The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 115: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CUBAN HOLD UP. eae €é I smiled at this, for Thomas was continually receiving ‘‘ indelible impres- sions,’’ which invariably melted and vanished in the gleam of the next pair — of eyes that looked into his. ‘“Yes, they are lovely, as you say ; but we shall probably never see them again, and so we had best arm ourselves against the inevitable parting. Now, to change the subject, what do you think of these stories told us in Matan- zas, about the Cuban women taking part in conflicts in the open field? For my part, I don’t believe it 1s in them.’’ ‘“ Neither do I,’’ sniffed Tom. “It’s all tommyrot. In my opinion, the wonian doesn’t live who would take the chances in open battle. She just can’t do it, that’s all; it isn’t in her. The average woman has no ‘sand,’ n backbone ; she wasn’t born that way. ‘The men seem brave enough, both sides ; but I don’t believe the-women, have a spark of courage or patriotism ; or if they have, they’ve most successfully concealed it.’’ I might have been deceived, but I thought I noted two pairs of lovely shoulders stiffen, at this remark, which could not but have been overheard, though doubtless uot understoods ‘The ladies were sitting With their backs towards us, while the father faced their seats and us, at intervals apparently dozing, but with one eye open. ‘Well,’ I rejoined, ‘‘that isn’t a very gallant remark, but perhaps the estimate of the sex isn’t far wrong. However, why should it concern us, ‘ anyway, and why has our conversation taken such a turn? Now what do you think of the scenery, for instance? Aren’t.those beautiful palms over in the field yonder ?’’ ‘ ““Scenery be blowed! Imray, for once in my life I’m hit, hard hit. That girl’s image is engraven upon my heart, I tell you; it’s stamped.’’ ‘“Oh bosh! But which one’s image, Tom ?”’’ ‘“Why—Oh, no matter. But, Jove! She’s divine.’”’ Then my com- panion gazed out of the window with a rapt expression, which, once I saw it, precluded any attempt on my part to draw him back to things mundane and material. Meanwhile, the day passed away, and (strangest of happenings) ‘ the train arrived at the station of our. destination on schedule time. We sought the forda, and found it a one storied structure of adobe, with only four rooms, all on the ground floor. The landlord was dirty*and greasy, as well as insolent, and seemed to take a malicious satisfaction in telling us that all his best rooms‘had been engaged by a Cuban gentleman for himself and daughters. But we were welcome to a bench apiece in the kitchen, though ‘ more than that he could not promise. | “Tell him to go to thunder with the kitchen panel ’? exclaimed Tom, in great heat of righteous indignation. But that instant he caught sight of out friends, the Cubans, just entering the hotel, and a vast change came over his wrathful countenance. ‘‘Say, old man, they’re going to stop here for the night. Jove! I thought they went along. Tell the landlord to give us the bench—whatever he will. Perhaps we’ll get a chance to speak with them, . after all; who knows?’’ But alas, they at once disappeared, and were invisible until the morning having their meals sent to their rooms. As for us, we spent a wakeful night ) (E(@) 1EDoo CS 5} (E(0) dl