"So? You wish to go west, eh?"
"Yes, sir. I want to find Colonel Lopez."
"Lopez? Miguel Lopez?" the general inquired, quickly.
"I believe that's his name--at any rate the Colonel Lopez who has
been operating in Matanzas Province, You see, he knows the
whereabouts of my--friends."
"Well, you won't have to look far for him." General Gomez's
leathery countenance lightened into a smile. "He happens to be
right here in Cubitas." Calling Judson to him, he said: "Amigo,
take Mr. O'Reilly to Colonel Lopez; you will find him somewhere
about. I am sorry we are not to have this young fellow for a
soldier; he looks like a real man and--quite equal to five
quintos, eh?"
It was the habit of the Cubans to refer to their enemies as
quintos--the fifth part of a man! With a wave of his hand Gomez
returned to his reading.
As Judson led his companion away he said: "When you have finished
with Lopez come to my shack and we'll have supper and I'll
introduce you to the rest of our gang. You won't get much to eat,
for we're short of grub; but it's worse where Lopez comes from."
Col. Miguel Lopez, a handsome, animated fellow, took O'Reilly's
hand in a hearty clasp when they were introduced; but a moment
later his smile gave way to a frown and his brow darkened.
"So! You are that O'Reilly from Matanzas," said he.
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