shrieking, shout 
 ing human avalanche. 
 
 Throughout the fort resounded the victo 
 rious yells of the Cubans. The sharp crack of 
 the revolver, the crash of steel and the cries of 
 the surprised and dying Spaniards made the 
 place a pandemonium. 
 
 Some were shot as they lay in their cots;
 
 88 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 others, more fortunate, Lad time to defend 
 themselves. 
 
 For over an hour the struggle continued. 
 Then, little by little, the uproar subsided 
 and presently to the peak of the flagpole 
 fluttered up the solitary star of Cuba. 
 
 Around a bench in the guardroom were 
 grouped a crowd of officers, looking with anx 
 ious eyes upon the still form of Lieutenant 
 Falcon. They were waiting impatiently for 
 the verdict of the doctor, as with tender hands 
 he withdrew the bayonet and bandaged the 
 wounded limb. 
 
 "Gentlemen," said the physician, putting 
 the finishing touches to his work "gentle 
 men, Lieutenant Falcon will in a few weeks be 
 able to resume his place among you." 
 
 "Captain Falcon, you should say," replied 
 the old general, as he bent over the silent 
 form and pinned three silver stars on the 
 blood-stained shirt.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 VII. 
 
 FIGHTING WITH DYNAMITE. 
 
 IT promised to be a novel experience, and I 
 felt a thrill of excitement run through me 
 when my name was mentioned together with 
 that of Captain Domingo del Monte as chief 
 actors in the venture. 
 
 We were going to mine the highway, and, if 
 possible, blow half a column of Spaniards into 
 eternity. 
 
 Captain Del Monte received his orders in 
 his methodical, cool English manner (he had 
 been brought up in England), not betraying 
 his emotions even by the quiver of an eyelash. 
 I, on the contrary, could feel the color come 
 and go in my face ; and as I extended my hand 
 for the six little deadly black packages it 
 trembled so that for a moment it looked rather
 
 90 Ift THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 dubious as to just when the explosion would 
 take place. 
 
 "Captain Del Monte will superintend the 
 construction of the pits, while you M ill be in 
 charge of the men and dynamite," said Colo 
 nel Alvarez, as he dismissed us. "And," 
 he continued, "try to make a success out of 
 this." 
 
 Handling my perilous parcel with the great 
 est respect and care, I turned and walked with 
 Del Monte back to our quarters. 
 
 Almost any one who has not had any deal 
 ings with dynamite is liable to feel a trifle ner 
 vous when thrust so unexpectedly into contact 
 with it. I confess that, while feeling highly 
 honored by my commission, I would fain have 
 handed over to any one else the glory of carry 
 ing the explosive. My fears, I observed with 
 pleasure, were not unshared ; for my orderly, 
 upon my arrival, and after noticing my unwel 
 come burden, withdrew to a very respectful 
 distance, whence every now and then he cast 
 upon me a sorrowful and apprehensive glance.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 91 
 
 Placing my parcel in a secure spot (where 
 everyone could see it and avoid intruding 
 upon its uncertain temper), I invited Captain 
 Del Monte to breakfast with me and discuss 
 our plan of action. 
 
 "When will you be ready to inarch ?" I 
 asked, starting to light a cigarette, but quickly 
 changing my intentions. 
 
 "Well, you see, that depends," drawled Del 
 Monte, in his Piccadilly accent. "We must 
 wait for Manuel, who left early this morning 
 for the deposit, where the batteries and other 
 utensils are stored. The troops will not be 
 along before to-morrow afternoon, so if we 
 leave here to-night and encamp near the road 
 we will have plenty of time in which to work. 
 How many men will you take?" 
 
 "How many shall you require?" I asked. 
 
 "Fifteen men can do the work in two 
 hours," answered he. "If you intend to 
 fight, however, you should take a larger force. 
 
 "My orders are to protect you from a sur 
 prise while you work," said I, "and after the
 
 92 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMKZ. 
 
 mines are exploded I am to fire a fe\v volleys 
 and retire in good order. Colonel Alvarez s 
 idea is for me not to fight, but to so cripple 
 and frighten the Spaniards with the dynamite 
 that they will abandon all farther intention cf 
 attacking TIS and retreat into the village. 
 
 "Oh, if that is the case, thirty men should 
 be sufficient, " replied Del Monte, yawning to 
 the full extent of his powerful lungs. "My 
 goodness!" he continued, "do you intend to 
 starve me? Here it is halt-past eleven and 
 your man doesn t seem to be making much 
 headway with his cooking." 
 
 "Here, Raphael," I called, "what s the 
 matter with breakfast? Everybody else has 
 finished, and we have not even begun." 
 
 "The chicken is a little tough, sir," he an 
 swered apologetically, "and 
 
 "Chicken!" I exclaimed, in surprise. 
 "Why, where did it come from?" 
 
 "Why, it was kind of wandering around, 
 sir, and I thought it would come in handy," 
 said the black rascal, with a capacious grin.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 93 
 
 "How are you cooking it?" inquired Del 
 Monte, with awakened interest. 
 
 "Frying it in tallow, sir," replied Raphael, 
 with all the seriousness of an imported chef. 
 
 "Well, see that you bring it in hot," said I, 
 as he returned to his fire. 
 
 "Where did you get that cook?" asked Del 
 Monte, when the man had left. 
 
 "He turned up after the encounter at San 
 Felipe," I replied. "He was very much 
 rattled and unstrung, and convinced that cook 
 ing was more in his line than fighting, so I 
 let him be my cook." 
 
 "Well, he knows how to obtain a breakfast, 
 answered Del Monte. "I hope his cooking is 
 equal to his foraging. 
 
 "Here is the heralded morsel now, and you 
 can see for yourself," said I cheerfully, as 
 Raphael appeared upon the scene with a much- 
 battered kettle, in the bottom of which, float 
 ing in a sea of seething tallow, was the dimin 
 utive chicken. 
 
 We had long since forgotten the authentic
 
 04 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 appearance of a properly cooked fowl, so, tak 
 ing our chef at his word, we began eating 
 rapidly, lest the tallow should grow cold, as A 
 vegetable we had roasted bananas. Our frugal 
 meal at an end, we lay down under a shady 
 tree to enjoy a cigar which would have passed 
 muster as A No. 1 in any part of the world. 
 
 "Thank goodness there were only two of us 
 to that chicken," muttered Del Monte, wiping 
 the tallow from his lips. 
 
 The heat soon became oppressive. The 
 camp grew very still. The men lay silently 
 under the bamboos. There was no sound but 
 the low cooing of doves in the branches over 
 head. 
 
 Soon my eyelids grew heavy, and, lulled by 
 the rustle of the leaves as an occasional puff of 
 wind gently swayed their branches, I fell 
 asleep. 
 
 From a dream of Spanish tortures, a hide 
 ous nightmare, I was awakened by a blessedly 
 familiar voice in my ear, saying, "Manuel has 
 just returned, sir."
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 I opened my eyes to find my orderly and 
 Manuel at my side, the latter with a large 
 bundle on his shoulder. 
 
 "Eh returned? Who? Which? Oh, 
 yes! Did you bring all the stuff, Manuel?" 
 I asked, after much bewildered yawning. 
 
 "Yes, sir. All that I could find. I have 
 two batteries here, fifteen hundred feet of 
 wire, a couple of shovels and pickaxes, to 
 gether with a box of sawdust, which will serve 
 to carry the dynamite in," answered he. 
 "Here are the batteries, " he continued; "the 
 rest of the outfit is on the mule. 
 
 "Very well. We must start at once, if Cap 
 tain Del Monte is read} . Go tell the captain 
 it is two o clock, Kaphael." 
 
 In a few minutes the orderly returned, fol 
 lowed closely by Del Monte, who agreed with 
 me that it would be well to start at once. 
 
 An hour later we had set out on our march. 
 The force consisted of thirty-five men and a 
 pack-mule, which carried the batteries, tools 
 and the box containing the explosive. It was
 
 96 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 most ludicrous to notice how every one avoided 
 that mule, and once when he became stuck in 
 a bog and began to rear and plunge in his 
 efforts to free himself a panic was narrowly 
 avoided. 
 
 All the men scattered, deploying, by force 
 of habit, at about seventy -five yards distance, 
 where they impatiently awaited the outcome 
 of events. The animal, however, managed to 
 extricate himself, and resuming his customary 
 woebegone expression, again plodded calmly 
 along. 
 
 The first stars were sparkling faintly in the 
 darkening sky when we reached our destina 
 tion and halted. 
 
 The outposts were stationed, horses unsad 
 dled, hammocks slung, blankets unrolled, and 
 a large fire kindled, making us in a very short 
 while tolerably at home. 
 
 Suddenly there arose high in the air a human 
 voice. Louder and stronger it swelled, now 
 rising, now falling, as with the old vigor of 
 happier days Del Monte sang "The Marseil-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 07 
 
 laise. " The sound, caught up by the woods, 
 re-echoed far away, and at the grand chorus in 
 which France calls her children to arms my 
 depression and care were forgotten. My blood 
 once more leaped through my veins as I 
 proudly felt that I was fighting for that sacred 
 cause: Liberty. 
 
 At dawn the camp was busy in its prepara 
 tions for the coming adventure. A spot was 
 chosen about two hundred yards distant from 
 the road as a safe place from which to operate 
 the batteries; and the wire, extended in as 
 straight a line as possible, was covered with 
 dirt and twigs, so that its glimmer would not 
 betray us. Upon reaching the wall which ran 
 parallel with the highway it was passed be 
 neath the lower layer of stones. 
 
 The pits were dug eight feet by four and 
 three in depth. At the bottom of the holes 
 ivere placed the three cartridges, two feet apart 
 the set joined by a wire which in turn was 
 connected to the main one. Rocks and logs 
 were placed on top, which were again covered
 
 08 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 with earth. The surface was leveled arid 
 trampled upon so as to remove all traces of 
 freshly shoveled dirt. 
 
 In an incredibly short time all was finished, 
 and the men, nothing loath to separate them 
 selves from so dangerous an article, scampered 
 back into the woods. 
 
 The batteries were ordinary storage ones, 
 with a connector to join on to the wire, and a 
 small telegraphic button which, when pressed, 
 would explode the mines. 
 
 Del Monte had charge of one of these and 
 his aid of the other. I was to give the signal 
 when the enemy had passed over the further 
 pit, so as to make sure that both mines would 
 be covered before the buttons were pressed. 
 
 It was well near half -past one when the dis 
 tant notes of the Spanish bugle reached us, and 
 the vanguard of their strong column was dimly 
 made out as it rounded a far-off curve in the 
 road. At first but mere moving specks, they 
 rapidly grew in size, as with a firm, uniform 
 tread, shoulder to shoulder, they swung along.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 99 
 
 A feeling of horror and pity crept over me as 
 I watched them inarching on so unconcerned 
 and unsuspecting. Laughing and talking, they 
 came down the road, and their faces were dis 
 tinctly visible as they passed our ambush. 
 
 I glanced around at the men, who, prone 
 upon their faces, with their guns resting on 
 logs or stones, awaited but the word to fire, 
 A short distance apart from me were Del Monte 
 and his assistant, each with a finger held 
 poised above the button, ready for my fatal 
 signal. 
 
 The advance rank of the main body had 
 passed the first pit yet I must wait until they 
 had cleared the second in order to insure the 
 success of both mines. 
 
 Fascinated, I watched the movements of a 
 soldier who, with his gun slung across his 
 back, was tossing a couple of oranges as he 
 trudged along. A sense of pity seized me, 
 arid I determined to wait until he passed before 
 giving the order. At last he was by The 
 moment for action had arrived. With eyes
 
 100 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 bulging out of my Lead and bands tightly 
 clutched, I leaned forward and gave the order. 
 
 Simultaneously with the word a deafening 
 report rent the air, followed instantly by 
 another. Dark shapes shot up and fell almost 
 at our feet ; cries of agony, despair and terror 
 mingled with the sharp crack of the carbines. 
 A sickening odor of burned flesh filled our nos 
 trils, and over all there hung a dense, heavy 
 black cloud of smoke, which slowly rose, dis 
 closing a horrible and cruel sight. 
 
 The Spaniards, as if by common accord, 
 turned and fled, not heeding the orders of 
 their officers, who vainly tried to rally them. 
 Horror-stricken, they ran, never stopping in 
 their mad career until they reached the village. 
 
 Hastily gathering up our paraphernalia, we 
 mounted our horses and galloped over to the 
 scene of carnage. 
 
 The road had been torn up into a cave, whence 
 the smoke yet curled; bent guns, severed 
 heads and disemboweled horses lay mingled 
 in sickening heaps. Here lay a body whose
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 101 
 
 hideously contorted features marked the acute 
 agony he had suffered until relieved by death. 
 At his side and almost touching him was the 
 body of a mere boy, whose wide-open eyes 
 still held the expression of surprise and hor 
 ror; while far above yet hung the black cloud, 
 making, as it gracefully rolled and floated, a 
 fitting mantle to so cruel a scene. With a 
 heavy heart, I gave the order to close up and 
 continue the march.
 
 102 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 THE SACK OF SANTA CLARA. 
 
 "WouLD it ever stop raining?" That was the 
 question we all asked each other as we stood 
 beneath the trees, drenched from head to foot, 
 hungry and cold. 
 
 It was four o clock P.M. and the water had been 
 coming down in torrents ever since ten o clock 
 in the morning, at which hour a halt had been 
 ordered and camp formed ; and now, twelve 
 hundred strong, we sat beneath the tall mango 
 trees waiting impatiently for the sun to shine 
 and warm our shivering bodies. 
 
 Beneath a bending and groaning tree, a 
 short distance from us, were General M. 
 Gomez, Brigadier-General Zayas and Major 
 Leoucio Vidal, the rain running off the bent 
 brims of their sombreros and pouring in little 
 streams from the sleeves of their coats. 
 
 Sitting on a log by my side was Captain
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 103 
 
 Tejedor, attempting, with his customary good 
 humor, to keep lighted my old pipe. 
 
 Night was fast approaching, yet during all 
 that long day, and after a march of fifteen 
 leagues, not a morsel of food had passed our 
 lips. That morning we had reached Mana- 
 jauabo, happy at the prospect of a day s rest. 
 A few minutes later the storm had set in, 
 shattering all our hopes. 
 
 "Here, take y our pipe, " said Tejedor, hand 
 ing me the old veteran. "I ve used every 
 match I had trying to keep it lighted. Haven t 
 you anything to eat? I m nearly starved." 
 
 "Get up, you lazy rascal, and see if there s 
 not a piece of cold meat in one of the saddle 
 bags, " I shouted to Raphael, my orderly, who 
 arose with a look of reproach and terror in his 
 eyes. 
 
 "There is half an ear of roasted corn in 
 mine, Raphael," said Tejedor, bending his 
 head to let fall the little pool of water which 
 every few minutes formed on the crown of his 
 Panama hat. "You can take "
 
 104 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "Hello! what s the row now? I exclaimt-el, 
 as El Curro stood out from beside Genera] 
 Gomez and placed his bugle to his lips. 
 
 The next instant I had my answer, "prepar 
 atory call," sounding clearly and loudly above 
 the uproar. 
 
 "Hurry up there, naphael! Drop those 
 bags and saddle Senator Sherman! Quick, 
 now!" I exclaimed. 
 
 Without a murmur the faithful darky sprang 
 up and darted into the tall, wet grass, now full 
 of rapidly moving men, all bent on the same 
 errand. A minute later he appeared, leading 
 my horse, who, with his drooping ears and 
 little yellow bod} dripping wet, was the picture 
 of mute but earnest protest. 
 
 "Where under the sun is the Old Man 
 sending us to?" groaned Tejedor, as ho 
 superintended the equipping of his mount. 
 
 "It must be on some important mission 
 Vidal is going, "I answered, noticing that our 
 favorite officer was buckling on his belt. 
 
 "Captain Tejedor, you re wanted by the geii-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 105 
 
 eral" exclaimed an aid splashing up through 
 the mud. 
 
 "Hurry back and let me know the news," I 
 shouted after him as he hastened to the gen 
 eral. 
 
 "Good news. And you re going along. 
 Are you ready ?" he exclaimed a minute later 
 all in one breath. 
 
 "I ve been ready for the last five minutes; 
 but where are we bound that it causes you such 
 joy?" I replied. 
 
 "We re going to enter Santa Clara and at 
 tack the arsenal. General Gomez is sending 
 six hundred men under Major Vidal. We 
 leave at once. General Luque is in charge of 
 the town, and has fifteen hundred men with 
 him; it will be great sport," he answered. 
 "My orderly is sick, so you ll have to take his 
 place, he added, turning to Raphael, \vhose 
 face underwent a rapid change from indiffer 
 ence to abject fright. 
 
 Here was news sure enough. Santa Clara is 
 the capital of Las Villas, and the war station
 
 106 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 and stronghold of the Spaniards in that district. 
 In a moment my hunger and fatigue vanished, 
 and I impatiently awaited the second call. 
 
 Six hundred strong \ve fell in, two lines of 
 hungry, dirty, dripping men. 
 
 Soldiers of Cuba," said General Zayas, 
 after he had inspected the force, "the general 
 tails on you to-night for another proof of your 
 valor and patriotism. You are going to attack 
 Santa Clara, and General Gomez relies on you 
 all." 
 
 A wild hurrah was his answer, and the troop 
 rode off in columns of two. 
 
 The rain had now ceased, and the last rays 
 of the sinking sun shone brightly through the 
 damp atmosphere. 
 
 Major Tidal, Tejedor and I rode side In 
 side, talking about the coming attack, which 
 was to be the most audacious piece of work 
 ever attempted by the Cuban army. 
 
 A north wind had sprung up, clearing the 
 sky and promising a cold night. 
 
 "Take this jacket, captain," said Tidal to
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 107 
 
 me; "you re teeth are chattering like castanets 
 and you are wet to the skin. I ve no need for 
 it, as my blanket is dry." 
 
 I thanked him and donned the jacket, which 
 I preserve to this day, a sad memory of one of 
 the bravest officers who ever drew a sword in 
 the defence of the Cuban cause. A few yards 
 further on we halted. 
 
 "Ride over to that hut, captain," said 
 Vidal, turning to me, "and bring Mateo here; 
 I need him as a guide." 
 
 Putting spurs to my horse, I soon reached 
 the dilapidated shanty, and knocking on the 
 door, called for Mateo, who, although it was 
 but seven o clock, had retired for the night. 
 
 "Easy, now. You ll knock down the house 
 with your hammering, exclaimed a gruff 
 voice from within, in answer to my raps. 
 "Oh, I beg your pardon," he said, as his face 
 appeared through a rough cut in the wall which 
 went by the name of window, "I thought it 
 was old Juan. What can I do for you?" he 
 continued, stepping out into the open.
 
 108 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "Serve as a guide for the force; we are 
 going to Santa Clara," I answered. 
 
 "As guide? My horse is gone, sir, and be 
 side, I don t know the road." 
 
 "Coine on foot, then," I answered, some 
 what sharply, for the man had a bad reputa 
 tion. "And brush up your memory, for 
 Major Vidal knows you too well," I continued, 
 as he followed me with a dogged air. 
 
 "Here s the man, sir," said I, addressing 
 the major, "but he says he doesn t know the 
 road." 
 
 "Doesn t know the road, " repeated Vidal, 
 "and has lived here all his life? Gome- 
 come. I ll have none of that. You show us 
 the way or you ll regret it; but be careful of 
 any treachery, as you will be the first to pay 
 the penalty. Go on," and he motioned to the 
 man to lead the way. 
 
 With a muttered curse Mateo started down 
 the road, walking between Tejedor and myself. 
 
 "I want to reach the east entrance by eight 
 o clock," said Vidal.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 100 
 
 "I ll do my best," answered the man, in a 
 sullen tone. 
 
 His "best" proved to be what was required, 
 and a few minutes before the hour we came in 
 view of the guarded entrance. 
 
 "The horses will be left here," ordered 
 Yidal. 
 
 I passed the word for Raphael, who shortly 
 appeared, much alarmed by his proximity t;> 
 the Spaniards. 
 
 "Don t you dare move from this place," I 
 said, shaking his arm by way of impressing 
 upon his mind my orders. "Take good care 
 of the horses, now." 
 
 "And see that nothing is lost," added Teje- 
 dor. "It cost me a blanket the last time we 
 entered a town, and I ll have none of that this 
 time." 
 
 "Do you hear?" I exclaimed, desperate at 
 the look of fright on his face. 
 
 "Ye es, sir," came the trembling answer. 
 
 "If he wasn t the best cook in the squadron 
 I d send him about his business," I said,
 
 110 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 mournfully, taking an extra hitch in my 
 belt. 
 
 "It s fifteen minutes past eight, and nine 
 o clock is the time set for the attack. The sol 
 diers must be all retiring for the night by this 
 time," said Tidal, coming up, "so the nearer 
 we are when the hour strikes the better. Lead 
 the way, Mateo. " 
 
 It was black as pitch, and each man held on 
 to the one ahead of him, as softly and without 
 the slightest sound we followed the guide. 
 
 After five minutes walk we suddenly halted, 
 and the click of a wire fence being cut broke 
 the silence. Then forward again. 
 
 "Pass the order for the men to lie flat on 
 the ground, " whispered Vidal, showing the 
 example. 
 
 Ugh! but it was disagreeable, crawling like 
 snakes through the mud and water, encum 
 bered by a rifle and machete. So close were 
 we to one another that several times Yidal s 
 boots touched my face as he dragged himself 
 along. It seemed ages to me before the out-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. Ill 
 
 lines of the fort appeared and we heard the 
 measured tread of the guard. 
 
 Slowly and painfully we went, until just 
 abreast of the fort we stopped. Tejedor was 
 a little ahead of me, and as I edged up I 
 noticed that he was close to the guide. 
 
 "Get on the other side of him, " he whis 
 pered. "Vidal has gone ahead. We must 
 wait. 
 
 With another effort I reached the man s 
 side, whose face could barely be discerned, so 
 dark was the night. 
 
 Crouching on the ground, we could plainly 
 hear the voices of the soldiers inside the fort 
 mingling with the soft notes of a guitar. 
 Overhead, the sentry stamped his feet to keep 
 them warm and hummed a tune. 
 
 Now and then the sharp, long call of a locust 
 would be taken up by its fellows, until the 
 plains seemed alive with them, the sound 
 dying out in a long, faint whistle. 
 
 Soon the clock in the church solemnly rang 
 out the hour of nine. Simultaneously there
 
 ll:i IN THE SADDLK WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 came from the arsenal a sharp, rapid bugle- 
 call, which was taken up from several parts of 
 the town. 
 
 "You wretch! you ve betrayed us, " whis 
 pered Tejedor, as he grasped the guide by the 
 throat. 
 
 "No no; it s the silence call, " answered 
 the man, half choked. 
 
 Almost before he had finished, and with 
 such suddenness that my heart seemed to leap 
 into my throat, the sentry called out : 
 
 "Nine o clock; all s well! S-i-1-e-n-c-e !" 
 The call was repeated all around the fortifica 
 tions, seeming as if it would never cease. 
 
 "All s well, eh? Just wait a minute and 
 see if it is," muttered Tejedor. 
 
 The ground, which a short while before had 
 felt so soft, was fast becoming to my aching 
 body unbearably hard as I vainly tried to find 
 a comfortable position. And, to add to my 
 discomfort, it was getting bitterly cold. 
 
 A few moments later Tejedor pulled my 
 sleeve and started ahead, but this time with
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 113 
 
 bad juck, for hardly had we gone ten feet 
 when 
 
 "Alto! Quien va?" rang out. 
 
 "Cuba Libre!" answered Tejedor. "For 
 ward, men forward!" he cried. 
 
 The sharp, whip-like snap of the Mauser 
 rang out, followed by another and another, 
 and in less time than it takes to tell the town 
 was in an awful uproar, the shouts of men and 
 the crack of musketry coming from every 
 quarter. 
 
 Never hesitating, we rushed blindly for 
 ward. I tripped on a root and fell flat on my 
 face. In a second I was up and on again. 
 We could see, by the flash of guns, dark fig 
 ures darting about as the surprised Spaniards 
 hastily formed in the streets. Volley after 
 volley came from the houses ; stones, sticks 
 everything seemed to drop from above. 
 
 As we turned a corner into the main street 
 there leaped from across the way a tongue of 
 fire, followed by the rattle of a Gatling gun i. j s 
 it belched forth its missiles. Never had I
 
 114 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 heard the air so alive with bullets. They 
 seemed everywhere, dropping from the walls 
 at our back, ripping and ricochetting along the 
 ground, hissing and moaning as they tore by. 
 From the windows above, the flash of rifles re 
 vealed the crouching figures of the Spaniards 
 loading and firing. Bugle calls and orders now 
 and then sounded faintly amid the thundering 
 uproar. The night was thick with sulphurous 
 smoke and dust from the flying bits of mortar, 
 while overhead the funereal notes of the church 
 bell rang out their warning. 
 
 Another volley came from the barricade, 
 causing us, as it swept down the street, to flat 
 ten ourselves against the walls of the houses. 
 
 No wonder we hesitated to advance into that 
 storm of lead and death ; the strongest heart 
 quailed at the idea. Retreat seemed our only 
 hope, when down the street came a hatless, 
 shouting figure. Once more the gun vomited 
 forth its cruel welcome, but from the midst of 
 the smoke arose the cry of "Forward, boys! 
 Down with them! To the arsenal! For-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 115 
 
 ward!" and poor Vidal darted past ns as he 
 led the way to victory and glory. 
 
 Like one man we followed, and before the 
 Spaniards fired again we had leaped their bar 
 ricade, blindly and desperately hewing and 
 cutting our way through their ranks. 
 
 Never stopping, we ran down the street, anx 
 ious to reach the square before the enemy had 
 turned and trained their guns. Once more it 
 roared, and with a cry of rage and despair brave 
 Vidal fell headlong upon the cathedral steps. 
 
 The blaze of many burning houses now illu 
 minated the square, from which the defeated 
 Spaniards were rapidly retreating. General 
 Luque stood on the balcony of the theatre, 
 giving orders to the aides by his side. De 
 spairingly he waved his arms. 
 
 Grasping his "Winchester, Tejedor leveled 
 it and fired at the Spanish chief. The bugler 
 at his side fell, and slipping through the rails, 
 picthed into the street. That was enough, 
 and General Luque turned and vanished into 
 the house.
 
 11C IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Little by little the firing ceased, and, un 
 molested, the men turned to pillage the well- 
 filled warehouses. Cigar stores, clothing es 
 tablishments, groceries every available place 
 was broken into and ransacked, and ere long 
 the flames of over threescore houses lighted 
 the scene of destruction. 
 
 For hours the work continued ; then as the 
 first rays of the rising sun pierced the smoke- 
 shrouded atmosphere, the call of "assembly" 
 sounded, giving the signal for retreat. 
 
 Loaded with every kind of portable and use 
 ful article, the men obeyed, never heeding or 
 returning the scattered farewell shots of the 
 hidden enemy. 
 
 "What did you take?" asked Tejedor, as 
 we reached our horses. 
 
 "Three boxes of cigars and sixty packages 
 of cigarettes. And you?" 
 
 "A jar of preserves, a pair of shoes and a 
 box of soap, answered he, winding his hand 
 kerchief around his wounded wrist. He had 
 chanced to get in the way of a Mauser bullet.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 IX. 
 
 A DINNER THAT COST US DEAR. 
 
 "Tms is more than I can stand, Ernest," 
 said Captain Cueto to Colonel E. Fonts. 
 "Here we are within three miles of old Deme- 
 trio s place and hungry as wolves, yet you re 
 fuse to accept the invitation to his dinner. 
 
 
 And you know what kind of a dinner he always 
 gives us. " 
 
 "Oh, don t be cranky, even if you are the 
 commanding officer, " said I, in turn. "Come 
 along. The men will be safe with the ser 
 geant, and we will be back by ten." 
 
 "Now, look here, you fellows," answered 
 Ernest. "Don t you suppose I m as anxious 
 for a square meul as you all are? Demetrio 
 said, when he invited us this morning, that a 
 troop of Spanish cavalry had been hovering
 
 118 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 around his place at daybreak, and I don t care 
 to lose my head for a dinner. 
 
 "All the more reason that they should not 
 be there this afternoon, " I interrupted. "Ah, 
 come along, Ernest," I continued, laying my 
 hand upon his arm. "Our horses are in good 
 trim, and if the worst comes we can make a 
 run for it." 
 
 Slowly we rode down the road, the two or 
 derlies a short distance ahead acting as scouts, 
 and we finally came in sight of old Demetrio s 
 house, a plain, two-story affair, surrounded 
 by a high hedge. In the good old days of 
 prosperity our host had been numbered among 
 the cattle kings of that district, but war and its 
 ravages had greatly impoverished him. He was 
 a man of about forty -three years of age, tall 
 and well knit. 
 
 "Well, boys," he explained, as we dis 
 mounted. "I m glad to see you. The place 
 is kind of lonely since the family left for the 
 city, Pancho and I being all alone, but I guess 
 we will manage to enjoy a good meal just the
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 119 
 
 same. Better tie your horses to the hedge, " 
 be added. 
 
 " \Yhy ? Heard any bad news?" queried 
 Cueto, tilting his chair against the wall. 
 
 "No, nothing out of the ordinary, except 
 that Captain Garrido and his guerrillas were 
 around here this morning, but he s far away 
 by this time." 
 
 "I think, " said Fonts, "the orderlies had 
 better mount guard out on the road. How 
 about that, Demetrio?" 
 
 "Not a lad idea; it s always good to be pre 
 pared. Just make yourselves comfortable and 
 I ll go out and station them, " answered De 
 metrio, as he left the house. 
 
 "Well, now, that that s all fixed, " said he, 
 a minute later re-entering the room; "what s 
 the matter with us all getting down to work? 
 Here, Pancho, bring in the dinner, and you 
 men draw up your chairs." 
 
 A young pig, roasted after the fashion of 
 the country, had just been carved, and at the 
 very moment when I was in the act of swallow-
 
 I . O IN THK SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 ing a dainty morsel the report of a gun rang 
 out. 
 
 "What s the matter?" we all cried. 
 
 The Spaniards they are coining do\vn 
 both roads," our orderlies answered. 
 
 "Confound it. I knew that would happen. 
 Hurry up, we may have time to escape to 
 horse," exclaimed Fonts, rushing out of the 
 house. 
 
 Too late, for hardly had we reached the 
 hedge when the enemy came in sight and a 
 rain of bullets rilled the air. 
 
 "Get the horses in the house, " I shouted. 
 "Close the windows and doors, Demetrio. 
 For God s sake, hurry." The last to Cueto, 
 who had commenced to return the tire. 
 
 Driving the horses into the dining room, 
 we closed and barricaded the door. 
 
 "I knew it, I knew it!" exclaimed Fonts. 
 "This meal will cost us our lives yet. Here 
 we are caught like a lot of rats in a trap; you 
 boys would " 
 
 "Manuel, tie the horses to the hammock
 
 IX THE SADDLF. WITH GOMEZ. 121 
 
 rings. Spare the ammunition, boys, and aim 
 carefully," cried Fonts. "Good for- you, De- 
 metrio, " he continued, as the latter drew from 
 under the cupboard a carbine and several car 
 tridges. 
 
 13 y this time the enemy had surrounded the 
 hor.se, and the pit-pat of the bullets striking 
 the stone walls sounded in rapid succession. 
 
 We were in all, counting Demetrio and his 
 servant, seven able-bodied men, six armed 
 with rifles. The attacking force amounted to 
 about one hundred and fifty, but they were out 
 in the open. The question was which would 
 hold out the longer, the Spaniards or our 
 ammunition. 
 
 There was only one weak spot in our fortifi 
 cation, namely, the door through which tho 
 Mauser bullets bored their way with anything 
 but a pleasant sound. A window looked out 
 from each side of the house except on that of 
 the entrance, but upstairs a small round aper 
 ture overcame that difficulty, and there De 
 metrio and his man posted themselves.
 
 122 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 For over two hours we held our own without 
 loss. Then Cueto s horse, shot through the 
 chest, broke loose in his dying struggles, and, 
 staggering and kicking, overturned the table. 
 The rest of the horses snapping their bridles 
 in mad terror, reared and plunged about the 
 smoke-clouded room. Leaning against the 
 wall was Cueto, knotting a handkerchief 
 around his head, which had been grazed by a 
 bullet. Fonts, oblivious of everything but the 
 enemy, was aiming and firing through the 
 window, while anon the crack of Demetrio s 
 rifle came from overhead. 
 
 After several attempts the horses were 
 quieted, and the wounded ones put out of their 
 misery; but our situation was o hopeless that 
 for the first time during the war a feeling that 
 all was over took possession of me. To add to 
 our hopelessness night was close at hand. 
 
 As I looked on the scene and realized the 
 plight to which our foolhardiness had brought 
 us, a cry of pain came from above, followed 
 by the sound of a falling body. A moment
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 123 
 
 later Panclio came down the stairs carrying 
 Demetrio. 
 
 For a while no one spoke. 
 
 "You take his place, Eobert, and Panclio 
 will help you," said Fonts presently. 
 
 But as he spoke there came through the 
 door, with an angry snarl, poor Robert s fatal 
 bullet, and without a moan my servant dropped 
 dead. 
 
 At that instant, as if mocking our situation, 
 the sun sank below the horizon and darkness 
 set in. 
 
 "For God s sake, Cueto, look sharp and go 
 upstairs, or they will have us, shouted Fonts. 
 
 "I can t," moaned the poor boy. "My leg 
 is shot through. I can hardly stand." 
 
 "I ll go, sir," anwered Pancho, rising from 
 the side of Demetrio s body. 
 
 "How many rounds have you, Cueto?" I 
 asked, after finding that twenty-three was all 
 that remained to me. 
 
 "Fourteen," he faintly replied. 
 
 "Winch, added to my eleven, makes just
 
 12-1 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 forty-eight. Something must be done and 
 quickly, or we are all dead men," exclaimed 
 Fonts hoarsely. 
 
 The enemy now ceased tiring. We blessed 
 the breathing spell, 
 
 Never shall I forget that picture. Font s 
 handsome face, hidden beneath the coating of 
 dirt and black, appeared hideous through the 
 gloom ; his eyes flashing with the light of a 
 caged and frantic animal. Cueto, weak from 
 the loss of blood, half sat, half reclined against 
 the overturned table. Strewn all around were 
 remnants of our dinner, broken chairs and 
 shattered crockery ; stretched across the mid 
 dle of the room was the carcass of the dead 
 horse, while to add to our wretchedness, the 
 air was inconceivably hot and stifling, bitter 
 with the taste of burned powder. 
 
 "Now, this is my plan, said Fonts, in a 
 voice that cracked harshly over his parched 
 tongue. "The next time they stop firing I 
 will drop out of the window and attempt to 
 steal through their lines. If successful, once
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 125 
 
 I reach the other side I will fire my revolver. 
 They, thinking that some new force is attack 
 ing, will rush toward the sound. Then, seize 
 your opportunity, and make your escape with 
 Cueto. It is a desperate risk, but our only 
 hope." 
 
 At the mention of Cueto s name, I turned 
 just in time to see him drop slowly to the 
 ground, where he lay moaning and bleeding to 
 death. Instantly wo rushed to help him ; but 
 before we reached his side there came from 
 overhead a cry of warning : 
 
 "They re coming on again, all bunched for 
 the door, cried Pancho, opening fire on the 
 advancing mass. 
 
 We hurried back to our places and once 
 more the fight raged. For awhile the enemy 
 faced our volleys, then fortune smiled upon us 
 and they retreated with their wounded. 
 
 "Now is my chance," muttered Fonts, 
 springing to the window-ledge. 
 
 "Go easy and be careful," I cried, and witlj
 
 126 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 a farewell nod he dropped to the ground and 
 disappeared. 
 
 "God, I m dying!" moaned poor Cueto, as 
 I raised him from the floor. 
 
 Hastily calling the men, I bade one hold my 
 horse while I mounted, and then pass up 
 Cueto, now all but a corpse. Gently as possi 
 ble I placed him on the front of my saddle, 
 and encircled his body with my arm. 
 
 "Now, stand ready to open the door when 
 you hear the signal. Then follow me, and 
 each man for himself," I ordered. 
 
 In that dark and smoke-filled chamber of 
 death, and with my heart beating like a sledge 
 hammer, I sat my horse and waited. 
 
 No noise disturbed the appalling silence 
 save the hard breathing of the horses and an 
 occasional groan from Ceuto. Suddenly Cueto 
 opened his eyes. His trembling fingers 
 sought and closed over my hand, and he 
 faintly murmured : 
 
 "Good-by, old man. God bless you. 
 Don t let them have my body.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 127 
 
 Well " A rush of blood filled his mouth, 
 his body heaved and struggled in its last 
 agony. As I stopped and kissed his cold 
 cheek there sounded four rapid shots. 
 
 Back swung the door and out leaped my 
 horse, followed by the two orderlies. Straight 
 for the gate I rode. Then, as the firing came 
 from the left, I turned in the opposite direc 
 tion, and digging spurs into my horse, rode 
 for my life. 
 
 The clatter of hoofs warned the enemy of our 
 ruse, but save for a few scattering shots it was 
 too late for them to act, and we soon were out 
 of danger. 
 
 An hour later Fonts and I sat in front of 
 our campfire. Beneath a tree, and covered by 
 his blanket, lay all that remained of our com 
 rade, while in the distance the flames of De- 
 metrio s house leaped high in the air.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 A GUERRILLA BATTLE. 
 
 ONE bright, sunny afternoon in the mouth 
 of March, a body of some one hundred and 
 fifty Cuban cavalrymen might have been seen 
 wending their way slowly across the sabanas 
 of Cieufuegos, eastward bound. 
 
 One could see at a glance that these were 
 hardened veterans. Unshaven faces, long hair 
 and dirty, ragged clothes, stain -M! by the clay- 
 colored dust of the western provinces ; tattered 
 and bullet-pierced sombreros, thin and worn 
 horses, made a sinister and gloomy picture, lit 
 by the occasional glimmer of a polished and 
 ever-ready rifle. 
 
 The little force rode in two groups, a squad 
 of twenty-five men, about two hundred yards 
 in advance, acting as a vanguard. At the head
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 129 
 
 of the main body, on a large black horse, rode 
 a man about twenty-nine years old; dirty, 
 tired, but soldierly looking. His large hat, 
 bored in three places by bullets, flapped in the 
 gentle breeze ; around his neck a blood-stained 
 bandage marked a recent wound, while a strap 
 of his nickel-plated Winchester, as it hung 
 across his shoulder, half hid an ugly rent in 
 his quaydbera. Such was the picture of Gen 
 eral B. Zayas, "the bravest of the brave," as 
 he rode at the head of all that remained of the 
 ever-famous rear guard to General M. Gomez s 
 historic invasion. Among that band were men 
 who had fought two hundred times in sixty 
 days. Many had been wounded. Yet they 
 cared not, for to them it was a pleasure to 
 fight; to die, a foregone and accepted conclu 
 sion. They smiled now when they looked 
 back on the day of their first fight, when the 
 whiz of bullets had caused them to tremble 
 and lower their heads. To them a fight at 
 lesser odds than four to one was child s play, 
 and small wonder was it that they good-
 
 130 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 naturedly chaffed the pacifico who seriously 
 informed them that the Lequetia guerrilla was 
 barely a league ahead. 
 
 "How many did you say they were, citi 
 zen?" inquired Zayas, slipping his feet from 
 the stirrups and lazily stretching his long, 
 thin legs. 
 
 "About three hundred all told, general," 
 answered the pacifico, gazing with undisguised 
 admiration at the young giant. 
 
 "Oh, all right! Thank you, my man. For 
 ward!" he continued, and the little cavalcade 
 pushed ahead once more, amid a cloud of 
 slowly rising dust. 
 
 The famous Lequetia guerrilla, now a thing 
 of the past, was at the time of this story the 
 cause of much terror and grief. Composed 
 chiefly of outlaws, negroes and Spaniards, it 
 foraged on the neighboring estates and com 
 mitted its butcheries unchecked. It had never 
 been known to attack when evenly matched. Its 
 custom was to ambuscade and cut to pieces small 
 parties of a dozen up to fifty.
 
 Itf THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 131 
 
 Let it be said, however, that among the 
 officers of this band were men worthy of a 
 better cause, who had enrolled through love of 
 money or for family reasons ; men who fought, 
 imagining that that was their duty, and who 
 looked with scorn and disgust at the savage 
 actions of their companions. This band of 
 plunderers and cutthroats took their name from 
 a plantation where, after the day s foraging, it 
 was wont to camp. But all things have an 
 end in this world, and that end had arrived for 
 the Lequetia guerrilla. The sun had sunk to 
 a point in the horizon when its rays seemed to 
 be kissing the leaves good-night. In the green 
 fields the cows were pasturing, unmindful of 
 war, and the wind sighed softly through the 
 rustling cane leaves. 
 
 " Diablo! what is that?" asked Juan, the 
 head scout, to his companion, lowering his 
 leg from where it lay across the pummel of his 
 saddle. 
 
 "It looks like the glimmer of a rifle barrel," 
 answered the other, reining in.
 
 132 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "Ride back, Jose, and inform the general 
 that an ambush has been placed ahead by the 
 enemy," replied Juan. 
 
 "Not a shot is to be fired," said Jose, a 
 moment later, falling into his place as uncon 
 cerned as though on parade. "The general 
 says that it can be but the Lequetia guerrilla. 
 Not a shot, but after their first volley we must 
 charge. He -will follow." 
 
 "Bueno, it sounds like old times. We have 
 had a long rest, Jose, and my machete cries 
 for work." 
 
 For sole reply Jose contented himself with 
 loosening in its scabbard his long blade. 
 
 The word passed rapidly through the ranks 
 that a brush was imminent with the enemy ; 
 but save for a hasty look or touch to their arms 
 the men gave no outward signs of their feel 
 ings. 
 
 Juan rode first of all. Although not an 
 officer, he had made the entire campaign with 
 Zayas, and the latter had implicit confidence 
 in his.bravery and skill as a scout. So it was,
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 133 
 
 that without appearing to have noticed any 
 thing, and entirely ignoring the danger in 
 which he was placed, he plodded serenely 
 along, never touching or urging his horse. 
 
 The highway was lined on either side by 
 small stumpy trees, about six feet high, their 
 trunks thickly interwoven with the long, thorny 
 leaves of piila de raton. From behind this 
 hedge had come the glimmer which had caught 
 Juan s quick eye and had caused him, with 
 his acccustomed shrewdness, to hit upon a 
 plan worth two of theirs. A little way down 
 the road he had seen a portillo (such as run 
 away cattle are accustomed to make in their 
 efforts to break through a fence), of which he 
 had decided to take advantage, and thus place 
 himself on an equal footing with the ambushed 
 enemy. Accordingly, when he reached the 
 spot, he suddenly wheeled his horse, and lead 
 ing the way, stepped through the opening. 
 
 For a moment the surprised guerrilla looked 
 with wonder upon this unexpected flank move 
 ment, then, noticing the small number of the
 
 134 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 vanguard, drew their machetes and scornfully 
 dared them to come on. So easy a matter did 
 it appear to the guerrillas that only half of 
 their number prepared to give battle ; the rest 
 sitting on their horses and awaiting what they 
 thought would be the natural outcome of the 
 struggle. Little dreamed they that tfr.r" hard 
 ened veterans of Pinar del Rio, Havana, aud 
 Matanzas were to be their antagonist. 
 
 For a moment both sides faced o :e another 
 with drawn machetes, each waiting for the 
 other to begin. It was, however, Juan s inten 
 tion to draw on the Spaniards and give time 
 for the now rapidly approaching main body 
 to arrive, which idea he carried oat. 
 
 With a graceful snake-like wave in their line 
 alive with the flashing of arms, tha Sp**v ards 
 started slowly, then began to tret, a. ^ broke 
 into a gallop as they came thunder; ng down 
 along the field, shaking the ve; > earth and 
 renting the air with their yells. 
 
 It was a situation to try the I avest among 
 that little band, yet no one move<| Here were
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 135 
 
 four times their number charging toward them, 
 and everyone knew that if the main body did 
 not arrive in time it would go hard with them. 
 
 But Juan, looking over his shoulder, caught 
 sight of the wild features of Zayas dashing 
 through the opening at the head of his men, 
 and the anxious look on his face gave way to 
 one of joy. With but one cry of "Al ma 
 chete!" which was taken up by every soul, 
 Zayas darted ahead, and ere the enemy were 
 aware of the arrival of reinforcements, both 
 sides clashed together. The remaining divi 
 sion of Spaniards seeing the plight of their 
 fellow-companions, hastily formed, and in 
 less time than it takes to tell, flung themselves 
 into the fray. 
 
 Not a shot was fired, but with a steady 
 rhythmic movement the blades rose and fell, 
 the rays of the setting sun playing upon them. 
 The clash of steel, cries, oaths, shrieks and 
 moans added to the horror of the scene. Little 
 by little the swaying, pushing, struggling 
 compact mass disentangled itself and opened,
 
 136 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 every one seem ing to pick out his opponent and 
 make the fight a personal affair. Many had 
 dropped and lay writhing in their last agonies. 
 Some were crawling on their hands and knees, 
 digging their contorted fingers mto the stony 
 soil with the hope of escaping the merciless 
 hoofs of the plunging horses. Just where the 
 struggle had started lay the body of a horse, 
 holding, pinned helplessly to tue ground his 
 uuwounded rider, who frantically strove to free 
 hjmself, calling loudly for help to his com 
 panions. Around him circled two combatants. 
 Nearer and nearer they came, until with a sick 
 ening thud a horse s hoof crushed into the 
 man s skull. A short distance away two men 
 struggled in a frantic embrace, each as he held 
 his foe by the throat, stabbing and cutting. 
 Astounded at first by the bravery of their 
 scanty opponents, the Spaniards fought well. 
 Then, noticing the determination of tho 
 Cubans to do or die, they broke and ran. 
 
 On one side of the road were two men 
 circling around and around each other, both
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 13? 
 
 well mounted and able swordsmen. As they 
 thrust, parried and cut, they made a fascinat 
 ing sight. Now one would dash at his oppo 
 nent, causing him to rein his horse onto his 
 haunches in order to avoid the fierce assault, 
 then he in turn would charge; and so it con 
 tinued, till they two alone were left fighting, 
 while all the others watched them breathlessly. 
 The Spaniard was a lieutenant, as was the 
 Cuban. Both were armed with Winchester 
 rifles and machetes, but hitherto they had only 
 made use of the steel. The struggle had 
 lasted for some time, and the men were rapidly 
 becoming exhausted. The Spaniard, being 
 alone among the Cubans, could easily have 
 been overpowered and captured, and in that 
 manner an end be put to the duel. But Zayas 
 was not the one to deny a valiant foe fair play, 
 and accordingly kept at a distance awaiting the 
 outcome. The men were now facing one 
 another, their horses head to head, each as he 
 momentarily rested eying his opponent, 
 watchful of his every movement. Suddenly
 
 138 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the Cuban dug his spurs into his charger, and 
 driving the point of his weapon into the nose 
 of the Spaniard s horse, caused the brute to 
 lower his head for a moment. In this moment 
 he slashed fairly at his enemy s chest. Taken 
 by surprise and somewhat thrown oft his 
 guard by the sudden movement of his horse, 
 the Spaniard barely managed to raise his 
 saber in defense. The blade, receiving the 
 full force of the blow, parted as if made of 
 lead, and before he could recover and wheel his 
 horse the Cuban dashed by, thrusting to the 
 rear as he did so and wounding his antagonist 
 between the shoulder blades. The blood 
 spurted in a great stream, and it looked as if 
 the fight were at an end. 
 
 But not so. Like a flash the Spaniard 
 grasped his unloaded rifle by the barrel, and, 
 as his enemy returned to the attack, struck hir.i 
 a mighty blow upon the hip. Over into tL<- 
 pummel of the saddle went the victim, blindly 
 swinging his machete as he fell from his horse. 
 
 A hastv examination showed two ribs broken
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 139 
 
 and before the doctor had finished bandaging 
 him the lieutenant was inquiring about his 
 plucky opponent. 
 
 "Dono for, I m afraid. That last thrust of 
 yours caught him squarely beneath the arm, and 
 he can t live thirty minutes," said General 
 Zayas, grasping the lieutenant s hand. 
 
 With a grimace of pain the young man rose 
 and limped over to where his less fortunate 
 adversary lay dying. As he reached the man s 
 side the Spaniard opened his eyes and, smiling 
 grimly, whispered : 
 
 "You were a little too quick for me, but luck 
 favored you. Tlo. Lift me up. " 
 
 "Are you in much pain?" sympathetically 
 asked the Cuban, placing the Spaniard s head 
 on a roll of blankets, and striving to stay the 
 flow of blood with a wet rag. 
 
 "No not much. My time is up, though," 
 said the other, sinking back exhausted upon 
 the blankets. 
 
 At that moment, as if heralding the depart-
 
 140 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 ure of a brave man s soul, the bugle sounded 
 " boots and saddles." 
 
 At the sound the dying man sat up, a thou 
 sand confused fancies crowding at his brain 
 and throbbing at his heart. He saluted, and 
 muttered : 
 
 "A caballo, seflores, a caballo." 
 
 So died, unthought of and forgotten by his 
 former companions, one of the bravest men 
 who ever drew a saber in defense of the 
 Spanish ensign.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 141 
 
 XI. 
 
 THE KING S BIRTHDAY. 
 
 AMONG all the many daring deeds of the late 
 General Aranguren his capture of Fort Isabel 
 undoubtedly ranks foremost of all. Up to the 
 time of this event he was but one of the many 
 young men struggling for General Gomez s 
 approval, after this, however, his career was 
 assured. 
 
 Recently promoted to the grade of captain, 
 he was constantly on the lookout for an action 
 which would earn him another star and make 
 the Cuban forces ring with his name. Like all 
 men of his class, he did not know fear, and the 
 danger of death was never an obstacle in his 
 path. 
 
 A few miles distant from Las Cruces, and 
 protecting the railroad bridge, was Fort Isabel, 
 garrisoned by Captain Garrido and twenty-five
 
 142 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Spanish soldiers. Arangureu and Garrido 
 were friends of old but they never neglected an 
 opportunity to match their strength. About 
 six weeks previously to this story the Spanish 
 officer had been captured by Arangureu. Dur 
 ing his stay in the Cuban camp Garrido was 
 warned by Arangureu against being so careless. 
 
 "For," he said, "I am only setting you 
 free so as to be able to capture you again. 
 The next time, however, you will be my guest 
 in your house." 
 
 The following day Garrido was returned, 
 unharmed, to his fort. 
 
 Several weeks went by, and then Arauguren s 
 opportunity arrived. 
 
 It was a well-known fact in the town of Las 
 Cruces, and one which Arangureu had not been 
 slow in finding out, that Garrido was madly in 
 love with Rosita Ceballos, the daughter of a 
 wealthy Spanish planter. In fact, his infatu 
 ation had gained such control over him that he 
 frequently neglected his duties to call on his 
 fair inamorata. Nothing was too good for
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. U3 
 
 her, and the presents which he had given her, 
 were the talk and envy of all the belles in the 
 town. Old Ceballos, who hated the Cubans 
 and their cause with all his heart, was not at 
 all backward in showing his approval, and 
 small wonder was it that Garrido allowed him 
 self to be caught napping, when his cup of joy 
 was filled by Ceballos giving his consent to 
 their engagement. Garrido and his fair 
 fiancee agreed to announce their engagement on 
 the king s birthday, and to celebrate both fetes 
 by a magnificent display of fireworks. Accord 
 ingly Garrido wrote to a dealer in Havana and 
 gave him an order which made him open his 
 eyes and for a moment imagine that the good 
 times were returning. Sky rockets, Roman 
 candles, pin wheels, and, in fact, everything 
 necessary for a gorgeous pyrotechnical dis 
 play, were ordered by the dozens. Such a 
 commotion as the arrival of all these articles 
 created in Las Cruces could not pass unper- 
 ceived, and the town soon became aware of the 
 proposed festivities.
 
 144 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Aranguren, always well informed, at once 
 learned of what was going on, and accordingly 
 determined to act at once. On the morning of 
 the king s birthday he camped within ten 
 miles of the fort. After breakfast he called his 
 two officers, Captain Herrera and Lieutenant 
 Poe, and told them of his plan. At sunset he 
 would break camp and march to within five 
 miles of the fort, where he intended to dis 
 mount his men and proceed on foot to the 
 attack. 
 
 "At that hour," he said, "all hands will be 
 busily engaged in preparing for the fete, and 
 it will be an easy matter for us to surprise 
 them." 
 
 Both his officers agreed with him on the 
 feasibility of the scheme, and it was at once 
 decided upon. 
 
 At five o clock that night the Cubans camped 
 five miles away from Fort Isabel. The order 
 was given to have the horses tethered and to 
 form on foot at once. The men had not the 
 slightest idea where they were bound to, but
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 145 
 
 their confidence in their young leader was so 
 great that the y would have followed him where- 
 ever he saw fit to lead. 
 
 "I want twenty -five volunteers," he said, 
 not mentioning for what. 
 
 The entire squadron stepped forward. 
 
 "Well, you can t all go, " he continued, with 
 a smile. "Captain Herrera and Lieutenant 
 Poe, you each pick twelve men. I will make 
 the twenty -fifth with my orderly Juan." 
 
 It was a hard job, that of choosing from so 
 many applicants, but it was at last accom 
 plished, and a prouder set of men never stood 
 before their commander. Every one of them 
 could be counted upon to perform his duty, 
 and Aranguren realized that as he looked them 
 over. 
 
 "Eight forward, fours right," and much to 
 every man s surprise, they started out of camp 
 on foot. 
 
 As such things will, the nature of our expe 
 dition soon leaked out, and many were the 
 jests made at the expense of the gringoes. An
 
 14C IN THE SAD H.E WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Lour of rapid marching brought them within 
 sight of the fort, ami the order to halt was 
 given. 
 
 The sun had already gone down and dark 
 ness was setting in. The lamps were being 
 lighted in Ceballo s house, and the preparations 
 for the evening entertainment were far ad 
 vanced. Here and there the forms of the 
 Spanish soldiers moved hurriedly about, and 
 occasionally the voice of Garrido giving an 
 order faintly reached Aranguren s ears. 
 
 Motioning his men to remain where they 
 were, Arauguren left them and advanced to 
 recounoiter. Ten minutes later he returned. 
 
 "The entire garrison, barring three men, are 
 at the house, "he said. "The surprise will 
 be complete, and I think that we will not bo 
 forced to fire a single shot." 
 
 A short while later, darkness having set in 
 completely, the order was passed to advance, 
 and in single file the men crept forward. 
 
 Outside the hut the Spaniards had stacked 
 their arms, Aranguren had counted them, and
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH 6OMEZ. 14? 
 
 they numbered exactly twenty-two. With 
 the enemy in the house, and their guns out 
 side, it looked as though the fight was already 
 won. 
 
 "Surround the house," ordered Aranguren, 
 in a low voice. Hurriedly the men obeyed, 
 keeping their eyes fixed on him. 
 
 For a moment he hesitated, and then stepped 
 forward. All the men followed, rushing after 
 him like a pack of lunatics, into the house, 
 where, much to their surprise, they only found 
 Garrido and four badly frightened Spaniards. 
 
 " You had twenty-two men here; where are 
 they?" asked Aranguren, after he had re 
 covered from his surprise. 
 
 "Gone for kindling wood, sir," answered 
 one of the men, not noticing Garrido s signal to 
 remain quiet. 
 
 "And will be back shortly," finished Aran 
 guren. "Sorry, Garrido, but I will be forced 
 to bind your arms; just to insure your pres 
 ence at your dinner. We will start at once if 
 it is agreeable to you."
 
 148 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 "You might have chosen any other night on 
 which to dine with me than this one," an 
 swered Garrido, as he extended his hands to 
 one of the men. 
 
 All this time Ceballos and his daughter had 
 remained silent spectators ; but now Kosita 
 stepped forward. 
 
 "So you are going to spoil my, party, are 
 you?" she said, with a hasty look toward the 
 door. "Will you not wait until after the fire 
 works before you take Pepeaway? Ah, but 
 you will," she continued, pointing to the door. 
 
 Outside the stack of arms had vanished. 
 A second glance showed the very trees alive 
 with them. Arangureu s position was a dan 
 gerous one, caught in a trap as he was, but 
 his quick-NY ittedness came to his aid. Catch 
 ing Garrido by the arm he placed him in front 
 of him, and ordering the men to follow, started 
 out of the house. With cocked rifles the men 
 followed, expecting to have to fight, but the 
 Spaniards, with their commander thus exposed, 
 did not dare to fire.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 149 
 
 "Hurry up!" shouted Aranguren, "and 
 overpower the men in the fort. Don t fire 
 unless YOU have to." 
 
 Herrera at one shouted to his men to follow 
 him, and started toward the fort. The Span 
 iards therein saw him coming and opened fire. 
 Their shots went wild, and in less time than it 
 takes to tell it, the Cubans entered the fort and 
 overpowered its defenders. Meanwhile Aran 
 guren with the rest of the men had nearly 
 traversed the distance which separated the 
 house from the fort, and not a single shot had 
 been fired on either side. But now the Span 
 iards suddenly changed their plan and opened 
 fire, wounding two of the Cubans. 
 
 "Fire! Fire on them!" shouted Aranguren. 
 The men obeyed and the enemy retreated to 
 cover. 
 
 Once inside the fort the doors were barri 
 caded, and each man assigned to a post. The 
 firing now became a general one, and volley 
 after volley was exchanged. Fighting as they 
 were in the open, the Spaniards were at a
 
 150 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 great disadvantage, and they soon lost several 
 of their men, which, however, did not seem to 
 discourage them, for they repeatedly charged 
 the fort, vainly attempting to regain control 
 of it. After an hour of this sort of work, 
 the Spaniards retired to the house, which they 
 entered after posting a sentry at the door. 
 
 "They re planning an attack, and we must 
 keep a sharp lookout to-night, said Arau- 
 guren. "The moon Avill be up shortly, and 
 that will help us a great deal. How many 
 rounds of ammunition have we, sergeant?" 
 
 "One hundred and three, sir," answered 
 the man, after he had counted each man s 
 supply. 
 
 "Just about enough to resist the next attack. 
 I guess my men will spoil your little scheme, 
 and Rosita will have her fireworks after all, " 
 remarked Garrido. 
 
 "You keep on thinking that way and you 
 will be disappointed, answered Aranguren. 
 "Sergeant, distribute the ammunition evenly, 
 and keep a sharp lookout. Every shot must
 
 IN THK SADDI.H WITH GOMEZ. 151 
 
 be made to tell now. Well, what is it now, 
 Juan?" 
 
 The orderly stooped and whispered in Aran- 
 gureu s ear. 
 
 "By George, the very thing. I ll try it," 
 and followed by Juan, he left the room. 
 
 At that very moment a shot rang out from 
 above. Instantly it was answered by a volley 
 from outside, followed by the pit-pat of the 
 bullets as they struck the walls of the fort. 
 
 "They re coming on again, sir," cried the 
 sergeant, looking through a loophole. 
 
 "Easy on the ammunition there, men," 
 shouted Arangureu, from the kitchen. Here 
 lend a hand, my man." 
 
 The enemy were apparently aware of the 
 lack of ammunition, for they contented them 
 selves with firing from a distance, and oc- 
 casioually drawing the Cuban s fire by expos 
 ing themselves. Meanwhile Arauguren, aided 
 by the sergeant, had been busy distributing 
 odd-shaped bundles to each of the men, whis 
 pering an instruction as he did so. When he
 
 152 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMKZ. 
 
 had finished he gave the order to cease 
 which, when obeyed, caused the Spaniards to 
 break out into cheers. Imagining that the 
 Cubans were out of ammunition they instantly 
 formed for a charge, and at the order advanced 
 at a dog trot, breaking into a run as they neared 
 the fort. Shouting like a lot of maniacs they 
 swept forward in a final and plucky attempt. 
 
 "Now," suddenly shouted Aranguren, when 
 they were within twenty -five feet. "Touch 
 them off." 
 
 Barely had the words left his mouth when 
 there followed the hissing of sky rockets and 
 the sputtering of Roman candles. Hundreds 
 of brightly colored fire balls shot out of the 
 fort catching the enemy squarely in the face, 
 burning them frightfully, and setting fire to 
 their clothing. Half of the Spaniards fell to 
 the ground, where they rolled in agony, calling 
 pitifully for help, deserted by their comrades, 
 who took to their heels, and who never stopped 
 running until they reached Las Cruces, where 
 they informed the commander that they had
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 153 
 
 been routed "by a large body of insurgents 
 who used explosive bullets." 
 
 That ended the short fight. The wounded 
 men were brought into their former home, 
 where their wounds were dressed and an effort 
 made to make them as comfortable as possible, 
 and a messenger was at once sent to the main 
 body to report at the fort. This they did 
 shortly afterward. 
 
 One o clock that night found five men and 
 one woman seated around the table in the din 
 ing room of the fort. One of the men wore 
 the Spanish uniform, but he appeared 
 thoroughly at home, although surrounded by 
 men who wore, in their hats, the Cuban 
 cockade. The girl, dressed in orange and 
 black, and wearing a black lace mantilla, had 
 pinned to her left shoulder a large yellow and 
 red streamer. 
 
 "Gentlemen," said Aranguren, rising; "let 
 us drink to our host, who is my guest, and to 
 his
 
 i.U IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 XII. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF CANTABRIA. 
 
 ONE of the greatest victories achieved by the 
 Cuban array since the outbreak of the present 
 revolution, was the battle of Cautabria, where 
 Colonel Alfredo Rego, with eight hundred cav 
 alrymen, defeated a force of fifteen hundred 
 Spaniards. Not only was the victory a re 
 markable one, but the incidents that followed 
 give luster to the name of the Cuban com 
 mander. 
 
 Alfredo Rego, then acting as brigadier-gen 
 eral of the Cieufuegos briagde, was stationed 
 at Los Pozos, a small stock farm about thirty 
 miles east of Cienfuegos, awaiting orders from 
 General Maximo Gomez, who was on the eve 
 of his now historic march through the island. 
 On November 3, 1895, Rego received word 
 from the commander-in-chief to notify all
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 155 
 
 planters in his district engaged in the manu 
 facture of sugar to close their mills within ten 
 days. If the order was not obeyed Eego was 
 to attack and destroy the estates. Upon receiv 
 ing the printed slip issued by Rego, every 
 plantation, with the exception of Cantabria, 
 closed down. The insurgent leader waited the 
 stipulated ten days, and then wrote a letter to 
 the oAvner, saying that if his former order was 
 not obeyed within the next twenty-four hours 
 the estate would be destroyed. 
 
 "I am not a man who takes pleasure in de 
 stroying other pople s property, but a soldier, 
 and as such must obey the orders of my 
 superiors," he wrote. 
 
 The courier who carried this final warning 
 returned with the answer that more than fifteen 
 hundred Spanish troops were awaiting im 
 patiently the visit of the patriots. Piego at 
 once set about to arrange for the coming en 
 counter. Orderlies were dispatched in every 
 direction, calling the various squadrons of the 
 brigade, which were stationed at different
 
 156 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 points in the district. Ammunition and snoli 
 extra arms as could be obtained were dis 
 tributed among the men. The nick, the 
 wounded, and the unarmed men, together with 
 the impedimenta, were sent to the Signanea 
 Hospital. Rations were distributed for a 
 three days march, and an order was published 
 notifying the men of the coming fight and 
 appealing to them to do their duty. 
 
 On November 15 Rego broke camp at the 
 head of eight hundred fully equipped men, and 
 started on his march to Cantabria. "\Yord of 
 the preparations for the coming attack had 
 reached the Spanish commander, and he was 
 not slow in making ready for it. The entire 
 plantation was surrounded by guards, and 
 skirmishers were sent out to locate the advanc 
 ing rebels. So it happened that Rego, who 
 had counted upon allowing his men to have a 
 night s rest before going into battle, was 
 forced to attack at once. The fighting from 
 the very start was fast and furious. Hidden 
 in th* dense canefields, where they could not
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 157 
 
 be seen, tlio Spaniards poured a steady fire 
 upon the Cubans, llego s men, although out 
 numbered and poorly armed in comparison 
 with their opponents, fought gamely. Dur 
 ing seven hours the uneven fight continued. 
 Several machete charges were made, but with 
 out any result, as the horses were unable to 
 break through the thick brush. The fight was 
 going against the Cubans, who had lost more 
 than one hundred and thirty men, and accord 
 ingly Eego determined upon a plan which up 
 to this time he had not used. 
 
 Calling his officers about him he gave them 
 orders to set fire to the canefields, and to form 
 all their men on the top of Cantabria hill. A 
 few minutes latter the sharp notes of the bugle 
 sounded the retreat, and the over-confident 
 Spaniards broke out into cheers at what they 
 thought was the signal of their victory. Their 
 triumphant shouts, however, were soon turned 
 into cries of terror, as the rifle-like crackling 
 of the burning sugarcane sounded around 
 them. The entire plantation was soon wrapped
 
 158 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 in flames. Overhead floated dense black clouds 
 of smoke, through which faintly came the 
 sound of the Spanish bugle and the cries of 
 the panic-stricken enemy. Now and then a 
 clearing in the smoke revealed the Spaniards 
 rushing to and fro in their efforts to answer 
 the call of "assembly." 
 
 Rego had drawn his men up in line of battle 
 on the summit of the hill. With their com 
 mander at their head, the men waited silently 
 for the final struggle. It came at last. Little 
 by little the wind carried the smoke and flames 
 across the fields. Almost at the very brow of 
 the hill was the crippled Spanish force. 
 Formed in a hollow square, five files deep, 
 the enemy waited. Rego turned in his saddle 
 and waved his hand. The bugle sounded "al 
 machete, and before the notes had died away 
 the Cubans charged down the hill. 
 
 Squadron after squadron the men raced down 
 the incline. No sound was heard save the 
 thud of hoofs and rattle of arms, as the first 
 squadron, with Rego in the lead, neared the
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 159 
 
 square. As the Cubans approached the Span 
 ish officers were heard shouting words of en 
 couragement to their men. Nearer and nearer 
 came the Cubans. A volley like a thunder 
 clap leaped from the square, followed instantly 
 by a crash, as horses and riders dashed into 
 the compact wall of flesh and steel. Like an 
 avalanche the patriots tore and cut their way 
 through the ranks. The cries of the wounded 
 mingled with the shouts of rage and the clash 
 of steel. Each man fought for himself, and 
 for several minutes it was give and take; then 
 the Spaniards broke and ran. That night 
 more than a thousand guns lay piled before 
 Rego s tent, and huddled beneath a large Ceiba 
 tree were sixty-three prisoners of war. The 
 insurgents had lost in dead and wounded 
 nearly two hundred men. Forty -three Span 
 iards reached the village alive. 
 
 Now happened the action which has placed 
 Eego in the foremost ranks of the men who 
 fight for Cuban liberty. At daybreak on the 
 following morning he sent a letter to Lieuten-
 
 100 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 ant-Colonel Hernandez, then in command of 
 the town of Cumanajagua, saving that he was 
 prepared to return, unharmed, his sixty-three 
 prisoners, provided he was allowed to enter the 
 town with flying colors to do so. AYord was 
 received in reply that "the loyal troops of 
 Spain will gladly receive and entertain so gal 
 lant and generous an enemy." 
 
 On November 17 Colonel Rego with his en 
 tire force appeared on the road leading to 
 Cumanajagua. At his side rode the color bearer 
 behind came his staff, which was in turn fol 
 lowed by the prisoners. As the patriot leader 
 halted, scarcely fifty yards away from the fort, 
 the flag of Spain was lowered and raised three 
 time in salute. Lieutenant Colonel Hernandcx, 
 followed by his fellow-officers, then came for 
 ward, and in a few brief remarks thanked Rego 
 for his generous act, and welcomed him to the 
 town. Accompanied only by his color bearer 
 and staff officers, Colonel Eego accepted the 
 invitation given by the Spaniards to breakfast 
 with them. During the meal the utmost good
 
 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 101 
 
 fellowship prevailed, and- only once was it 
 marred by the action of a too ambitious subal 
 tern. Piising from his chair, the \ ouug man 
 proposed the health of the queen. Fearing 
 some kind of treachery, the Cuban officers 
 sprang to their feet. For a moment things 
 looked dark, but with his customary tact Rego 
 smoothed matters over. 
 
 "To the queen, gentlemen," he said, rais 
 ing his glass. "And now," he continued, 
 after the toast, "to our President aud Cuba 
 Libre. 
 
 As Ilego was preparing to leave the town a 
 few hours later, his former prisoners crowded 
 around him. Some kissed his hand, and 
 others attempted to embrace him. Before 
 leaving he gave to each one the sum of ten 
 dollars and sixty cents. A few minutes later, 
 amid cries of "Viva Cuba, " and "Viva Es- 
 paha, " Hego and his little escort rode out of 
 Cumanajagua and joined his men. 
 
 A short time afterward Eego received a letter 
 from General Paudo, offering him sixty thous-
 
 162 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 and dollars and the rank of brigadier-general in 
 the Spanish army if ho would abandon the 
 Cuban cause. 
 
 "I would have never acted as I did," replied 
 Rego, "if I had thought that this would have 
 been my reward." 
 
 Eego has since been promoted to brigadier- 
 general, and is at the present time in command 
 of the Cienfuegos brigade.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 163 
 
 XIII. 
 
 PE AB D Y. 
 
 IN a quiet spot, shaded by a large Ceiba 
 tree, near the river Hanabana, in the province 
 of Matanzas, and surmounted by a plain board, 
 is a small pile of stones. Burned into the wood 
 are the following words : 
 
 "In memory of Peabody. Killed in action 
 May 1, 1896. Erected by her friends in 
 Squadron C., Fourth Brigade." 
 
 Many have died fighting bravely for the 
 solitary star of Cuba, but none ever served 
 their country more patiently and faithfully 
 than did poor old Peabody. She was only a 
 mule, a plain, everyday, ordinary, awkward, 
 stubborn brown mule. But as such she filled 
 the important place of "ammunition carrier,"
 
 164 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 and was never known to be missing when 
 wanted. 
 
 Born in Cuba, her hopes were with her 
 countrymen; and small wonder was it, that 
 when pressed into the Spanish army, she 
 availed herself of the first opportunity to offer 
 her services to her flag. 
 
 It was at the battle of Palo Prieto, on 
 November 14, 1895. The late Brigadier-Gen 
 eral Bruno Zayas, with his troop of four hun 
 dred men, was stationed at the crossroads of 
 Las Graces and Santa Clara, defending General 
 Serafin Sanchez s left wing. The fight had 
 commenced at seven o clock in the morning, at 
 which hour General Molina, with a force 
 three times superior in number to the Cubans, 
 had attempted to cut to pieces the insurgent 
 camp. General Sanchez, who unfortunately 
 for the cause, was shortly afterward killed, 
 had, however, received word of the enemy s 
 approach, and had made his plans accordingly. 
 
 Palo Prieto is to-day well known to both 
 sides; previous to this battle the Spaniards
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 165 
 
 were unaware of its existence. It lies in a val 
 ley formed by an almost complete circuit of 
 hills, there being but two entrances, on the 
 northwest and south sides of the field. On 
 the latter side, and for a distance of no more 
 than seventy -five yards, runs the river Hana- 
 bana. Beyond this, dotted here and there by 
 small woods, stretches the open country, clear 
 to the forts of Santa Clara. Into this enor 
 mous circle, General Sanchez, by a strategic 
 movement, lead the enemy. Once within they 
 were assailed by a tremendous fire, which 
 poured from every crevice in the hills. The 
 dangerous and all-important northwestern exit 
 was iustrusted to the care of Zayas and his 
 famqus "red troopers," so called on account of 
 the appearance they presented, when covered 
 with red dust, they answered roll call after the 
 battle of Paso Eeal. 
 
 The troopers had defended nobly the pass 
 all day. Time and time again the enemy had 
 charged only to be driven back each time. 
 Shortly after noon the ammunition began to
 
 166 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 run low, and many were the coveted glances 
 cast at the enemy s "ammunition mules," 
 which, well protected, stood huddled together 
 in the center of the Spanish square. Sud 
 denly, and Avhen Zayas himself had almost 
 made up his mind to give the order to retreat, 
 a commotion occurred in the enemy s ranks. 
 The next second and the front of the square 
 gave way as though pushed by a tremendous 
 battering ram, and followed by eight of her 
 companions, a large brown mule broke through 
 the ranks and headed directly for the Cubans. 
 In a twinkling of an eye each man ceased to 
 fire, and breathlessly watched their approach. 
 Straight for the troopers they came, never 
 heeding the rain of bullets which their dis 
 mayed and former master sent flying after 
 them, as they blindly followed their patriotic 
 leader. In less time than it takes to tell they 
 reached the Cubans, who welcomed them with 
 three hearty and grateful cheers. The leader, 
 who was at once christened Peabody, on ac 
 count of the class of ammunition which she
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 1G7 
 
 carried, appeared to be thoroughly aware of 
 her brave and timely action, as she calmly sub 
 mitted to the tremendous rush which was made 
 at her cargo. The fresh supply of ammuni 
 tion decided the battle, and the Spaniards, 
 throwing all honor to the winds, sought safety 
 a few minutes later in an ignominious and 
 disorderly retreat. 
 
 That night Peabody was duly christened and 
 enrolled into the ranks of the "red troopers." 
 
 For many months after this Peabody served 
 her troop and country well. Like all mules 
 she had her tantrums, but Piafael, whose sole 
 dutj r it was to look after and care for her, knew 
 just how to handle her. If any dynamite was 
 to be carried, Peabody was at once intrusted 
 with it. No guide line ever held her head, no 
 lash ever scarred her sleek sides. A. word or 
 call from Rafael was enough to let her know 
 that she was outstepping her bounds and break 
 ing a military rule. 
 
 During the march, no matter whether it was 
 by day or by night, going into or coming out
 
 108 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 of battle, when needed she was always at her 
 place. Her large brown eyes would brighten 
 up with a strange, human light when she 
 was spoken to, and a kind word, or no matter 
 how small a gift, never failed to bring a re 
 sponsive and grateful rub of her soft, white 
 nose. 
 
 Previous to going into battle alone did 
 she seem to lose her customary placid man 
 ner. Then it was that strength was necessary 
 to restrain her from following the vanguard 
 into action. Once in a fight she was an 
 example such as would strengthen the weakest 
 heart. Just when the carnage and din seemed 
 to be at its utmost, Peabpdy was to be seen at 
 her post, directly behind the line of skirmish 
 ers; ready if needed, calmly nibbling the 
 grass, and moving slowly about, perfectly heed 
 less of the whizz and snarl of bullets, as she 
 searched for tit-bits. Several times she was 
 hit, and at the time of her death more than 
 one furrow remained as a needless reminder of 
 her gallant and useful services.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 109 
 
 On May 1, 189G, General Zayas with his 
 entire troop camped at Mi Eosa, a large estate 
 in the province of Matanzas. He had just 
 returned from Pinar del Rio, crossing General 
 Weyler s famous trocha. At the last men 
 tioned place the troop was forced to undergo a 
 heavy fire, during which Peabody had her left 
 ear broken by a Mauser bullet. Try as hard 
 as he could, the doctor was unable to set the 
 drooping ear, and from that day on Peabody s 
 fine, intelligent face was marred. 
 
 Zayas had not been encamped more than 
 two hours when he was told by a pacifico that 
 General Palanga s guerrillas, over four hundred 
 strong, was camped a league away at El 
 Corojo. Although his force was greatly out 
 numbered, Zayas did not hesitate, but decided 
 to remain and give battle in the morning, and 
 thus, for once in his remarkable career, mak 
 ing a serious mistake; a mistake which was to 
 cost the lives of many of his brave troopers 
 and of Peabody. 
 
 The following day dawned beautiful and
 
 170 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 clear. Not a cloud marred the horizon, as the 
 sun in all her grandeur of light and warmth, 
 rose majestically over the tops of the pine 
 trees, and shone down upon our little camp, 
 causing the myriads of dewdrops on (lie 
 leaves and grass to twinkle and sparkle forth 
 as many different little colored rays. Now 
 and then the soft coo of a dove calling her 
 mate mingled with the chirp of the jntia, as 
 together they watched, in amazement, the busy 
 scene. Horses were saddled, ammunition dis 
 tributed, and all was made ready for the com 
 ing encounter. 
 
 Slowly the morning wore on, and still there 
 was no sign of the enemy. 
 
 The sun had almost reached the zenith, and 
 the heat was becoming unbearable, to both 
 man and beast, when the first shot rang out. 
 The next instant it was followed by a volley 
 which tore the leaves from the trees and sent 
 the twigs flying through the air. 
 
 The famous battle of Mi Eosa had begun. 
 
 With a coolness born of constant fighting
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 171 
 
 the troopers sprang to tlieir horses heads arid 
 awaited the order to mount, which the notes of 
 the bugle soon gave, sounding clearly and 
 merrily above the uproar. 
 
 Unable to cope from the very start with the 
 tremendous force which attacked them, the 
 guard was rapidly driven back into the camp, 
 and the fire became a general one. The enemy 
 surrounded Zayas on all but one side, the left 
 flank, which was protected by a small wood. 
 Much against his will, and customary mode of 
 fighting, the general was obliged to form his 
 force in a hollow square. During three long, 
 horrible hours, and beneath a murderous fire, 
 the men fought gamely, then their ammunition 
 commenced to give out. The situation was a 
 desperate one. As fast as a horse was killed 
 his carcass was dragged to the front to serve 
 as a barricade from behind which the men, 
 stretched on the ground, fired. 
 
 During all this time Peabody had remained 
 standing in the center of the square. Stretched 
 at her feet was her faithful friend and master
 
 172 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 Rafael. Every once in a while, especially so 
 when a bullet passed unpleasantly near, she 
 would move her head slightly, but barring this 
 and an occasional pawing, she gave no outward 
 signs of nervousness. Her pack had been 
 taken off her, and she stood there, amid the 
 dying and the dead, with the sun shining on her 
 bright sleek sides, looking in amazement at 
 the enemy. She was a picture which time 
 itself will never efface from the memory of her 
 companions on that day. 
 
 "Scarcely any ammunition left, sir," said 
 Sergeant Zamora, as he coolly blew through 
 the ritle of his barrel. 
 
 "And not a horse fit to ride," answered 
 Zayas, looking dejectedly around. "By 
 George, there s Peabody sound and safe. 
 Rafael, do you think you re capable of riding 
 her to General Arangureu s camp for help? 
 No one but you can ride her." 
 
 Now Rafael had never been noted for any 
 particular deed of valor; in fact, in a fight he 
 was always conspicuous by his absence. But
 
 IX THE SADDI.F, WITH GOMEZ. 173 
 
 maybe it was his beloved Peabody s example, 
 or the surety that death awaited him if he 
 remained where he was, that made him answer 
 in the affirmative to the general s question. 
 
 "Then ride at ouce ; and as fast as she can 
 carry you to General Aranguren. Tell him 
 how we are fixed, and to come at once with his 
 troop," said Zayas. 
 
 Peabody appeared to realize the situation, 
 for contrary to her custom she made no resist 
 ance when the bridle was slipped into her 
 mouth, and when Rafael vaulted on to her back. 
 
 Now go, and ride for your lives, cried the 
 general, as the boy turned her head. 
 
 The next instant they were off. No human 
 power will ever convince the red troopers that 
 Peabody was not aware of her errand. The 
 second the spur touched her she shot from the 
 square. With outstretched head, and muscles 
 strained to their utmost, she plied her dainty 
 little hoofs, in one frantic effort. No 
 thoroughbred ever responded more gamely, or 
 more determinedly. A parting shot from the
 
 174 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 enemy pierced her n^ck, but she did not ap 
 pear to mind it as see tore along the path 
 through the woods and into the highway. 
 
 General Aranguren, with four hundred men, 
 was camped at La Yaya, a little over two 
 leagues away. Never during the entire dis 
 tance did Peabody relax her speed, and in an 
 incredibly short time, Rafael reached Aran 
 guren s camp. News of the fight had reached 
 there, and Rafael found the entire squadron 
 formed and ready to march. Five minutes 
 later they swung into the road, to reinforce 
 their hard-pressed companions. 
 
 Much to Rafael s terror Aranguren placed 
 him in the vanguard to lead the way ; and 
 thus it was that not only did Peabody go for 
 help, but also did she lead it back. 
 
 As they neared the scene of action it became 
 apparent by the firing that the Cubans were 
 more than hard pressed. The sharp volleys of 
 the Spaniards were only answered anon by the 
 red troopers, The time that it had taken the
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 175 
 
 relief to arrive had served to make its aid all 
 the more needed. 
 
 The dead and dying troopers scattered 
 hither and thither, mingled with the carcasses 
 of horses, bullet-torn saddles and useless 
 machetes and guns. Open ammunition 
 pouches, strewn promiscuously about proved 
 how desperately and hungrily the men had 
 searched for shells. The very pose of the 
 bodies showed how the men had fought to the 
 bitter end. On the outer edge of the square a 
 trooper lay stretched beside his horse. Both 
 were dead pierced by the same bullet. The 
 man had evidently just fired his last shot, for 
 his hand was partiallj- hidden in a dead com 
 rades ammunition pouch, searching for the 
 shell which death prevented him from ever 
 finding. A short distance off a sergeant, a 
 mere boy, whose right arm hung limp and 
 bleeding, vainly attempted to ease the suffer 
 ings of his dying charger, shot through the 
 breast. Now and then there came from be 
 neath a pile of motionless figures a puff of
 
 KO IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 smoke, as with a, last effort a trooper fired his 
 parting shot. Grit and determination was 
 written on the smoke-begrimed faces of the 
 man as they carefully aimed and answered the 
 death-dealing volleys of the Spaniards. Such 
 was the condition of the squadron when Aran- 
 guren s troopers, with Peabody still proudly 
 in the lead, emerged from the woods. 
 
 The hard-pressed men saw them, and a faint 
 shout of joy arose from the square. A charge 
 alone could save the day, and the preparatory 
 orders were accordingly given. Line after 
 line, troop after troop, the men formed, eager 
 to avenge their dead comrades. 
 
 Quick to act, the enemy rallied their skirm 
 ishers and tired at the reinforcements. 
 
 Two shots .struck Peabody ; one in the shoul 
 der, the other in the chest. For a second she 
 remained motionless. Then, as she began to 
 totter, a look of sorrow and amazement came 
 into her soft brown eyes. Slowly one knee 
 bent, as though loathe to lower that proud 
 head, then the other gave way, and poor Pea-
 
 IX THK SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 177 
 
 body rolled to the ground. Feebly and vainly 
 she struggled to rise, two large tears trick 
 ling down her face, as her efforts grew weaker. 
 Her eyes, over which Death was rapidly draw 
 ing his mantle, turned toward her troopers, as 
 though saying farewell to the men whose lives 
 she had saved with her own. 
 
 Slower and more faintly beat her honest 
 heart as the bugle sounded the charge. Then, 
 as the squadron swept by in all its glory of 
 life and strength, Peabody died, lulled to sleep 
 by the victorious cries of the charging troopers.
 
 178 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 GOD S YICTOKY. 
 
 IT was a hot cloudy day, and the dust which 
 the horses raised rilled our eyes and dried our 
 throats. 
 
 That morning at eight o clock we had broken 
 camp, and it was now three o clock, with no 
 prospect of ever coining to a halt. The men, 
 accustomed as they were to hardships and to 
 blind obedience, were commencing to murmur, 
 while to add to our misery, several of the 
 horses had almost given out, and their riders 
 were forced in order to save them to dismount 
 and walk by their sides. Colonel Eoja, him 
 self, as he rode a few yards ahead of us, pre 
 sented a sad and bedraggled appearance, as, 
 covered with dust and with his left leg slung 
 across the pummel of his saddle, he swayed
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. It9 
 
 from side to side, keeping time to the regular 
 motion of his horse. 
 
 A week previously we had received dis 
 patches from General Gomez for General 
 Maceo, with orders "to deliver them at once 
 arid return." It meant a ride of over four 
 hundred miles through the provinces of Ma- 
 tanzas and Havana, across the "trocha, " and 
 halfway into Pinar del Eio. A most danger 
 ous commission, for although we were four 
 hundred strong, we would have to cross time 
 and time again the enemy s territory. Only 
 certain places were safe enough to allow us to 
 camp, and as on this eventful day it sometimes 
 happened that they were leagues apart. 
 
 My horse, Senator Sherman, was beginning 
 to tug at the reins, and knowing the little fel 
 low s signal of distress I decided to give him 
 a rest. Calling Andre, my orderly, I handed 
 the bridle to him, then tucking my machete 
 and Winchester one under each arm, I tilted 
 my hat over my eyes, and plodded along with 
 the rest of my men. A half-hour later and
 
 180 IX THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 everybody including Eoja Lad done like 
 wise. 
 
 "Pretty tough work tins marching, drawled 
 Lieutenant Dudley, wiping his face with a 
 much-faded silk handkerchief. 
 
 I nodded by way of reply. I was too busy 
 trying to carry my weary bod} along, not to 
 mention my many and heavy accoutrements, to 
 make any other reply. It was different with 
 Dudley He was an Englishman, and like the 
 majority of his race, big and strong. Poor 
 fellow, a saber thrust settled his fate six weeks 
 later, and deprived me of one of my best friends. 
 
 "Better try a cigarette, old chap, it will 
 soothe 3 r our ruffled spirits, he continued, as 
 with a flourish which smacked of former days 
 he passed me his dented cigarette case. "I 
 wonder where he s taking us to at this rate?" 
 he added, blowing a cloud of smoke in Pvoja s 
 direction. 
 
 "I don t know, unless it is to San Miguel; 
 that is the only camp safe enough for us 
 around here," I replied.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 181 
 
 For several minutes we walked along in 
 silence, during which time I managed to 
 stumble repeatedly, thereby causing myself to 
 waste much breath in denouncing a government 
 which so far neglected its highways as to cause 
 an officer in the republic s service to endanger 
 his life by walking upon them. 
 
 "Notice anything unusual about the colo 
 nel?" asked Dudley, as he wasted some of 
 his superfluous strength by kicking along in 
 front of him a green mango. "Acting very 
 strangely to-day. Eh, old man?" 
 
 "Well, he s never been the same since that 
 wound on his neck, remarked Captain Ca 
 brera, as ho joined us. "That was wound 
 uuiuber two, and he claims that number three 
 will finish him." 
 
 "Well, I hope not," replied Dudley, and 
 once more we walked along in silence. Shortly 
 afterward San Miguel came in sight and 
 twenty minutes later, after nearly twelve hours 
 of steady marching, we went into camp. 
 
 I had just finished watching Andre attend to
 
 182 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 the feeding and bathing of my horse, and had 
 told him how I wanted my dinner, when the 
 colonel s orderly appeared. 
 
 "You re wanted at the colonel s tent, sir," 
 he said, saluting. With a final look at Sena 
 tor Sherman, who stood calmly in the shade 
 eating his dinner, I hastened to obey the colo 
 nel s summons. There I found Captain Ca 
 brera and Lieutenants Molina and Dudley. 
 Twenty -four hours later, and Dudley and I 
 were to be all that remained alive of that little 
 group. 
 
 "Gentlemen," said the colonel, after he had 
 motioned us to be seated; "my position is a 
 most delicate one. As you know I carry dis 
 patches of the utmost importance to General 
 Maceo. Dispatches, such as should they fall 
 into the hands of the enemy would do us the 
 utmost harm. General Pando with his troop 
 is camped half a league away. I am trying 
 to avoid an encounter, but I fear it is impossi 
 ble. Should I be unsuccessful and anything 
 happen to me, may I count on you, one and
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 183 
 
 all, to guard these despatches and deliver them, 
 cost what it may?" 
 
 "Yes, sir, you may, " we answered in unison. 
 
 "Thank you, gentleman, that is all," he 
 answered, a sad smile lighting up his sun 
 burned face. 
 
 "Didn t I tell you that something was 
 wrong with the old man?" said Dudley, slip 
 ping his arm around mine as we walked away. 
 
 "It s only a foolish superstition," I replied. 
 "A man can t lead this life all the time with 
 out getting, once in a while, the blue devils. 
 How about breakfast?" 
 
 "The same as I have had for the past week; 
 roasted meat and roasted potatoes?" he an 
 swered, with a hungry sigh. 
 
 "Share my dinner then. Andre has some 
 thing better than that." 
 
 "Delighted, old chap. What time do you 
 dine?" he answered. 
 
 ""\Yheu it so pleases Andre. Come along." 
 
 A short while after our scanty repast we 
 were joined by Cabrera and Molina, two of
 
 184 IN THE SADDLE WITH (JOMEZ. 
 
 the bravest and finest fellows that it was ever 
 my fortune to knoAv. 
 
 Cabrera, Avho was no more tlian twenty -two 
 year old, Avas famous the island over for his 
 daring deed at La Mandinga. He was a second 
 lieutenant at the time. A charge had been 
 ordered by General Gomez. At that very 
 moment a volley from the enemy wounded both 
 of Cabrera s superior officers. Without a 
 moment s hesitation, he jumped in front of 
 the men and gaA r e the order to charge. The 
 men at first obeyed, but as they neared the 
 enemy s line, and began to feel the effects of 
 their fire, they Avavered and finally came to a 
 dead halt. Cabrera ordered and begged them 
 to follow him. All in vain, they would not 
 budge. With a final word of entreaty, Cabrera 
 dug the spurs into his horse, and alone charged 
 the enemy. Three bullets struck him, but he 
 never faltered. To men of such caliber death 
 is better than disgrace. Barely thirty yards 
 separated him from the enemy, Avhen his ex 
 ample told on his men, and with a cry of
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 185 
 
 "Viva Cuba," they followed Lim. When 
 picked up after the battle, Cabrera was 
 wounded in five places. That night Gomez 
 himself went to the hospital and promoted him 
 to the rank of a captain. 
 
 No one to look at him would have thought 
 that he possessed even the ordinary amount of 
 courage. 
 
 His face was like that of a woman s, 
 smooth and even featured, with large brown 
 eyes that were never meant to look upon the 
 horrors of war; while to complete the delusion, 
 his voice had a decided girlish ring to it. Sad 
 as a rule, his entire demeanor would change at 
 the first notes of the bugle, and he would ride 
 into battle at the head of his men, his cheeks 
 flushed with excitement, and his every motion 
 betokening a soldier. He and Molina were 
 inseparable, and it was no ususuai thing to see 
 them attempting, in an off-hand manner, while 
 under fire, to shield one another from danger. 
 It is at the front where true friends are to be 
 found ; it is there also where the clasp of the
 
 186 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 hand and the word friend Las more than its 
 ordinary meaning. 
 
 During two hours we sat around the fire 
 talking. No mention was made of the possible 
 encounter in the morning, we had long since 
 become used to such things, but like all mor 
 tals who delight in making themselves miser 
 able we spoke of former good times and of 
 the black prospects of the future. 
 
 While thus engaged the faint notes of a 
 bugle carried across the fields by the breeze 
 reached our ears. 
 
 "General Pando s bugle sounding taps, 
 exclaimed Cabrera. 
 
 "And there goes ours," growled Molina, as 
 the bugler stepped into the center of the camp. 
 The next instant and the call re-echoed through 
 the hills, impudently defying our foes. "With 
 a whispered good-night my companions left 
 me alone with Andre, who, wrapped in the 
 arms of Morpheus, lay stretched beneath my 
 hammock. 
 
 A true cavalryman never turns in without
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 187 
 
 first seeing to his horse s comfort, and not 
 wishing to awaken my faithful darky, I threw 
 my poucho over my shoulders in order to pro 
 tect my only suit from the wet guinea grass, 
 and started to say good-night to Senator Sher 
 man. 
 
 I found him as usual, calmly eating. Of all 
 the horses to have an appetite, Senator Sher 
 man certainly took the medal. Rain or shine, 
 heat or cold, nothing in fact could interfere 
 with it. Dear little friend, you settled all 
 your debts to me when, on that memorable day 
 at La Estrella, your nimble legs saved my life. 
 
 On the way back I chanced to pass by the 
 colonel s tent. Much to my surprise I found 
 him leaning against a tree, smoking a cigar. 
 I saluted, and was about to pass on, when he 
 called me. 
 
 "The papers are in my saddle bag; the one 
 on the left," he said, pointing to where his 
 saddle lay slung across a pole. "You will find 
 them there when all is over." 
 
 I was about to reply when he turned
 
 188 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 abruptly on his l.eel and walked away. Won 
 dering at what the morrow would bring us, I 
 returned to my hammock and made read} to 
 "turn in." rT , >n minutes later I was asleep. 
 
 I awoke (c ihe sound of "reveille," at half- 
 past three, < j rind it raining. Judging from 
 the appearance of the ground it had evidently 
 been doing so for several hours, but the march 
 of the previous day had so tired me that it is 
 hard to say just what would have awakened 
 me. I sent Andre after my horse, and set 
 about uuslinging my hammock and rolling it; 
 no easy matter, for what with the dew and the 
 rain it was airly well soaked. I had barely 
 finished wh m my orderly reappeared with 
 Senator Shemian, none the worse for his damp 
 night s rest. In less time than it takes to tell 
 he was rubbed down, saddled and tied to the 
 bough of a neighboring tree. 
 
 At four o clock the order to "fall in" was 
 given, and for a moment the hubbub of voices 
 was drowned by the trampling of horses and 
 the clanking of spurs and arms.
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GO.MKZ. 189 
 
 "Attention! Prepare to mount! Mount!" 
 and four hundred men swung simultaneously 
 into the saddle. At that very moment, and as 
 though acting as a forerunner to the memorable 
 day which had just dawned, the rain com 
 menced to come down in torrents. The ink- 
 black clouds were parted here and there by 
 vivid flashes of lightning, and peal after peal 
 of thunder re-echoed about us ; while to add to 
 our misery the wind, which up to that time 
 had been fairly moderate, increased in force 
 and drove the rain in blinding sheets against 
 our faces. Leaves, twigs, and, in fact, every 
 thing which the wind could wrench from the 
 ground, went sailing through the air. Now 
 and then the rain would let up a bit, only to 
 be started afresh by a clap of thunder which 
 seemed to shake the very earth. All this time 
 the squadron, drawn up in a long sinuous line 
 stood at attention, the water running in little 
 streams from every angle of the men s bodies. 
 Occasionally a horse, made nervous by the 
 tedious wait and rain, would rear and plunge,
 
 190 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 causing the line to undulate like tbo coils of 
 some large serpent. 
 
 Dudley, a few feet away from me, sat his 
 horse and appeared totally indifferent to every 
 thing except a piece of straw, upon which he 
 was arduously chewing. In answer to a look of 
 inquiry which I gave him, he withdrew the 
 straw from his mouth long enough to tell me 
 that the colonel was waiting for the scouts to 
 return. 
 
 An hour went by and then they appeared, 
 coming down the road at a sharp pace. In 
 stantly everyone braced up. Something was 
 going to happen. One of the scouts, a cor 
 poral, rode up to the colonel and made his 
 report. Several times during the conversation 
 he pointed to a field over a mile square which 
 lay a short distance to our right. When the 
 colonel had heard all the man had to say he 
 dismissed him and sent for Cabrera and I. 
 
 "I was mistaken in the identity of the force 
 ahead of us, " he said. "They are the guardia 
 civiles of Santo Domingo, and are about five
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 191 
 
 hundred strong. I cannot imagine who is in 
 command of them, for according to the last 
 report which I received, their leader, Colonel 
 Suarez, was ill. At any rate they are coming 
 this way, and I propose to exchange a few 
 shots. Each of you will take your respective 
 troops, and after dismounting your men, post 
 yourselves behind the stone wall on the south 
 side of yonder fields. I will, with the rest of 
 the force, station myself in the center of the 
 field." 
 
 "Dear me, more dirty work," exclaimed 
 Dudley, when I told him of the order. 
 "Why, my boots are nearly gone, and this will 
 surely finish them. What a disgraceful pre 
 dicament for one of her majesty s subjects," 
 and he groaned aloud as he obeyed my order 
 to dismount. Leaving twenty-five men to look 
 after the horses, I formed the rest in a column 
 of fours and gave the order to march. The 
 rain had not ceased, and the road Avas ankle- 
 deep in mud, but that was better than dust, 
 and the men did not appear to mind it much.
 
 192 IN THE SADDLE WITH 
 
 A better ambush could not have been wished 
 for. In front of us stretched the open field, 
 smooth and level as a billiard table, while 
 the large trees which grew all around us 
 screened us completely from the advancing 
 enemy. 
 
 I ordered the men to place themselves where 
 they wished, but not to tire until I so told 
 them. Dudley, who was a capital shot, at 
 once scrambled up a mango tree and straddled 
 a branch. Several minutes of confusion en 
 sued, during which Cabrera appeared and 
 posted his men about one hundred yards fur 
 ther up the fence, then all once more became 
 quiet. I picked out a place in the wall, 
 directly beneath Dudley s tree, with a splendid 
 loophole, and stretching myself on the ground, 
 awaited developments. Tliey came sooner than 
 I expected. 
 
 "I say, old chap, " suddenly cried Dudley 
 from above, "this blooming branch is wob 
 bling in a deuced awkward manner. I think 
 you d better move, don t you know."
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 193 
 
 I knew, and consequently moved several 
 feet away. In this manner and in the utmost 
 quietude, a half-hour was passed ; then there 
 appeared in the ranks of the colonel s men 
 that wave of nervous excitement which always 
 denotes the approach of the enemy. Surely 
 enough, a few seconds later and they appeared, 
 marching in splendid order, a quarter of a mile 
 down the road. Fifty feet ahead of them rode 
 their scouts. Five all told they were; each 
 man a model of discipline. Straight as reeds 
 they rode, with the butts of their carbines rest 
 ing on their knees, ready for instant action. 
 Nearer and nearer they came, until we dis 
 tinctly heard the creaking of their accoutrements 
 and the trampling of the horses. Both side 61 , 
 were now visible to one another, yet neither 
 one opened fire. When they reached the en 
 trance to the field, fifty yards from my men, the 
 scouts halted and waited for the main body to 
 come up. Then, all massed, they stepped 
 across the opening and on to the field. 
 
 I looked at the colonel. Stretched out on
 
 194 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 his horse, the nickel-plated barrel of his Win 
 chester rested between the ears of his well 
 trained mount. As I looked there came a puff 
 of smoke, a cry from a wounded Spaniard, 
 answered by the roar of two hundred Cuban 
 rifles, and Colonel Roja s last fight was on. 
 
 I waited until all of the enemy s force had 
 entered the field, and then gave the order to 
 fire. Cabrera at once followed suit. Instantly 
 a bugle sounded, and over two hundred Span 
 iards swung around in perfect order and faced 
 us. The rest proceeded a few yards when 
 they halted and deploying as skirmishers, 
 opened fire on Eoja s men. I had taken an 
 active part in many skirmishes with Spanish 
 cavalry, but up to that time I had never been 
 so fortunate as to encounter Spain s famous 
 guardia civiles, and I can truthfully say that a 
 finer set of men it would be very hard to find. 
 They are indeed worthy of the praises which 
 their countrymen bestow 7 upon them. Several 
 times during this encounter orders requiring 
 difficult evolutions were given, and each time
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 195 
 
 they were obeyed with that wonderful coolness 
 and accurateness which denoted the thoroughly 
 drilled and disciplined soldier. 
 
 Protected as we were by the stone wall, we 
 had our opponents at a great disadvantage, 
 and before long we had emptied several of their 
 saddles. At first the Spaniards fired from 
 their horses, but after a short while they dis 
 mounted and stretched themselves in the 
 grass, where it became more difficult to hit 
 them. 
 
 Soon after this maneuver I nervously 
 noticed that their entire fire seemed to be 
 directed toward the spot where I had stationed 
 myself. Somewhat dismayed at this discovery 
 I peered over the top of the wall. Directly in 
 front of me, and about one hundred and fifty 
 yards away, walked a Spanish soldier. As I 
 looked he shouted an order, and pointed with 
 his saber to the tree above me. The next 
 instant he clapped his hand to his side, 
 tottered and fell. 
 
 "By Jove! pinked at last. You cost me
 
 1% IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 three shots, old man, but I popped you at 
 last," drawled a voice from above. 
 
 The mystery was explained; Dudley s shoot 
 ing was making them nervous. 
 
 "Come down from there. You ll get 
 killed," I shouted. 
 
 "By Jove! what an unkind and jarring re 
 mark to make, old chap. Just you 
 
 But the rest of his speech is lost to history, 
 for the next instant there came from over my 
 head the sound of cracking wood, a wild yell, 
 followed by the thump of Dudley s enormous 
 frame upon the ground. 
 
 "Are you hurt?" I exclaimed, mentally 
 thanking my stars that he had not landed upon 
 my back. 
 
 "De-ar me," he gasped; "lucky you mo- ved 
 old chap-pie. Blooming old stick wobbled 
 and wobbled until it cracked in two. 
 
 His experience had, however, been a lesson 
 to him, and he contented himself from that 
 time on with fighting from terra jirma. 
 
 Immediately afterward the firing became too
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 107 
 
 hot to allow of any conversation, but every 
 once in a \ihile Dudley s "By Jove!" would 
 reach me through the fire and smoke. 
 
 An hour went by in this manner, with no 
 visible advantage to either side. One of my 
 men had been killed and three others wounded, 
 but in return we had placed hors de combat 
 seven of theirs. Just when I was wondering 
 how long I would have to hold this position, 
 Sergeant Zamora rode up and told me that the 
 colonel s orders were for me to mount my men 
 and rejoin him at once. 
 
 Something had occurred, I concluded, or eko 
 the old fellow would never have changed his 
 plans, and accordingly I hastened to obey. 
 
 As our two troops galloped on to the field, I 
 noticed that many of our horses were trotting 
 aimlessly about without their riders. We had 
 evidently met our match in marksmanship. 
 
 Koja saw us coming and the order to "as 
 semble on the left skirmisher" sounded on the 
 bugle. 
 
 The firing had ceased completely, and both
 
 198 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 sides were now massing for the final test. 
 Scarcely three hundred yards separated us, , 
 and a more imposing sight I have never wit 
 nessed. The dead and wounded of both sides 
 lay directly between us on the muddy ground. 
 The thick smoke curled in heavy clouds along 
 the ground, wrapping itself in fantastic shapes 
 about the horses feet, and inclosing like a 
 phantom mantle the rain-soaked forms of the 
 men. Surprised at the comparative silence 
 which now followed, the riderless horses 
 ceased their mad race and drawing nearer, 
 halted on our flanks, and watched in amaze 
 ment the strange sight. 
 
 Both sides, now formed, awaited the signal. 
 The commands "draw sabers" and "prepare 
 to charge" followed in rapid succession. The 
 Spanish officer turned in his saddle and said a 
 few words to his men. The next second their 
 bugle sounded the charge, and with a long, 
 graceful wave their line sprang forward. Sim 
 ultaneously with their first movement, Koja, 
 with a sweep of his machete, gave the signal,
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 199 
 
 and with a shout that shook the very heavens 
 we charged. 
 
 Like two colossal machines, and as though 
 impelled by the same power, both sides swept 
 on. The thundering of hoofs, the rattling of 
 arms, and the wild shouts of the troopers, rose 
 clearly above the noise of the storm. Nearer 
 and nearer drew both sides, louder and louder 
 grew the yells of the men, until with a crash 
 which seemed to lift my horse off the earth, 
 Spaniards and Cubans met. 
 
 I caught one glance of Dudley lifting his 
 long machete, to ward the blow aimed at him 
 by the Spanish officer, and then there followed 
 a noise such as no human power can ever 
 equal, and I knew no more. 
 
 How long I lay there I know not. I awoke 
 to find Dudley sitting on the ground directly 
 opposite to me with his face buried in his 
 hands. A heavy odor such as can only be 
 compared to that caused by the bursting of a 
 dynamite bomb, and the smell of burned flesh 
 at once assailed my nostrils. Every bone in
 
 200 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 
 
 ray body ached, and my throat was so parched 
 that I could hardly move my tongue. 
 
 "For God s sake what has happened, Dud 
 ley?" I faintly asked. 
 
 At first he did not move, then he slowlj 
 lifted his head and in a half-frightened man 
 ner looked at me. 
 
 "Thank heaven, old man, I once more hear 
 your voice," he cried, as he sprang toward me. 
 "We were struck by lightning, and there are 
 only a few of us left alive to tell the tale." 
 
 After a feu r minutes I was able to sit up, and 
 to listen to what he had to say. According to 
 what he remembered, a bolt of lightning had 
 fallen between both sides at the very moment 
 that they had met, and almost before a blow 
 had been struck. Nearly everyone was ren 
 dered senseless by the shock, or killed in 
 stantly. Those who were spared were too 
 much frightened to continue the fight. These 
 were now huddled together in two separate 
 groups, not knowing exactly just what to do. 
 On every side lay shapeless and charred fig-
 
 IN THE SADDLE WITH GOMEZ. 201 
 
 ures, while in the spot where the bolt had 
 fallen a sickening mass was piled. An appall 
 ing silence reigned ; and everyone appeared to 
 be struck dumb before the proof of God s 
 inscrutable power. 
 
 Roja, Cabrera and Molina had been killed. 
 We find their bodies at the head of the troop, 
 frightfully mangled. 
 
 Let us pass over the sad scene which fol 
 lowed. Suffice it to say that a truce was de 
 clared, the dead buried, and the wounded cared 
 for. After that both sides left the field. 
 
 The dispatches for which so many brave 
 men had perished were totally destroyed, and 
 we thus deprived of ever being able to fulfill 
 our promises. 
 
 That night many miles separated us from 
 the ill-fated field. 
 
 "You and I alone now, old chap," said 
 Dudley, as the notes of "taps" died softly 
 away. 
 
 "And to the end," I answered, as I grasped 
 his outstretched hand. 
 
 THE END.
 
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