The native American., 1838-01-13
SCENE AT THE HAVANA.

In the fall of 1922, schooner arrived in Hava-
ma, from Connecticut, being principally laden with
fruit and vegetables. AS usual, the dealers in
these articles hastened on board, and bargained
with the captain for the different portions Of the
lcargo which they wanted. One Spaniard took a
4 great fancy to lot of apples. After some delay
a bargain was struck, and in order to secure them
he paid for them on the spot, with the understand
ing that he would send a boat for them the next
1day. The boat did not come. Several DAYS pass
| ed and nothing was heard from the Spaniard.
Meanwhile the apples exposed to the steam of the
hold, In that warm climate, were rapidly decay
ing When the purchaser at last came on board
to take possession of his property, he looked ex-
lceedmgly blank on ascertaining the deplorable
condition-about one-half being rotten-and the
remainder presenting an appearance by no means
healthy. lie positively refused to take the ap-
pies, called the captain cheat, and insisted on
his returning the money which he had received
for them. This, of course, the captain refused
to do; but it was to no purpose that he told him
it was fair bargain, and that if he had not sold
them to him, he could have sold them to others
the same day, or the day following, at the same
| or perhaps, at an advanced price. The Spaniard
would not be pacified, and went away mutterng
dark threats of revenge.
| On the following night, the captain was trou-
bled with indigestion and could not sleep. To-
wards day-break, after laying some hours awake,
1 he arose, and throwing over his shoulders dark
calico dressing gown, ascended on deck. The
night was exceedingly pleasant--the stars twin
kled in the sky--and not breath of wind ruff
fled the surface of the water. After pacing the
quarter deck few minutes, he seated himself at
the after part of the quarter deck beneath the aw-
| ming. He had not been seated long, when he
saw what he conceived to be strange fish swim
ming around the schooner at a little distance He
narrowly watched its motions, although without
string from his poston-and was nota little sur
prised when he saw it swim towards the gangway
and raise itself out of the water. His surprise,
however, was changed into terror, when he saw
stepping over the side naked Spaniard, with
long knife in his hand. He remained mute and
motionless-and narrowly watched the move
ments of this mysterious intruder The Spaniard
looked cautiously around, as if to see that the
watch was not alarmed-and then with light and
noiseless step, proceeded towards the companion
way, entrance to the cabn-down which he
soon disappeared.
motive was not good one---that he probably de-
signed mischcf-and recollected the dark nut
terings of vengeance which were uttered by the
lSpaniard on the previous morning. He looked
round for some weapon, but could find none, ex.
lcepting junk bottle partly filed with lamp oil
which was deposited in the pinnacle. With this
in his hands, he placed himself-eaning over the
lcompanion- an attitude which enabled
him to give his vsiter striking proof of his re-
Igard and hospitable feelings, whenever he was
disposed to issue from the cabin. few mo-
8 ments only elapsed, when the Spanard' aitogeth-
! er unconscious of the welcome reception the cap
$ tain had prepared for him, cautiously assembled
9 the steps. His head just made its appearance
above the scuttle, when the captain gave him a
|blow on his bare cranium with the corner OF the
Ibottle. that would have felled an OK! The Span
< lard rolled heavily to the bottom of the stepshe
/ captain stepped to the sky-light, told his mate
what he had done, and ordered the cook to procure