Page 155 (1/1)

"Unfortunately that is the only kind I can offer it Take care of it until I find so its people"

O'Reilly had looked on at his friend's e that Branch would undoubtedly try to foist upon hi for the baby, he slipped away and rode over to where Captain Judson was engaged ina litter upon which to carry the sick prisoner they had rescued from the jail When he had apprised the artillery the latter sht," Judson chuckled "We'll hts with it Maybe it'll improve his disposition" More seriously he explained: "This chap here is all in I' Judson's glance, O'Reilly beheld an euava-bush The roith a ly at the brazen sky His lips were ; from them issued a steady patter of words, but otherwise he showed no sign of life

"You said he was starving" Johnnie dismounted and lent Judson a hand with his task

"That's what I thought at first, but he's sick I suppose it's that daeon fever"

"Then we'd better look after hihty careless, you know We can swing him between our horses, and--"

Judson looked up to discover that Johnnie was poised rigidly, his mouth open, his hands halted in midair The sick man's voice had risen, and O'Reilly, with a peculiar expression of a his ears to hear what he said

"Eh? What's the matter?" Judson inquired

For a moment O'Reilly remained frozen in his attitude, then without a word he strode to the sufferer He bent forward, staring into the vacant, upturned face A cry burst froathered the frail, filthy figure into his arms

"ESTEBAN!" he cried "ESTEBAN! This is O'Reilly O'Rail-ye! Don't you know me? O'Reilly, your friend, your brother! For God's sake, tell me what they've done to you! Look at erness, such thankfulness, such passionate pity were in his friend's hoarse voice that Judson drew closer He noticed that the faintest flame of reason flickered for an instant in the sick ain, and the sa of O'Reilly's story; he had heard mention of Esteban and Rosa Varona; he stood, therefore, in silent wonder to the incoherent words that poured from his friend's lips O'Reilly held the boy tenderly in his arms; tears rolled down his cheeks as he implored Esteban to hear and to heed him