e garrison escaped? Suddenly from
beyond the town came the rattle of musketry. Soon the sound swelled into
a steady roar, which the mountains echoed again and again."

The same writer tells a story in regard to one whom he terms a real hero
of the war, and he calls attention to the callous manner in which
Spanish soldiers were sacrificed to protect political adventurers at
home. To quote his own words:

"His name was Don Rafael Martinez. There was no military justification
for attempting to hold Coamo under the circumstances. Yet Major Martinez
stayed. He was still in the prime of youth and in fine health. In Spain
his family is aristocratic and influential, and could have protected
him from the consequences of a quixotic court-martial. Martinez knew
that resistance was utterly hopeless. But Colonel San Martian had been
practically disgraced by Governor-General Macias for evacuating Ponce,
and all commanders of garrisons in the path of the American army were
ordered to fight. So Major Martinez kissed his young wife and children
good-by one day last week and sent them into San Juan for safety. His
scouts brought word that an American column of double the garrison's
strength was slowly creeping around to his rear. Then Martinez knew that
he was trapped, and decided to go out and meet the enemy. He rode in
advance of his slender column until he sighted Hulings's men, who were
immediately apprised of the enemy's presence by a volley. Soon bullets
were flying like hail. Martinez, mounted upon a gray horse, rode up and
down in front of his troops, uttering encouraging words. The soldier's
death which Martinez sought was not long coming. For a while he reeled
in his saddle, maintaining his seat with evident difficulty. Then his
horse went to his knees, and Martinez slowly slid from the saddle, a
lifeless form. When Major Martinez was found, five wounds, three of
which were mortal, were discovered. His horse was shot in four places."

The result of the attack on Coamo was the capture of about one hundred
and eighty men, or most of the garrison except the cavalry who took to
the mountains by paths better known to them than to the Americans. Of
General Wilson's force, none was killed and only a few were wounded.

The whole affair was splendidly managed. As has been said before, all
General Miles's plans could be put into action, the war was practically
ended.

On the afternoon of August 12, Secretary of State Day and M. Cambo