The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-07

again seen by me. Fortunately the right ROAD was
that followed, and was soon on side street tnat
presently led to principal one from whicn could
be seen the volunteers barracks, situated on the
east side Of the plaza. l passed TINS puuding,
crossed the plaza and made for the store OF Mr.
Frederick Roca, who few months before was
United States Consul for this port. It was just
about six O'Clock. Even at this carly hour the
store was open. went in ana inquired for the
Consul, and was informed that
RoCA WAS DEAD
and Mr.. Lanton appointed In his place. AS the
young men in the store evidently knew me and
were wondering at my singular appearance, the
premises were evacuated by me on the instant,
and my footsteps turned in the direction OF Lam
toms place. BY little judicious maneuvring the
house was reached without challenging any par
ticular attention. The doors were yet closed, but
l sought a sanctuary in the upper story of the
house, where another family live. l was at last
within the shadow OF
THE STARS AND STRIPES
and thought myself comparatively safe. Presently
the doors 0fthe Consular office were opened, and
sat down to await the arrival OF Lanton. A little
after seven O'Clock Mr.. Lanton was in the ONCE.
He had already been told that some strange-ook-
ing American was awaiting him. IannOunced my
self as an American citizen, showed my passport
and the Spanish cedula given me in Havana. lie
examined the documents lesurely, saying that
they were the only proof he had Of an applicants
right to Consular protection. When informed that
l had just entered the town
FROM THE NsURGENT LINES
and intended to surrender myself to the Governor
OF the town he readily agreed to go with me, and
evnced warm desire to do what was possible for
my safety and comfort.
WAS HUNGRY.
so x ar
in these words. tine bowl OF coffee and plenti-
full supply of bread and butter to which did ample
justice, seemed to me the most delicious meal In
the world. The hour had arrived for me to
see the Governor. That meant to go straight to
military prison. Heaven knows when to emerge
from it. Upon arrival
AT THE GOVERNORS HOUSE
the Consul and were Immediately ushered into
his dread presence. polite salutation all round
and an invitation to be seated followed Mr.. Lam
ton, with my passport ana Ced,tid In his hand,
planned that was an American citizen, VINO mad
presented in the Consulate my papers In due form,
and that was anxious to proceed to Havana with
out delay. The Governor examined the ce1utd and
found that it had not been noted by any Spanish
authority since passing through the hands OF Gen.
eral Benegassi in Holguin on the Gath OF January
last. 1t was then the 18th OF May.
GLOW is ths,n asked the Governor 'swhere
have you been all the time since this paper was
last noted ?"
My reply was that had been In the insurgent
camp and had Just returned that morning. stating
also the fact OF being special correspondent Of the
NEW YORK HERALD. The Governor gave visible
start, but, quickly recovering himself and bowling
rather stifiy when concluded, he turned to the
Consul and said:-
THE FIAT OF THE DON.
q n. TOD for mi, to-
on his journey. He is for the present and until
further orders detained a prisoner
This was, OF course expected, so that the launch
ing Of the nat caused no surprise. Here Lanton
generously proposed that might remain under ar
rest in the Consulate, and that he would be re.
sponsble for my appearance when called for. The
Governor thought this proposition not acceptable,
and said that l must go to Fort Corona.
Aere the Commandant of that stronghold
made his advent on the scene, and
was very tremendously introduced to my future
keeper. The Governor having granted me per-
mission to telegraph 70 my friends Immediately
despatched messages to the HERALD, to Consul
General Torbert, Consul Young and some friends
in New York. Inow took leave of the Governor
and OF Mr.. Lanton and accompanied the Com
mandant or Fort Corona to partake of his
UNSOLICITED HOSPITALITY.
That bright May morning was pleasant Every
thing looked fresh and green. Nature seemed to
rejoice In the renewal OF Spring. My soul was in
harmony with the surrounding scene; but the
thought OF tomorrow doubtful and dark. The
little hill on the northern outskirts OF Manzanilo
that is crowned by Fort Corona, was soon topped
the narrow unsteady drawbridge crossed, the
sally port passed and the square space forming the
interior body OF the work reached. over the doors
OF the different rooms my eyes caught the words
s'COrndnddncid de ArtiuerId,'' "COsnd,n "ESc,t-
sddon "Depositon and
"CALABoso,n
and to this last named habitation, the common
black hole, l was blandy introduced. The Com
mandant placed himself at my service, telling me
to give him my orders in whatever l pleased. To
those unacquainted with the extravagant flights
OF Spanish poiiteness this might have seemed like
heartless irony, unnecessary adding OF insult
to injury. took the OFFER for what it was worth
thin air, words that meant nothing.
QUESTION OF DOCUMENTS.
l expected to be thoroughly searched for papers
or documents. Ample preparations for that dis
agreeable process had been made by me days be-
fore. My notes, letters from President Cespedes
and other papers were already on their way by
the underground railroad. They reached Man
zanilo by secure hands other than mine. BY the
same means my papers were safely conveyed here,
and they will not reach my possession until shall
have sailed at least the conventional marine
league out at sea, beyond the limits OF Spanish
waters. Let the Dons divine how the thing was
done. To their credit be it said, however,
search was made or my person, was ever
asked for papers,
THE HERALD CELL
Leaving me, the Commandant politely bowed
himself out, and / was alone with my thoughts in
a room about twenty feet long by ten feet wide,
with rough, broken, tiled moor. In the rear Of
the cell was placed large window without glass,
high from the ground. and closed by row Of stout
iron bars. The door looking into the interior OF
the fortress was terribly strong doubly locked
bolted and barred on the outside, with barred
space IN the upper half extending across its whole
breadth. This space was Just high enough for me
TO converse with the sentinel outside by sticking