The New York herald., 1873-06-16

direction OF Jiguan town. on the right, ana on the
left into system OF high mountains and deep
ravnes, whose sun-lit faces and shady sides were
here and there SCARED and 1urrowed by the
increasing clearIngs OF the numerous Cuban fami-
lies who had sought refuge In these fastnesses.
These people were
MAKING THE WILDERNESS RLoON
with rich crops in places where the Spanish SOL
diery never set foot; places whose approaches and
outlets were only known TO the OF Cuba Libre
but whose rapidly increasing refuge and resources
would enable the patriots to maintain unfurled the
banner OF Cuban autonomy.
THE sINEws OF TIE WAR.
APRIL s.-we reached the headquarters Of Colonel
Benjamin Ramirez, commanding the subdstrict
or South Jiguapl This oficer is intelligent and
energetic. He hes been two years In the clearing
Tor tstancial where We found him. He has caused
his men and the many families living in his
district to cultivate elearings as ne has
done. They have cheeriuIiy followed his good
example. The result fs that the mountain sides
are fertile 10 the very toys and blooming with
nourishng crops Of sweet potatoes, yuca, corn and
tobacco, and families formerly starving, whom the
vengeance OF valmaseda drove into these at fret
desert places are now In position to not only
help themselves, but lend some aid to their fel-
low patriots in the field. This system OF cultiva-
ton receives the protection OF the Cuban govern
ment, and is gradually extending itself into the
other districts where It s practicable. When IN
addition to this means of support it s considered
that the Cuban forces endeavor to live as
much as possible by foraging from their enemies,
1t win be readily understood how they have been
able to keep the field for nearly Eve years. and why
their means OF attack and chances OF success are
EVERY DAY BErrERINa.
Ramirez has established powder factory. He
showed me some OF the grains. It certainly was
No nj ho Hvo hut IN
in case OF emergency. For this purpose he had
lot OF men engaged in extracting .saltpetre from
guano, found in large quantities in the caves Of
certain localities. 1t this Olcer who escorted
Mr. OKelly from the camp of Caxto Garcia to
near Arrayou where he met Cespedes. The next
day two leagues travel over terrible mountains
brought to the house Of Paenque, at the foot Of
the mountain known as the Giant, and said by
those who live nearby to be nextto Turquno, the
highest mountain in Cuba
APRIL love lett Palenques at six O'Clock A. M.
and soon reached the foot Of the Giant. Before
starting had q slim breakfast on
CHOCOLATE AND COLD ROASTED SWEET POTATOES
At nine O'Clock we reached the River Guisa.
Here we had rest and the guide went and found
some wild honey, upon which Jared sumptuously.
Passing around the feet Of the terrible Giant,
over his forest-covered legs, mp his rock-bound,
rugged sides, mounting his pine-cad chest wearily
with perspration and painting for breath, now
| struggling with hand and foot-fghtng the mon
| ster "tooth and nail" as 1t were-unt at last.
fanting with fatigue but triumphant with success,
we planted our aching feet upon
THE GIANTS PHOSPHATE HEAD.
Near the summit OF the Giant. through openings
| between the branches Of the tall trees, some Of
which looked like shrubs in the distant depths Of
| the abyss beneath our feet the several
of Dove OlU
| uani, Guisa and even Tunas, were pointed
| out in the great valley below that spread
out before like birds-eye view Of whole king.
| dom. 1t took us struggle Of five long hours to
| successfully wreste with this colossal mountain.
Even at the summit OF the Giant-an elevation that
cannot be less than six thousand feet-the charac-
ter OF the trees plants and shrubs seemed to differ
little from that Of the vegetation found in the
valleys below. And even almost high as the head
peak OF the Giant have been told that crops OF all
| kinds raised on the island could be cultivated.
| good way down the western side OF the Giant oh
served large clump Of pine trees, which had
rather expected to see at the top OF the mountain.
Both the ascent and descent are extremely difficult
| and toilsome. In the afternoon we reached the
| Guamd River and camped at rancho in secluded
| and picturesque spot on its eastern bank
| The next days march, from Cebolla Blanca to
Hormas, on the Guiana River, distance OF about
turesque than the journey Of the day before. Our
| line Of march lay down
THE BED OF THE GUIANA RIVER
over such rocky angles and boulder-blocked passes
| as only those who have seen California or the
| Rocky Mountains could imagine We had to leap
and spring over pointed rocks and slippery stones
| swing ourselves over deep chasms and leap swift
torrents, in Q fashion that would be no disgrace to
! an acrobat. Ny stout New York CATERS, although
/ ortoo thavv hn
the party-had protected my feet well along the
! road. This had been noticed by an envious young
| imp OF a negro soldier. who saw me slipping and
struggling over the abrupt rocks, when he showed
| his worries in broad grin, malicousy exclaiming,
an hal Sedor, aQ,ti los zapdtos no rd'en.'
SHOES ARE NO USE HERE, sIR.)
| But paid the wretch Off in the afternoon, for
| when he slipped rom mossy stone and pumped
| into the pool beyond, l exclaimed, "Ah hal mi
| amigo, los descalsos aQut no valen." (My friend
barefooted people are no use here) He good
na.uredly joined his companions in the laugh that
was against him.
| On the night before we had
THE HEART OF THE PALMTREE TOP FOR SUPPER.
| This morning little piece more OF it and drink
| OF water for breakfast About the middle OF the
day we came across sweet orange tree loaded
| with Its yellow, luscious fruit, nodding to the
breeze, that would have set crazy the caterer OF
Delmonico. In trice the fruit and the branches
bearing II were cut from the mother trunk and de-
voured with avidity.
| Arriving at Hormas there was no guide to take
us to Corajo, and there was prospect Of being
detained that account, perhaps, ten or fifteen
days. The next morning messenger was sent
back to Cebola Blanca to try and get guide
| there. On the way the important person sought
for was met and brought back to camp in triumph.
Ne gave us fresh news OF the whereabouts OF Ces-
pedes, saying that the President was
IN PARAGUAY, AND NOT IN YARAYAGUAs.
That did not matter much to us, both places being
in the sub-district of Zarzal, whittier we were
bound. The day after finding our new guide we
anal tiaa from Harm lascnnlnQ