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Page 78
The month of August was drawing to its close when an expectant throng
of people gathered about the wharf of the great military camp recently
established for the home-returning American army at Montauk Point, on
the extreme eastern end of Long Island. Most of the throng were
soldiers, but among them was a little group of civilians accompanied by
a young trooper wearing a brand-new uniform, but looking very pale and
weak, as though recovering from a severe illness. He was Rollo Van
Kyp, only just out from the New York hospital to which he had been
taken more than a month before. With him, and anticipating his every
need, were Mr. and Mrs. Norris and Dulce. Their Long Island summer
home had not been sold, and now there was no need that it should be,
since Mr. Norris's affairs had taken a decided turn for the better. As
soon, therefore, as they learned that the army was to be sent to
Montauk, they went to this cottage and fitted it up as a convalescent
hospital, for any of their boy's wounded comrades to whom he might
desire to show particular attention. Thus Dulce, though not enrolled
in the Red Cross service, wore a nurse's costume, and Rollo Van Kyp,
who had insisted on coming down to welcome his home-returning comrades,
was one of her patients. Now they were looking for Ridge, of whose
illness they had not yet learned.
Those Rough Riders left behind at Tampa had already been transferred to
Montauk, together with all the horses of the regiment, and these hearty
young troopers formed the greater part of the throng now assembled to
greet the heroes of Las Guasimas, of San Juan, and of the Santiago
trenches, for Colonel Roosevelt and his men were coming home, and the
_Miami_, on which they were embarked, was nearing the wharf. Her decks
were crowded with men, worn and weary, clad in battle-stained uniforms,
and filled with a great joy at once more breathing the air of their
native land. Already was Rollo recognizing familiar faces, and eagerly
pointing them out.
"But where is my boy?" cried Mrs. Morris. "I cannot see him."
The others did not answer, for they too were greatly disappointed at
not discovering the face they most longed to see.
At length the slow-moving ship was made fast, its gang-plank was run
out, and the eager troopers began to swarm ashore. Some were so weak
that comrades were obliged to support their feeble steps; but all were
radiant with the joy of home-coming. Cheer after cheer greeted each
troop, as with silken guidons fluttering above them they marched from
the ship, and finally a perfect roar of welcome announced the
appearance of their Colonel.
"There's Teddy!" cried Rollo, with a feeble attempt at waving his hat.
"Oh, how good it is to see him again!"
"But my boy! Where is my boy?" cried the distracted mother, crowding
her way to the very front rank of spectators. As she did so, Colonel
Roosevelt passed close to her, and she clutched his arm.
"Oh, sir, my boy! Where is my boy? Do not tell me he is dead!"
"It is Mrs. Norris, Colonel," explained Rollo Van Kyp, pressing
forward, "and she is disappointed at not seeing the Lieutenant."
"Thank God, my dear fellow, that you are alive!" exclaimed the Colonel,
grasping Van Kyp's hand. Then, in a lower tone, he added, "We had to
leave poor Norris behind. He was too ill to be brought on a transport,
but he may come at any time on a hospital-ship. Here is a note for his
family from one of the hospital nurses. My dear madam," he added,
turning to Mrs. Norris, "your son is alive, but detained for a time at
Santiago. If you will excuse me now, I will see you again very
shortly, and tell you of all the fine things he has done."
With this the embarrassed Colonel passed on, thankful at having thus
concluded one of the interviews with anxious parents that he so dreaded.
For a moment Mrs. Norris stared after him in speechless agony; for the
mother's keen ear had overheard his low-spoken words to Rollo Van Kyp,
and she knew that her boy had been left in Cuba too ill to be moved.
Then she uttered a moan, and fainted in her husband's arms.
A little later, when the saddened group had been driven back to the
cottage that had been so happily prepared for the reception of their
soldier, they read Spence Cuthbert's note, hastily written as the Rough
Riders were embarking at Santiago. It told of the terrible suffering
that had impelled her to remain behind when the _Gray Nun_ went north,
of her disappointment at not hearing anything from Ridge, and how she
had at last discovered him in the Santiago hospital, to which she had
been transferred immediately after the surrender.
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