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Page 76
"What was his name?" asked Ridge.
"Haven't an idea."
"Do you know the name of the ship?"
"Yes, of course. She is the _Gray Nun_, a converted yacht."
"Rollo Van Kyp's own boat!" cried Ridge.
"You don't mean it?"
"I do." And then Ridge told all that he knew of his friend's splendid
contribution to the service that was doing more than the government
itself towards alleviating the sufferings of the American troops before
Santiago. When he finished, he said, "Of course the skipper recognized
Van Kyp?"
"No, he didn't," replied the other--"at least, not then, for the poor
chap's face was covered to protect it from the sun, and I didn't
mention his name until after he had been taken aboard, when I gave it
to the surgeon in charge. At first I only described him as a Rough
Rider wounded in recovering his troop flag, and the skipper said that
was all he wanted to know about him."
Besides his news of Rollo, the surgeon had brought from Siboney a
number of letters recently arrived there for the Rough Riders, and one
of these was handed to Ridge. Opening it curiously, for he did not
recognize the handwriting of its address, the latter read as follows:
"DEAR MR. NORRIS,--I have just been made very happy by learning from a
friend of yours, a Mr. Comly, who is in the navy, that you are not only
alive and well, but still with your regiment, and have done all sorts
of splendid things. This is news that will cause great rejoicing among
all your friends, including your own family, who have been very anxious
and unhappy concerning you. Major Dodley reported in New Orleans that
you had been placed under arrest for desertion--of course no one who
knew you believed that for a moment--but had escaped and run away.
Your father was so furious that he gave the Major a horse-whipping in
front of the St. Charles, and made him take back every word. Then he
telegraphed and wrote to Tampa; but half of your regiment had left, and
those who remained behind could tell nothing except that you had
disappeared in a very mysterious manner. You may imagine the distress
of your father.
"I had returned to my own home, but Dulce wrote me all about it, and I
received her letter when on the point of starting for New York to offer
my services as a Red Cross nurse, for I didn't feel that I could let
the war go on a day longer without having some share in it. I was
accepted, and immediately assigned to duty aboard the society's ship
_Gray Nun_, to which I am still attached. That is how I happen to be
here, and I am so glad I came, for I don't believe even you can imagine
how much we were needed. I have also discovered you, and shall write
to Dulce at once. Hoping that we may meet before long, I remain,
"Very sincerely your friend,
"SPENCE CUTHBERT.
"On board _Gray Nun_, off Siboney, _July_ 8, 1898."
"Whew!" whistled Ridge, softly, as he finished reading this letter.
"If that isn't a budget of news! Spence Cuthbert here in Cuba nursing
wounded soldiers! But it is just like the dear girl to do such a
thing. If I had only known of it sooner, though, I might have found a
chance to run down to Siboney and see her. Now it is too late, for the
_Nun_ has gone again. She will discover Rollo, though, and take care
of him. Lucky fellow! Wish I was in his place! And Comly, too! He
must have made that call and scraped an acquaintance. What cheek those
navy chaps have, anyway! So Dodley reports me as a deserter, does he?
And the dear old dad horsewhipped him. Oh, if I had only been there!
It is a shame that I haven't managed to write home, and I'll do so this
very minute."
In pursuance of this resolve, Ridge did write a long letter to his
mother, in which he told of his great disappointment at not seeing
Spence Cuthbert before she left Cuba, and sent it to Siboney to be
forwarded at the first opportunity.
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