The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-16


ness was only broken by the dull chop of the
machete or the monotonous no.e of some
lonely bird We had penetrated
THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS DE JIauAN1,
and the sense of loneliness was absolutely on.
pressive. In the heart Of these awful soli-
tudes the government OF Cuba Lbre has
chosen its temporary abode, for reasons of
policy and safety. After passing through Q
succession of mountain passes, sometimes pre-
senting continuous ascent for miles over
frightful rocks, bleached and covered by time,
that look like the heaped up bones of the
giants of q time when ordinary men were Of
Titanic stature, we arrived on
THE BANKS OF THE RIO AzuL,
through whose crystal waters can be counted
the pebbles on the sand beneath. Rock and
wood blend delightfully."- in the composition Of
scene which combines the picturesquely
savage with the softer sylvan beauties. At in-
tereals the placid current Of the transparent
stream is broken by huge boulders rising out
Of the bed>of the river. forming irregular bar
riers, that seem to mediate stopping the
flow of the water; but few yards further
the river moves on In peaceful gram
deur rejecting on its >Qnrufiled surface
the majestic trees and banks Continu-
ing our journey we passed through
FOREST WET, SAD AND aLooMY
strewn with dead and dying leaves, that ~
duce sentiment Of depression and sadne1
on the mind, recalling too forcibly the
withered hopes and shattered fortunes of the
many thousands Of gallant hearts that an
swered to the cry of freedom sent up at Yara
some four years ago.
LIKE THESE LEAVES t
have persisted thousands, and suffering and
disease have already stamped with the seal Of
death hearts that were the light and hope OF
happy homes. These reflections were for
tunately brought to sudden close by the
HARSH CHALLENGE OF A NEGRO sENTMn,
posted OF some distance in the wood He
declined to take the word of the advance
guard as sufficient assurance that they were
Cubans and good patriots, and ordered the
commander to advance. Colonel Ramirez
was at once recognized, and. with the commis-
sioner of the HERALD, allowed to proceed to
the camp, where President Cespedes and
members Of his Cabinet had their headquar.
tiers. The appearance of
THE RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT
was certainly far from impressive for the
strictly material mind. A narrow path
through the forest led to small clearing in
the woods, in which were situated some
twenty huts, constructed of pescas de n'Gndcd.
The ground, covered with stumps of trees,
and with scant foliage, rising on either side
of very small rivulet running through the
centre of the encampment, increased the mel
ancholy look of the place. On the further
side of the little rivulet group of young
officers were waiting to receive me, among
them
THE SON OF TIE PRESIDENT,
Colonel Cespedes. As soon as the presenta-
ton of these gentlemen was over was in
formed they were sent to conduct me to tn
presence Of the President.
THE PRESIDENTS PALACE
| followed them some distance to q hut q
little larger and somewhat more commodious
than it's neighbors, but the difference could
not excite discomfort in the most envious
mind. The most enthusiastic socialist and
leveller would not desire more modest presi-
Dental mansion.
PRESIDENT cEsPEDEs.
On entering, a small, well-built man, rather
stout of body and below the middle height,
rose to receive me. One Of the officers
said:-
s"THIS Is THE PRESIDENT"
And at the same time President Cespedes,
advancing with hand extended said very dis
tinctly in English
II am very glad to see you
I was frightfully tempted to try little stage
effect and leave mot for posterity. In fact
like other people in similar circumstances,
had arranged in my own mind, while toiling
over those sharp, internally pointed rocks, .
very magnificent phrase; but at the last mo-
ment either my moral courage failed or
MY NATIONAL MoDEsrY ovERcAME ME-
I said nothing worthy of posterity but
simply expressed my satisfaction at seeing
President Cespedes well, and thanked him for
the cordial reception he was pleased to extend
to me.
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE
President Cespedes is a small man with
good deal of iron in his composition, stands
remarkably erect and is nervous in action
and in temperament His features are small
with claim to regularity. The forehead,
high and well formed: the face oval and
q little worn by time and care; his eyes,
gray with o tinge Of brown, are bright
and penetrating. His mouth and the lower
part of his face are concealed by mustache
and beard Of iron gray, with few black hairs
interspersed. When he smiles he shows his
teeth, which are wonderfully preserved and Of
extreme whiteness
INTRODUCED TO THE STAFF.
As soon as the first exchange of courtesiee