The New York herald., 1873-12-29

bearing upon the issue at stake, the fearful dts
closures which they make WILL nevertheless, pos
sess sad interest and be none the less truthiui
on that account. Howbeit, 165 souls left Kings
ton JAM, In the steamer Virginius, on the 23d OF
October last, bound, according to advertisement,
to Port Limon. 1t seems that the vessel was In
wretched condition, and, after putting out 70 sea-
sprung aleak. Proceeding to Jerremle, small
HaytIan port for REPAIRS she subsed nenEy lenssss
at Port-au-Prince and Caymites. II was In the
afternoon OF the 3lst OF october, when resuming
her voyage, that she sighted Spanish war vessel
ana, perceiving that the latter was heading
directly towards her, doubtless with the object OF
capture, changed the course toward Jamaica, and
the chase began. From all accounts 1t was
spirited one, the Spaniard, however, gaining all
the time from two till six O'Clock, al which hour
the Virginius made
HER LAST GREAT EFFORT,
and for an hour or so continued to hold her way.
But the game w0s up, for the gaping cracks Just
closed the day preceding now began to open with
the strain, and q continuous stream OF water
poured into the forward hold. Five shots were
fired at the disabled craft, the last grazing the
smokeslack, and. finding escape unavailing she
hove to. The pursuing vessel proved to be the
Spanish gunboat Tornado. The virginius was
promptly boarded by two officers and about 80 men,
and when Captain Fry handed over his papers they
were crumpled in the hands OF the arrogant re-
cpient, whose first official act was to haul down
the American flag and hoist that Of Spain in its
place. Not the slightest effort at resistance was
made, and within the space OF so minutes all
hands, with the exception of Captain Fry. the en-
gineers and few others were securely bound and
transferred to the Tornado. And now ensued
scene which tends to place the capture
in somewhat different light to that already
represented by the officers Of the victorious craft
Before leaving the Virginius every person was
thoroughly searched and transported to the Tor
nado just as he presented himself. Many were
shoeless and hatess; all were beret OF any article
that could in the slightest degree contribute to
their comfort. The chief engineer Of the Tornado,
James Mockabee-an American, by the way-super-
intended the working OF the engines OF the Virgin
ius, and the two vessels headed for santiago.
HOW THE FLAG WAS HoNoRBD.
In order to relieve the monotony OF The passage
the American nag was spread upon the deck, and
occasionally, when the hilartty OF the Spanish OIL
GERS began to fiag their men cheerfully came for
ward and both tramped and spat upon It. which
operation becoming tedious they commenced TO
gut the ship. Trunks and boxes were burst
open and riaed, many Of them containing
large sums OF money, and it is SAID that
hard words accompanied the distribution Of the
spoil. Locks and bolts were wrenched of and the
staterooms pundered. Wine lockers were battered
down, and to wind up in the most honored style OF
all good pirates the rufans ended their midnight
labors in a Joyous carouse. From that day to this
not vestige OF any OF the stolen articles has been
seen nor have they been returned to the rightful
claimants for many of the prisoners afterwards
beneld their best clothing adorn the limbs OF the
licensed robbers. But this was not all On arriv-
ing at Santiago the following afternoon the larder
OF the Spanish gunboat was handsomely re-
penished from the virginius, and. what with
barrels OF beer liquors and cigars, the officers OF
the Tornado had all the elements for first rate
mutual admiration gathering.
BLooDHoUNDs ON THE TRACK.
AS when voracous wolves first cast eager eyes
upon their prey and howl in anticipation OF a COM
ing feast, so did the fends of Santiago, maddened
with delight at the approaching carnival of blood,
shout with wild and unrestrained glee. II the de-
scriptions given be at all truthful, Santiago was
beside itself on the night OF the 1st OF November
last. From end to end the city was illumined with
brilliant lights. Bands OF music marched to and
fro in 'delirious triumph; friend embraced friend
upon the street, almost, 1t seems, unable to
utter the sentiments Of his black and treacherous
heart, while hireling volunteers were abroad the
nyelong night, believing like demons at their
masters bidding even soon have plenty Of Amer
lean steakn was, am told, among the inhuman
watchwords OF that night OF revelry. Woe bet1de
the symathizer His life was in his very looks;
word for justice and fair play and he was num-
bered among the dead. 1t was, indeed, q jubilee
never to be forgotten. Had Fry and his compan-
ions Just then been put ashore there would have
been little need OF the mock trial to legaze, as 1t
were, the frightful carnage which ensued.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Two courts were constituted. one for the disposi-
ton OF the crew and the other for those claiming
to be passengers on the captured vessel. or the
trial of Ryan, Cespedes, Del Sol and Varona nothing
is known. In vain did they appeal for outside aid.
Thrice was American Consul Schmitt browbeaten,
insulted and repulsed. Burriel Tor whom the
vocabulary fails to furnish qualifying epithet-
Burriel who approved the deed on his own respon-
sibnity-was deaf to everything that fair play or
humanity or reason could dictate, and when, on
the morning OF the 4th OF November, the process
sion marched past che Consulate guard OF
soldiers was placed in front OF it, lest by any
chance the interference Of the Official therein
might avail. How the victims met their fate
/ have previously endeavored to describe. But,
il the proceedings which marked the trial OF the
socalled leaders are destined to remain mystery,
we have at least some insight into the manner In
which poor Fry and his companions were hurried
into eternity. AL the prisoners were taken simply
before this self constituted Court OF Marine, as it
was called, and asked simply whether there were
any arms or ammunition on board the yirgnius. 1t
Will be seen by the subjoined statements that
nearly all OF them replied in the negative. They
were then removed TO their cells, but subsequently
recalled, the question the second time being
whether they had anything to say in their defence.
In some instances documents were placed
before the accused setting forth that the vir.
ginius was privateer and that she carried i'm
plements OF war to aid the Cuban insurgents.
These they were at first requested TO sign,
LIFE 2sS LIBERTY AND MONEY
being held out as induce~ents. refusal on the
part OF the prisoners to do 50 a once The i'll
concealed wrath OF the officials, who, nndihg ther
plans Of bribery unavaiiing, threatened their Vie
tins with instant death-the officers, In some in.
stances. drawing their swords and pointing them