They swore that Cuba had lost, in him, a
peerless champion. When he had finished they cheered him loudly
and the orchestra broke into a rousing military march.
Leslie turned to voice his irritation and surprise to Norine, but
she had slipped away, so he glared at O'Reilly, wondering how the
latter had so artfully managed to mistranslate his remarks.
When Rosa and O'Reilly returned to Esteban's cabin they found
Norine ahead of them. She was kneeling beside the sick man's
hammock, and through the doorway came the low, intimate murmur of
their voices. Rosa drew her husband away, whispering, happily:
"He will get well. God and that wonderful girl won't let him die."
XXX
THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT
The journey to the coast was made by easy stages and Esteban stood
it fairly well. The excitement wore upon him, to be sure, and the
jolting of his litter was trying, but Norine was always at his
side where he could see her, and Rosa joined in the tender care of
him. Guides, horses, and a tent for the sick man had been
supplied, and over these O'Reilly exercised a jealous
watchfulness, ably seconded by Branch. For once, at least, the
latter lent himself to useful ends and shirked no duties. His
wounded arm recovered miraculously and he exercised it freely; he
skirmished industriously for food and he enlivened the journey by
a rare display of good spirits.
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