Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/226

 He wakes moderately early and has a brief ante-breakfast chat with Landlord Carter.

"Have I heard of any fighting around here?" repeats Carter, in response to Ashley's inquiry. "No, but I expect to see some most any day. There is a report that a large number of insurgents are encamped in the mountains within a score of miles of Jibana and the natives hereabout are becoming restless. A rebel victory or two would send the whole of this part of the province into the insurgent fold. By the way, a party of three Americans arrived last evening after you had gone to bed."

"So? What are they doing here and who are they?"

"They are going out to some sugar plantations near here to-day. I haven't learned their names yet, as"

At this moment the newspaper man hears a familiar feminine voice exclaim in tones of the utmost astonishment. "Why, Mr. Ashley!" and he turns to see Louise Hathaway standing in the hotel doorway.

Though somewhat dazed mentally, Jack lifts his hat and remarks, as if he had seen her but yesterday, "Good-morning, Miss Hathaway. You are an early riser."

"You don't appear a bit surprised to see me," says the young lady, as she gives him her hand; "while I am completely bewildered at meeting an American friend in the midst of this wilderness."

"Oh, this is a very small world," remarks Ashley.

"Now, do tell me how you happen to be in Cuba. I am dying with curiosity," declares Louise.

"Then I will explain in all haste. You should be able to guess from my military bearing and the fierce aspect which this helmet gives me that I am a war correspondent. I have been in Cuba a little over a fortnight. I arrived at Santiago three days after the Semiramis dropped anchor and was told that you had gone to Havana."

"But how did you know we sailed from New York on the Semiramis? My note, left at the St. James hotel, stated that we were going to Cuba on the steamship City of Havana."

"Exactly. And I supposed that you had, until I saw