Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-10-31
MARTI. THE SMUGGLER.
FROM BALLoU's HISTORY OF CUBA.

OHc vi tuO HIOoG ouCC0SSIul VIIlla1S WHOSE
story will be written IN history, is a man
named Marti, as well known in Cuba as the
person of the Governor General himself -
Formerly he was notorious as smuggler
and half-pirate on the coast of the island be-
ing a daring and accomplished leader of reck-
less men.
Hisstory, we'll known in Cuba and to the
home government, bears intimately upon our
subject.
Whin Tacon landed on the island, and be-
came Governor General he found the reve-
nue. laws in sad condition, as we'll as the
internal regulations of the island ; and, with
. spirit of mingled justice and oppression, he
determined to do something in the way OF
reform Tac0n saw that one of the first
moves for him to make was to suppress the
smuggling upon the coast, at all hazards
and to this end he set himself directly to
work. In vain were all the vigilance and
activity of Tacon and his agents-they ac-
complished nothing.
At tast, finding that all his expeditions
against them failed. partly from the adroit-
ness and bravery of the smugglers, and part
ly from the want of pilots among the shoals
and rocks that they frequented, a large and
tempting reward was offered to any one of
them who would desert from his comrades
and act in this capacity in behalf of the Gov
ernment. At the same time, double sum,
most prineely in amount was offered for the
person of one Marti, dead or alive, who was
known to be the leader of the lawless rovers
who thus deiled the Government
1t was dark, cloudy night in Havana
A little before midnight man, wrapped in
cloak. was watching two sentinels from
behind the statue of Ferdinand, near the
founta in, and. after observing that they pa
ced their brief walk so as to meet each other.
and then turning their backs as they separa-
ted, leaving a brief moment in the interval,
when the eyes of both We're turned away
from the entrance they were placed to guard.
seemed to calculate upon passing them unob-
served 1t was an exceedingly delicate ma
nuvre, and required great care and dexteri-
ty to effect it; but at last it was adroitlv
done, and the stranger sprang lightly through
the entrance, secreting himself behind one of
the pillars in the inner court of the palace.
The sfntinels paced on undisturbed.
The figure which had thus stealthilv effect
ed an entrance. now sought the broad stairs
that led to the Governors suit of apartments.
with confidence that evinced perfect know
ledge ot the place. In large easy chair sat
the commanderin-chief, busily engaged in
writing but alone. An expression of undis-
guised sat sfaction passed across the weather
beaten countenance of the new conner at the
state OF affairs. as he coolly cast off his cloak
and tossed it over his arm, and then proceed
ed to wipe the pirspiration from his face
The Governor, looking. up with surprise.
fized his keen eyes upon the intruder.
bonr ~ a enters assd dheEe 9nan1opnced at this
the stranger earnestly.
"Ote who has information of value for the
Governor General. You are Tacon, | SUM-
pose p
81 i'm. What would you with me or. ra-
ther; low did you pass my guard unchallen-
''Of that anon. Excellency, you have Of
fered handsome reward for information con-
cerni1g the rovers of the gulf"
"Ht yes. What of them ?" said Tacon.
with 4ndisguised interest.
"Efellency. must speak with caution"
contlIlled the new conner otherwise NAV
condemn and sacrifice myself"
"Yql have nought to fear on that head
The Oter of reward for evidence against the
scape9aces also vouchsafes pardon to the
informant. You may speak on, without fear
the very confederation ITSELF"
"YoH offera reward, also, in addition, for
the discovery of Captain Marti. of
the smuggler-do yon not %
1--WE do, aad will gladly make good the
promise of reward for any and all informa-
tion upon thesubject." replied Tacon.
First, Exclency, do you give me your
knightly wort that you will grant free par
don TO If II 4Lot
know. even eIbracing the most secret hiding
places of the Dvers?"
pledgeYou my word of honor" said |
the commando.
"No matterlow heinous in the sight Of the |
law my offenes may have been, still you
will pardon mnnder the Kings seal ~
Il will, if yu reveal truly, and to any
good purpose, answered Tacon, weighing in
his mind the pubose of all this precaution.
Given if | wel leader among the rovers.
myself?"
The Governor 1esitated for a moment, can
vassing, in a sine glance, the subject before
him, and then ssl
'Even then, beou whom you may ; if you
are able. and wi honestly pilot our ships.
and reveal the seets of Marti and his fol-
lowers, you shalle rewarded as our proffer
OHf suioOAA ACCClFC lIO0 par
don."
"Excellency, Ihink / know your cbarac-
ter well enough trust you, else l should
not have venture here"
"Speak, then ny time is precious" was
the impatient reB of Tacon.
Then, ExcelAcy, the man for whom YOU
have offered tR largest reward, dead or
alive. is now befe you'll"
"And you areI' I
"Martiw !
The Governoreneral drew back in aston
IshmeRt and cashs eye towards brace of
pistols that laywithin reach of his right {
hand !; but it wasOnly for single moment,
when ne again aumed entire selfcontrol,
and said.
Il shall keep nv promise. sir. provided
you are faithful, aough the laws call loudly
for your punshnht, and even now you are
IN my powei insure your faithfulness,
you must renainat present under guard 1
Saying wheh, e rang a silver bell by his
side. and iss1d akerbal order to the atten-
dant who auwertl it. Immediately after,
the officer of he watch entered, and Marti
was placed II confinement, with orders to
render him c6fortble until he was sent for.