Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-06-17

accordingly sailed that afternoon for Cuba. We
had crossed the Great Bahama Banks, and passed
the Double Head Shot Light, when Captain Oakley
came aft and said large steamer was bearing
down on us to the southwark and westward, and
that possibly it might be Federal cruiser Long
and anxiousy did we peer at that stately stranger
through the ships glasses, wondering and wonder
ing in vain as to her character and intentions Ii
was one of those beautiful October days. in which
it is hard to be unhappy about anything but fan
cied that Mr.. SGdell worried himself at the ap-
preaching spectacle until he saw ghosty ef6gies in
the air. Mr. Mason, on the contrary, was as calm
as summer morning, and puffed at his old Pow
haitian clay pipe, with its Virginia reed stem, as
Indifferent as fhe had not an enemy on this mum
dane footstool. Our speed had been purposey
slackened to make out, if possible, the designs Of
the strange ship, and in short time the captain
relieved our anxiety by announcing her to be a
Spaniard We then bore down upon the steamer,
spoke her, and found she was man-ofwar cruis-
ing for slavers A boat was lowered, and Mr. Sill
dell, who was familiar with the Spanish language,
went on board. The result of this interview was,
that the Spanish Captain offered his figate as an
escort into Cardenas, on the Island of Cuba, and
there we shortly arrived Having no bill of health
or vouchers from the Consul in Charleston, we
were temporarily thrown into quarantine; but that
night, with his usual adroitness, Captain Oakley
smuggled the ladies ashore in small boat, and
they exchanged the pent up Utica of shipboard
for the comfortable parlors of one of the island
hotels. We obtained permission to land on the
following afternoon, and the Commissioners, with
their suite, at once proceeded by rail to Havana,
whittier the 'Theodora' was ordered by Mr. Sh'
dell, as soon as she took in COAL For my own part
I preferred to remain with the ship, and | am
now glad that I did so, for the welcome received
at Havana the cheering crowds upon the quay
the friends we met and made; the dinings in and
dinings out the presentation of flags and gifts
in short, the princely hospitality with which the
sympathetic Cubans thought to bahish the thought
of war and deprivation, all created mooring spot
in memory where it is pleasant, now and then, to
drop anchor and-Reaeet.
Here we badc farewell to the "Theodora' and
her noble captain. My errand carried me to Eng,
land, and, with the commissioners, only awaited
the first steamer. Meanwhile dispatched my cf
fetal business with Colonel Helm, our Consular
Agent, and in accordance with instructions blocked
out plans for the future.
We left Havana on the 7th of November, in the
British mail steamer Trent" under command Of
Captain Moir At noon Of the next day, while
gliding through the narrow passage of the old Ba.
hama Channel, opposite the Panador Grande Light,
a vessel was observed ahead, apparently waiting,
and showing colors The surroundings looked sus-
picious, and for the first time on the trip began
to incubate imaginary evils until they hatched out
whole brood of miseries. The nearer we ap.
preached the mysterious steamer the more distinct
ly did we discern trouble at hand. A few minutes
later we heard drums ominously beating to quar-
ters then the stars and stripes slowly ran to the
masthead, and, with the aid Of a glass, we saw
through the open ports the ugly mouths Of q whole
broadsde of guns bearing upon US. Directly shot
was fired across our bow, followed by SHE'LL Both
commissioners were on deck, and rightly OWNED
the purpose of the interruption; both were self
possessed, but thought I discovered the label Of
the grander manhood written across the naughty
and almost disdainful brow of the Virgnian. .
I had met his brother at the first battle of Ma
nassas-a plain man, in citizen dress, unattached
to any command-with his hunting rifle fighting
like hero everywhere, anywhere that bullet
could do its work. knew that the hot blood which
could carry gentleman from his library to the
battle field, ran in fraternal veins, and that true
courage was not wanting in the distinguished am
bassador who trod that British deck
When within speaking distance, Captain Mor
hailed the American, and inquired what was want
ed The reply was I'VE will send boat" Both
vessels were then stationed with steam shut off.
boat very soon left the ship, followed Immediate
lly by two others with full crews and side-arms.
Lieutenant Fairfax then boarded the Trent, and
announced himself to the captain as an officer Of
the United States steamer San Jacinto, Captain
Wilkes, stating in the presence Of most ofthe pas.
sengers assembled upon the upper deck, that he
was ordered to demand his passenger list Like a
true John Bull our captain stood up for his rights,
and not only refused to obey the demand, but he
formally protested against any attempt to visit
his ship for the purpose indicated. Both Messrs.
Mason and Slidell were now recognized, and re-
uuested to go on board the San Jacinto, but both
agreed that they would only yield to force; MIR.
Slidell observing that it would require a con.
siderable amount Of it to take him on board O
United States vessel Messrs. Eustis and McFar
land united in expressing like purpose Matters
began to look very squally, especially when squad
of marines with muskets and bayonets clambered
up the sides of the steamers and took their station
at both gangways. Meanwhile, the commissioners,
after consultation, retired to their respective state
rooms. The lieutenant then said to Mr.. Mason
that having his force now present he hoped to be
relieved of the necessity calling it into actual use
The Virginian again answered like hero: cap
ply your force, sir, will not yield" Several Of
the men, by order, now seized Mr.. Mason in man