Part 7 (2/2)
”I am, sir,” was the decisive reply.
”Good! A commissioned officer was selected for this duty, but he is prevented by illness from performing it. You have been chosen to take his place on the recommendation of Colonel Roosevelt because of your knowledge of Spanish, your military record, and because you are a native-born American. I could have found plenty of Cubans to undertake the mission, and possibly one of them would have carried it to a satisfactory ending, but I wanted an American.”
”Plain North American Yankee,” growled General Shafter.
”As you know,” continued General Miles, ”a powerful expedition is about to leave this place for Cuba. Very few persons have any idea where it is to land; but you must know that in about ten days from now it will appear off Daiquiri, some twelve miles east of Santiago, in which city I want you to be at that time. You will sail to-night in the despatch-boat _Speedy_, of which this gentleman, Lieutenant Boldwood, is the commander. Within three days he will land you on the northern coast of the province of Santiago. During the following week I want you to visit the Spanish commanders at Holguin, Jiguani, and Santiago, to all of whom you will bear what purport to be important despatches from Senor Carranza, chief of the Spanish secret service in North America, whose headquarters are in Montreal.
”You will represent yourself to be Jose Remelio, one of the clerks attached to the recent Spanish Legation at Was.h.i.+ngton. You will estimate the strength and condition of the Spanish forces in the province. Also, you will meet as many of the insurgent leaders as possible, inform them of the coming of our expedition, and impress upon them the necessity of intercepting supplies or re-inforcements for Santiago. For the sake of appearances, I authorize you to a.s.sume any military rank up to that of Captain you may deem advisable. You will also be given the secret countersign of the Cuban Junta, which will secure for you good treatment among all Cubans of intelligence.”
”His best safeguard among Cubans should be that he is an American soldier,” suggested General Lawton.
”You will perceive,” continued General Miles, ”that I have laid out a vast amount of work for you to perform in a very short time; but you will be provided with plenty of money, and by procuring a good horse as soon as possible after landing I believe you can accomplish it. I hope you will be able to reach Santiago and gain a knowledge of its defences; but no matter where you are, when you hear that our army has landed, make your way to it with all speed, and report immediately to the commanding general. Is all this clear? and have you anything to suggest?”
”Your instructions are perfectly clear, sir,” replied Ridge, his voice trembling with excitement, ”and I only want to suggest that instead of depending upon Cuban horses for transportation across the island, I be allowed to take my own from here.”
”Are you sure that your horse is enough better than those of the island to warrant carrying it to such a distance?”
”I can vouch for that, General,” interposed Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt. ”Sergeant Norris has one of the very best horses in our regiment, and one that has developed almost human intelligence under his training.”
”No one realizes the value of a reliable horse in times of danger better than I,” rejoined General Miles. ”I wonder, though, if it will be possible to carry one on the _Speedy_?”
”I believe we can manage it, General,” said Lieutenant Boldwood.
”Very, well, then, you may take your own horse. How will you get it to the port?”
”I think the simplest and probably the quickest way will be to ride her, sir.”
”Then do so with all haste, for I want the _Speedy_ to sail this very evening, and within two hours, if possible. You will receive your despatches, funds, and promised countersign after you get on board.
Good-bye. Good luck to you, and remember that your proposed movements must be kept absolutely secret outside of this room.”
Ridge had barely taken his departure after shaking hands with the several generals, who rose to bid him farewell, when a telegraph message was handed to General Shafter. He read it with perplexity, studied it for a few moments, and then burst into a roar of laughter.
It was from his aide, Major Dodley, had been sent from Port Tampa, and read as follows:
”I charge Sergeant Norris of Rough Riders with contempt, disobedience of orders, and desertion. Saw him aboard transport, and delivered your order, whereupon he disappeared. Have searched s.h.i.+p without discovering trace of him. He has undoubtedly deserted.”
”Some persons are fools occasionally,” remarked the big General, ”while others are never anything else. I don't think Dodley belongs to the former cla.s.s.”
CHAPTER IX
HERMAN DODLEY INTERPOSES DIFFICULTIES
After leaving headquarters, and while making his way back to camp, our hero was in a state of hardly-to-be-repressed excitement. Was one of his age and limited experience ever intrusted with so important a mission? He did not believe it possible, and was so filled with pride that it seemed as though every person he pa.s.sed ought to regard him with respectful interest. As one after another only glanced at him carelessly or failed to notice him at all, he wondered at their stupidity, and felt like compelling their attention by proclaiming his great secret.
At camp the situation was even more aggravating, for every one was so intent on his own affairs or so unhappy at being left behind that Ridge found himself barely noticed. Several questioned him concerning his return, and one asked if the whole regiment was ordered back.
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