CHAPTER XX
THE INVASION OF CUBA
"And so you were aboard the _Merrimac_, and were one of thatextraordinarily gallant crew?" said Mr. Brindle, when Hal had at lengthtold all that had befallen himself and Gerald since they left thehacienda to fetch more help from Florida. "Indeed, my lad, it seems tome that you have seen more adventures and more of this war, short thoughit has been, than anyone else taking a part in it. One thing strikes meforcibly, and that is your determination to return to the hacienda inspite of all difficulties. What made you undertake the task? Considerthe frightful risks you ran, for now that you have time to look into thematter, and judge of the dangers that menaced you, you cannot but admitthat your life would have paid for it had you been captured. There isnot a man in Santiago who would not give you over to the authorities ifhe happened to recognize you; while, had the military but laid handsupon you, your fate would have been sealed, for they have a score to payoff, and would take good care that you did not outwit them as before."
"I don't know that the danger was so very great," Hal answered quietly."You see, Mr. Brindle, you have been like a father to me since I lost myown. You gave me a home and employment when I was an outcast and inwant, and I should have been an ungrateful cur if I had not endeavoredto return your kindness in some way. You sent me on a mission to obtainnegroes to defend the plantation, and when I left you, you were in whatone would call a very sorry plight. Unfortunately, I happened to fall inwith that fellow Jose d'Arousta, who we all know bears the hacienda andits owners little love. I failed entirely to carry out your wishes, andhave naturally been anxious to know how you were doing without the helpwhich you so sorely needed. Once we had given the slip to the Spaniards,I felt certain that they, led by that fellow I mentioned, would do allin their power to discover us, and one of their first actions wouldcertainly be a visit to Eldorado. The consequences might well have beenserious, and, as a matter of fact, I have imagined that all sorts ofevil things had happened. That is the reason why I have worked hard toget here, for I felt that I must settle the question. As to the risk,well, I admit that it was great, but it is past now, and I can afford tolaugh at the adventure. Now, as to why I failed to bring negroes when Isailed to Florida with Gerald. No one, not even the President of theUnited States, could have chartered a boat to bring them here, fortransport is at a premium; and, moreover, the Spaniards watch every footof the shore. You heard how one poor fellow spotted me in the darkness;what chance, then, had I of landing with a batch of negroes?"
"Not the smallest, my lad. There is no need for an explanation as to whyyou did not carry out your mission, for we all know by now that what HalMarchant sets himself to do he does, if it is possible, in spite of alldangers and difficulties. As a matter of fact, I recognized that yourhopes were doomed a few days after you had ridden away. And now let metell you how we have fared. When you awake to-morrow, and go out on tothe veranda, you will find that a great change has taken place about thehacienda; for the beautiful Eldorado, of which we were so proud, is nowlittle better than a fort. Bags, in which tobacco leaves are usuallykept, have been filled with earth, and arranged outside the walls and infront of every window. A double row protects the top of the veranda,and, better than all, a tall tower surmounts the roof, and looks downupon the clearing. Yes, we have been hard at work, I can assure you. Tobegin with, while some felled the trees at the edge of the clearing, afew, who could ill be spared, lay out in the forest and plantation, andscouted round to warn us of the approach of the enemy. The remainderworked--well, like the slaves they were once upon a time, or as theirfathers and mothers were before them. It is incredible to me even nowhow they managed as they did; but, within a few days of your departure,our defenses were completed, and not a moment too soon, as I will tellyou.
"Not a week had passed when the outposts, which I had stationed away inthe forest, brought me word that a mounted party was approaching. I atonce concentrated my meager force amongst the trees, and awaiteddevelopments. Then, as the strangers drew nearer, I sent forward a whiteflag and demanded their business, informing them at the same time that Iwas prepared to resist any violence.
"As you might expect, Jose d'Arousta was the leader of the gang, and heat once advanced to meet me, as unconcerned and as impudent as ever, andto all appearance careless of the consequences.
"'I carry a warrant here for the arrest of your son, and of hisaccomplice, the Englishman, senor,' he said, in his suavest tones, notforgetting at the same moment to lift his hat with a flourish.
"'Indeed,' I answered; 'and for what reason have you been intrusted withsuch a document?'
"'Pshaw, senor, you cannot prevaricate with me,' he said disdainfully,and with an aggravating sneer for which I could have struck him. But Iwas careful to maintain a calm demeanor.
"'Prevaricate!' I retorted. 'Surely Jose d'Arousta, the would-be thief,is scarcely the man to say that to me. Prevaricate indeed! I will haveyou know that I do not stoop to telling an untruth, even though aregiment of Spaniards were at my door.'
"At that our old friend lost his temper, for my words touched him on theraw.
"'You are telling an untruth,' he cried. 'You would have me believe thatthe two for whose arrest I hold a warrant are not here. They are spies,I tell you, and you are aware of it, for you must have sent them intoSantiago. That is where they were captured, in the very heart of thetown. Deliver them up to me, senor, or it will be the worse for you.'
"You may guess, my lad, that my heart leapt to my mouth at his words.You and Gerald captured! It was a shock to hear it. Next moment,however, I was comforted by the reflection that, if he now asked for youboth to be handed over to him, you must have effected an escape.
"'If they were indeed captured, Senor Jose d'Arousta can scarcely wantthem delivered into his keeping now,' I said quietly; 'and if he does,he should apply to his own countrymen. In any case, the lads are notspies.'
"'Senor,' he replied hotly, evidently having lost all patience, 'I askyou again to hand them over. Where are they, I say?'
"'And I answer, if you have lost them, find them for yourself. I willgive you no help,' I rejoined, in the same calm tones.
"'I will," he cried angrily; 'I will take them now, at this instant,from the hacienda, and then I will do as I promised, and set the placeflaring about your ears.'
"'Then you will do so at your peril,' I answered with an easy smile.'Here are some of my men. See, they are armed, and will fight for metill I tell them to hold their hands. Now, draw back to your set ofscoundrels, and do your utmost.'
"'You shall suffer for this, senor,' he shouted. 'I will shoot everyhand on the plantation, and then look to yourself and to the adorablesenora. Those who attempt to hinder the servants of his Majesty KingAlfonso of Spain must pay heavily for their temerity.'
"I bowed haughtily to that, while he withdrew to his men. Then the wholeSpanish party put spurs to their animals, and came galloping towards thehacienda. We brought them to their senses at once with a volley, whichemptied three of their saddles, sending the men crashing to the ground.A second, equally well aimed, dispersed them, and when they fled back toSantiago it was with their heads held less haughtily in the air. Fromthat day to this I have seen nothing of the pleasant Jose, nor has thehacienda been attacked by any marauding Spaniards."
"I am very glad to hear it," said Hal, in tones of satisfaction. "Had Iknown it, I think that I should have waited longer before coming. Butanxiety for your safety got the better of my fears. Then, too, I hadintended to remain here in case you should need another rifle. But now,with your permission, I will leave the island again and join theAmericans. I had no part in this quarrel between the two nations when Ileft the hacienda, though I admit that my sympathies were stronglyinclined to the Yanks; however, my ideas are changed now. But for alucky escape, Gerald and I should have fallen as spies before the riflesof a file of Spaniards. I seek no revenge for that, but it has made methrow in my lot with your countrymen. I have seen some fighting withthem alre
ady, and now I hope to act as guide when they invade this partof the island."
"I cannot blame you for your resolution," Mr. Brindle answered. "Untilthis struggle is settled one way or the other, none of us can return toour usual employment; nor can we feel secure. I thank you, my lad, forall you have done, and particularly for the thought which prompted youto return to us in spite of such difficulties and dangers--dangers, bythe way, which would have deterred many a man of more mature years. Youfind us very well able to look to ourselves, and you have relieved ouranxiety as to your own and Gerald's safety. Go, therefore, as soon asyou wish, and join the army of invasion. When the war is over, return tous, for here is your home, and here you may be sure of a real welcome."
He reached across the table, and shook Hal heartily by the hand, sendinga cup clattering to the ground as he did so. There was no doubt thatHal's devotion had touched him deeply, and the same could also be saidof Dora. To hide the tears which would come when she thought of all hehad gone through, and of all the dangers he must yet encounter, sheknelt on the carpet and commenced to pick up the pieces of broken chinathat lay scattered there; for Dora was, indeed, very fond of this fineyoung fellow, who had come into the lives of the hacienda folk in such acurious manner.
"I am glad you agree," said Hal, returning his employer's grip; "andnow, as you throw no difficulty in the way, I will prepare to slip fromthe island again. Of course I shall have to leave when the Americanfleet is near, and, in any case, I must arrange to join the troops whenthey reach Cuba."
"Which will be shortly, I fancy," Mr. Brindle said, rising from his seatand going to a bookshelf. "Here are the chief American papers up to afew days ago. I do not pretend to know how they were landed, but Isecured them through a native, who is in communication with one of theplantation hands. Evidently President McKinley and his government havebeen hard at work, for troops, consisting of regulars and volunteers,have been mustering and drilling everywhere. It is of course impossibleto create an army in a day, even though you happen to have somethousands as a nucleus. Then, too, transport, engineering, supply, anddoctoring are items which cannot be arranged rapidly. It takes weeks,sometimes months, to get these departments to work smoothly, a factwhich has only dawned upon our generals and people, and is no smallsource of worry. Still, much has been done; for under General Miles, whois the Commander-in-chief, chaos has gradually developed into some formof order. Another seventy-five thousand volunteers have been called forto make up the deficiency caused by the necessity of sending troops tothe Philippines. Now, I understand from these papers, Chickamauga andTampa are overflowing with troops, while other camps in various parts ofthe States are in a similar condition. Transports lie at Key West readyto carry the boys across the sea, and in that vast country everyone ison the tiptoe of excitement at the thought of invasion at last, which nodoubt will take place in this neighborhood. The arrival of Cervera'sfleet has altered the sphere of action, which is unfortunate enough forSpain, for the bulk of her troops are at Havana, where enormouspreparations to resist attack by land or sea have been made by MarshalBlanco. Santiago is even now in a state of famine, and if our troopsland near, the town is sure to fall, and the Spanish colors give placeto the Star-Spangled banner.
"Now I fancy that you have all the news. Fitzhugh Lee, a veteran of thecivil war, is one of our generals, as also is Joseph Wheeler. TheodoreRoosevelt has raised and equipped a cavalry regiment, which is likely tolead the Dons a dance, for it is for the most part composed of cowboys.Astor, another patriotic millionaire, has supplied a battery ofquick-firers, with men, horses, and equipment complete. Others have comeforward with money, and last, but by no means least, American women havecommenced to organize hospitals, so as to be ready for the reception ofsick and wounded, of whom there must needs be many, particularly of theformer, for it must be remembered that swamps are to be found everywherein this country, and that fever, combined with hardship and exposure, isfar more fatal to an invading army than are swarms of bullets and vastmasses of the enemy."
This, indeed, is a wholesome truth that it would be well to rememberalways. An army sent into the field cannot prosper and give a goodaccount of itself unless its more peaceful departments are in a state ofperfection. For supposing the transport and supply fail, where would allthe hungry men and horses obtain food? Grass can generally be had inabundance for the animals, but even grazing is often scarce. As for themen, they may by great good fortune pick up plenty to keep them going,but the chances are, especially if they have entered the enemy'scountry, that they will find little, and even then only after a long andfatiguing search, during which they may suffer heavy loss by the fire ofthe enemy. Therefore, the army which possesses an efficient supplydepartment, following ever upon its heels, will be far more capable ofsuccess than an ill-fed force of men, who, after a long day in thefield, must perforce wander away to find food. Of no less importance,too, is the medical department. Men who are exposed to hardship andrough work will almost inevitably fall ill, and who is to look afterthem, and those who are wounded in action, when they are helpless, iforganized hospitals, each with an efficient staff, are not attached tothe force? Men would die untended by the roadside, while the number ofsick would increase by leaps and bounds till they hampered the army, anddestroyed all hope of rapid movement, and therefore of success.
Mr.Brindle had given most of the news, and to bring the events of thewar up to date it is necessary to add only a little. Fourteen thousandmen, together with the new Astor Battery, were sent to San Francisco,and from there, owing to the lamentable want of transports, wereconveyed in batches to the scene of operations in and about Manila, inthe Philippines. This naturally caused delay, so that many weeks passedbefore active measures could be taken. This expedition was commanded byGeneral Wesley Merritt.
And now a small but extremely important incident had upset allcalculations. Cervera and his fleet had arrived at Santiago, and it wasat once necessary that the town and harbor should be subdued, and thefleet destroyed. Admiral Sampson, who, after the _Merrimac's_adventurous voyage, had made several reconnaissances in force, declaredthat to rush the entrance was impossible. He called urgently for troops,and General Shafter was at once ordered to hold himself and twenty-sixthousand men in readiness to sail from Key West.
Hal stayed at the hacienda for a week, and then he rode away for thecoast, still disguised as a Spanish soldier.
Almost every night while at Eldorado he had heard the guns of theAmerican fleet playing upon Santiago and its forts, the noise on twooccasions, when the dynamite gunboat, named the _Vesuvius_, was inaction, being prodigious. When he arrived on the seacoast, he at oncehid in a big grove of palms.
"From here I ought to be able to get some idea of the movements of thefleet," he said, seating himself upon a rock, and lifting a pair ofglasses to his eyes. "It seems as if a landing were intended."
He was not mistaken, for some cruisers were steaming slowly along thecoast as if searching for an opening. Suddenly they turned shorewards,and their guns began to fire upon a small fort.
"Now is my chance," thought Hal. "By riding hard I ought to be there intime to join any landing-party that may be sent ashore. They have chosenDaiquiri."
He jumped into his saddle again and cantered off. An hour later he rodeboldly down to the shore, to a point from which a small pier projected.A party of American marines had just landed, and Hal found himself atonce a prisoner amongst friends.
"Why, who aer this? Come off that 'ere moke!" cried one of the marines,grasping his bridle. "You must be the durndest fool as ever wur, orperhaps you're what's wuss, and that's a cove what goes back on hispards."
"I am nothing of the sort," Hal answered, with a laugh. "I am Britishborn, and American just now for choice. You would do me a great favor ifyou would drop the point of that bayonet, my friend."
"Wall, that kind er knocks me all ter pieces!" the marine answered,starting back in astonishment, while a roar of laughter burst from hiscomrades. "A Britisher, and no durn
ed son of a Don after all! At anyrate, hop off it right away, and come along slippy. You may be a pard,as yer say; but then yer mayn't. Ef it aer that sort er way, it'll be acase with yer."
He took Hal by the sleeve, and conducted him to the officer in chargeof the party, where explanations were soon made and accepted.
"Where are you going now?" the officer asked. "I presume you've comehere on purpose?"
"Yes; I wish to get aboard the flagship," Hal answered. "I was therebefore, and, in fact, only left a week ago, when I managed to getashore."
"Ah, you did? Then come along right here, sir, and tell us how the Donsare doin'. Then, if you wish it, I'll send you aboard the admiral'sship. But if you'll take my advice, you'll remain with us. We're theadvance landing-party."
"I will with pleasure," Hal replied; "and if you wish it, will act asguide."
"That would suit finely. Say, do you know Guantanamo, the port fortymiles east of Santiago?"
"Yes; I have been there once. I rode from the hacienda to it, andfollowed forest paths all the way."
"Then you'll be very useful, for it's there that we're goin' to land.We're here for the night only."
This indeed was the case, and the marines encamped close beside the pierthat night, Hal taking up his quarters with them, and making use of theopportunity to borrow a suit of American clothes; for it was no jokebeing dressed as he was, and running the gantlet of the abundant chaffwhich his Spanish uniform attracted. We will do him the justice,however, to say that he made a very fine, soldierly looking fellow inhis unaccustomed kit, and would have taken first place for size andgeneral air of manliness among the Spaniards quartered in Santiago, or,for the matter of that, in any part of the island.
"You'd get copped as sure as eggs if you met any of the enemy," was theremark which one of the marines made to him. "As soon as you'd put yerhead into one of the Dons' camps you'd find a tidy lot er bulletsfizzin' close by yer nose, for I reckon they don't show many of yoursort. There's somethin' about you, young mister, that looks like beef,good old honest roast beef, the stuff that Britishers boast of, and thesame that them Froggies and others of the same sort sneer at, and jistwish they could crow about. But get it off--I mean them togs, elsep'raps the sentry yonder will be makin' a mistake, and sendin' a plug ofdaylight through yer."
On the following day the marines re-embarked, and steamed along thecoast to Guantanamo, where three cruisers and two gunboats at onceentered the roads, and rapidly dispersed the Spanish garrison. Then the_Panther_, a transport, carrying 850 marines, steamed in. The men atonce disembarked, Hal accompanying them. They encamped on a hill near avillage called Playa del Este, and pushed their pickets into the bush,which grew down close to the water's edge. On their right, Caimamera,another village, was in flames, having been deserted and fired by theSpaniards.
"Mr. Marchant," said the officer in charge, to whom Hal had beenintroduced, "will you take a rifle and help the boys?"
"Certainly," was Hal's ready answer. "I fancy that your men will soon beengaged, for this place is surrounded by bush, as you can see foryourself, and that is an ideal cover for Spanish irregulars, who, I maytell you, are masters at that particular form of fighting, having beentaught many bitter lessons by the insurgents. There! Listen to that!"
They went outside the tent, and heard the distant rattle of musketry,and then the answering shots from their own pickets. Taking up a rifle,and filling his pockets with cartridges, Hal at once ran up the hill tojoin them.
"Keep yer noddle low thar," a sergeant sang out to him. "The Dons aersendin' their bullets skimmin' over here, and it's odds yer don't quitesee from where. That's the ticket. Get low down, and keep a livelylook-out."
Hal took the advice given him, and, copying the example of the sergeant,threw himself down behind a rock. Then, dropping his rifle for themoment, he commenced to build up a little breastwork, just like theschantzes used by the Boers in South Africa. Having obtained excellentcover in this way, he knelt up and stared into the bush.
Ping! thud! A rifle flashed three hundred yards away, and the bulletstruck a foot or two to his right, sending chips of rock and a fine dustflying into the air. Ping! phit! Again the rifle cracked, and all thatHal could see was a dense mass of tangled green trailers and ferns.
"Wait a bit," he murmured beneath his breath. "I see that big fernmoving. Why, as I live, it has crawled ten feet in the last half-minute.There must be a man behind."
He aimed carefully and fired. Instantly the waving fronds started highinto the air, and, falling asunder, disclosed a Spanish guerrillareeling blindly from side to side. Then he flung his arms wildly abovehis head, and, twisting round in his agony, fell prone to the earth.
"HE AIMED CAREFULLY AND FIRED."]
"That aer one for you, pard," the sergeant cried. "Guess it wur a mightyfluke."
"Wrong, then," Hal answered. "The Spaniards have stuck ferns into theirhats, coats, and belts, and that is the reason why you do not spot them.It's a very old trick of theirs, and one that they learned from theCubans. Watch for moving leaves, and pull your trigger with the sightsleveled three feet beneath."
"So! aer that it?" the sergeant answered wonderingly. "You're mightycute, young feller. Hillo! Durn me, but thar aer a fern on the walk."
He rose to his knees, and, sighting carefully, pulled his trigger verygently. The report was followed instantly by a commotion amidst theleaves, which suddenly fell to the ground.
"That fetched home, I'm thinking," he cried. "Here goes for another.Ah----"
Hal turned his head, to see the unfortunate American suddenly collapse,and lie motionless across the bowlder. A Spanish bullet had broughtquick revenge for the death of a comrade.
"Poor beggar! The fortune of war," Hal remarked sadly. "Well, as he'sgone, I must act for both."
He placed a cartridge in the breech and went on firing. Then he passedthe news that the Spaniards were, like Malcolm's army of old, deckedwith boughs and leaves, along the lines of trenches which had beenthrown up hastily for the protection of the outposts. Hour after hourthe musketry duel continued, and so clever were the Spanish guerrillasat taking cover that they forced the American pickets back to the mainbody of the marines. About midnight Hal retired from the firing line forrefreshment and sleep.
"What advice do you give about these fellows?" asked the officer."They're certainly clever at keeping out of sight, and there seems noway of getting alongside them. We've four killed already, including oursurgeon, and if it wasn't for the bad shootin' of the enemy there'd beheaps more."
"I should say, turn on the electric searchlight till morning, and thenpound the bush with the guns of the ships," Hal answered. "If that doesnot stop the firing, you'll have to choose between retiring and rushingtheir cover."
"We're not going to do the first, in any case," the officer repliedsturdily; "but that is a good dodge--to turn on the light. I'll signaldown for it," and he went away at once.
Hal ate a meal of tinned meat and rusks, which he washed down with a bigdraught of coffee from the lid of his canteen. Then he rolled himself ina blanket which had been given to him, and quickly fell asleep, for hewas worn out with his long day in the trenches. But all night long themusketry flickered along the hillside, and when morning dawned it was asactive as ever. Early in the day a band of Cuban insurgents joined theinvading Americans, and gave information of a Spanish camp four milesaway.
"There's going to be a fight to-morrow," said the marine officer to Hal."We've just had orders to march out and attack this Spanish encampment.Cubans will lead the way, so that we shall not be wantin' you as guide;but if you'd care to come, why, you know you're welcome."
"Just what I'd like. When do you start?"
"Early dawn. We'll get breakfast for all hands, and then away, so as tomake a day's job of it. The ships are now going to throw shells into thebush."
He had scarcely finished speaking, when loud booming was heard from thesea, and missiles commenced to hurtle overhead. Every corner of the b
ushwas searched by the exploding shells, but, in spite of the flyingfragments, the same desultory and harassing fire continued, for theSpanish guerrillas clung tenaciously to their posts.
Next morning a force of six hundred, including marines and Cubans,marched from their bivouacs, Hal joining the party, armed as before witha rifle.
"I reckon we'll have to be precious wide awake," said his new friend."Cubans are out as scouts, but in this thick bush we want something inthe shape of a balloon. How far should you say we are from the Dons?"
"They told us that the camp was four miles from us," answered Hal. "Wehave been marching for an hour, so I fancy that we must be within half amile or less of the enemy. Hillo! Lie down quickly!"
The silence of the bush, through which the troops were forcing a way,was suddenly broken by the crackle of musketry coming from directly infront. Fortunately, the marines were moving in open order, or otherwisethe losses would have been heavy. As it was, no one was hit, thoughshowers of leaves were stripped from the trees, and came tumbling in acloud to the ground, or upon the heads of those who happened to bebeneath.
"A Spanish ambush!" exclaimed the officer. "Here, sir, hop along over tothe signaler, and tell him to let the _Dolphin_ know whereabouts theyare lying."
"Right! I'll do it!" cried Hal. "You can expect me back shortly."
He bent low in the bush, and ran to the left, to a knoll upon which asignaler was stationed. On his right nothing but thick scrub was to beseen, from which, however, the continuous ping of musketry rang, provingthat hidden foes lurked there. Straight ahead was the coast, towardswhich a gunboat, the _Dolphin_, was steaming so as to aid the land partywith its guns.
Hal at once gave his message, and watched the signaler wag his flags tothose on the gunboat. A few minutes later small shells from thequick-firers began to fall into the cover in which the Spaniards werelurking. Then rifle volleys were directed at them, searching everycorner. At length, unable to face the hail any longer, they broke andfled.
"After them! Charge! All together, boys!" shouted the officer incommand; and, springing to their feet, the whole party dashed forward.
"Hold! Lie down, all of you! You'll get knocked to pieces by theshells!" the officer shouted again; and, producing a whistle, blew ashrill blast upon it. For the _Dolphin's_ guns were still playing uponthe bush, and to attempt to cross it would have been to incur heavyloss. At length, however, the gunboat was signaled to cease fire, and,at once rising to their feet, the whole of the invading force dashedtowards the Spanish camp.
Rifle in hand, Hal ran ahead of the men, and alongside the officers, andwas one of the first to rush amongst the huts in which the enemy hadtaken up their quarters.
"There are Spaniards just in front!" he shouted. "At them! Let us havesome prisoners."
"Hooroo, lads! Charge!" the officer shrieked at the pitch of his voice,and at the order the men who were nearest swept like a torrent to theend of the narrow and dusty little street.
"Hands up! Surrender! You are prisoners," he commanded, coming suddenlyin sight of a Spanish lieutenant and some eighteen men. Instantly rifleswere dropped to the ground, and the small party of the enemy, who hadbeen unable to escape, held their arms above their heads in token ofsubmission. Then their young officer advanced, and with saddened faceand a sigh of resignation tendered his sword to the American officer.
"We surrender, senor," he said, in very fair English. "The fortune ofwar has smiled but blackly upon us."
Hal only waited to see that the prisoners were safely taken, and to hearthe American officer make some consoling reply, before he again dashedforward in pursuit of the enemy. Suddenly a rifle cracked from a hut infront, and the bullet pierced the rim of his hat, whistling shrilly asit hurtled by his ear. Then a Spaniard stepped into the open, and,shooting a cartridge into the breech, took a calm and steady aim at himagain. The figure was at once familiar, and a turn of the head at thatmoment disclosed the handsome but scowling features of Josed'Arousta.
Hal did not hesitate, but, lowering his bayonet, he rushed full tilt athis old enemy. There was a sharp report, the stunning effect of aconcussion close at hand, the shock of which can only be realized bythose who have been unfortunate enough to experience it, and hestaggered back, half dazed. Next moment, with an oath at his want ofsuccess, Jose sprang behind the building into the bush, where he was atonce lost to sight. As for Hal, he was too stunned to be able even tosee for a few moments, so great was the effect of the rifle which hadbeen discharged at point-blank range. When he was able to look round,not a Spaniard was in sight, but a poor Cuban, who had been at his side,lay wounded at his feet, having been struck by the bullet which Josed'Arousta had intended for himself.
Under the Star-Spangled Banner: A Tale of the Spanish-American War Page 20