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

south and cast far below the feet or the spectator
gisten and simmer the bright blue waters OF the
ocean, stretching their silvery expanses to the
confines Of the distant horizon. To the west, the
lofty, tree-clad range OF the Cobre Mountains rises
its dizzy peaks in the ethereal blue OF the cloud
less sky. The flood OF enaigent tropical light that
bathes their rugged slopes shows the majestic
forms OF these giant sentnels OF the coast, in q
variety OF shape and shade, exquisitely grand and
beautiful To the north lie the silvery, smiling
waters OF the bay. with the handsome city of San
tago de Cuba, pleasantly situated on a rising
ground at its northern extremity. The vessels OF
many nations show their multiform ensigns from
tall, shipmast tops, and goodly line of noun
tains, crowned by the blockhouse forts OF the
Spanish troops, forms . meet background to the
picture.
We reached the Moro; and after the vexatious
delay OF being halted by an avanced sentinel, at
least two hundred yards from the glacis, we were
conducted to the quarters OF the Commandant,
Captain Martinez. l had known the gentleman
before eIe received US with courtesy and kind
ness, offering refreshments and instructing an
officer to at once accompany US to Mr.. OKelly's
cell.
THE PRISON.
The old drawbrige creaked and swung on its
rusty hinges we followed our guide over the
main ditch of the fortress through q low and deep
sally port cut through the ramparts and riveted
with masonry, into the body Of the place. past the
main guard, through couple of posterns and up
TO the irOn-studded and barred door Of casemate.
Having obtained the key, our guide applied it to
the stout, rusty lock. chill OF horror mashed
across my mind as thought OF the poor fellow
immured within and OF my own recent release
from similar dungeon. The heavy door swung
back and the next moment
THE FIRM, FRIENDLY GRASP OF o'KELLY's HAND
was in mine. Mutual greetings of mutually
pleasant nature were rapidly exchanged between
us, to the utter forgetfulness-at least on my
part-of the presence either of Consul Young or
the Spanish officer who accompanied us.
OKELLY's CELL.
The casemate in which Mr.. O'Kelly was confined
is about twenty feet long by fourteen feet wide.
The arched ceiling appeared to be about ten feet
high. strongly iron-barred, unglazed window
let in both light and air. This aperture In the mas
sive masonry is about two and half feet high by
twenty inches wide. The walls are whitewashed
and bare, the door dry and formed of q hard con-
g0merate of gravel and lime. Three chairs, includ
ing rocker, q canvas-bottomed cot bed
small table, with some books and writing
materials, formed the furniture Of this unique
establishment The prisoner was allowed two
not yet been out so that we came in good time to
accompany him round the ramparts. 1t ought to
be mentioned that he was allowed to board him
SELF AS OKely stood up to go out OF the cell he
Strengthened himself, passing his hand up his FORE
head and running his fingers through his hair.
noticed that he
LOOKED LITTLE PALER
and shade thinner than when last we met, but
the fire that burned in his eye and lighted up
his countenance as our animated conversation
progressed showed that long imprisonment and
many hardships had Deen unable to bend the spirit
Mr.. O'Kelly said that in the MORO he was much
better treated than in Fort Ger6na The officers
so far lay in their power, seemed to be attentive
and c0nsidcrate. But no progress was being made
with his trial.
GENERAL.
Dunlop, and Of the Vice Consul Ramsden, of Santi
ago de Cuba, was the principal cause OF his long
incarceration. Turning to me, O'Kelly emphati-
cally remarked
II look upon Dunlop and Ramsden as being my
real jailers."
He then proceeded to recount some OF the indig-
mites put upon him in Manzanlllo. In his own
dry, ironical way he amused us by painting the
hypocrisy and malicious cunning OF the man
Careres, the Alcalde OF Manzanilio He went over
in Fort Gerona-thc one that subsequently in
habited for couple OF dreary days. He recounted
the seepless nights passed with an armed sentry
by his bedside, who was relieved every half hour
with the samming of the cell door, the ringing
arms and the hoarsely whispered order to prick
him with the bayOnet-pfcdrle con la 0ayOnetd-if
he moved during the night He related the fact OF
having thrust into his cell at one time criminal,
and upon another occasion drunken man. The
latter became furious with intoxicated madness,
and it became necessary to have him bound and
placed in a separate cell,
FEARING he MIGHT HURT THE SENTINEL.
But no fears appear to have been entertained
that the defenceless prisoner might be grievously
injured. He vivid!y painted the incidents Of the
night when they removed him on ship board,
bound with file OF soldiers on either side, and
one following close behind holding the end of the
rope. Mr.. Hippisey, the Commander Of the British
war sloop Plover. had treated him kindly and
through his interference Mr.. O'Kelly had been
removed to better quarters in Fort Corona. He
believed that II Hippisley had the power and au-
thority to act that officer would have brought him
home at all hazards.
A FRYING PRELATE.
His Emlnence the Archbishop OF Santiago de
Cuba, accompanied by some other persons, went
to the MORO Castle to see Mr.. OKey.
.'But," said that gentleman, 'they did not come
to pay me friendly visit, sending their names so
that might know that the call was intended for
me; they stood at a distance and eyed me like
some natural curiosity that was a treat to behold,
80 decidedly and without remorse turned my back
on the Archbishop and his frendsn
Taking friendly leave of Mr. O'Kelly, it was
with the impression that we would not meet again
in the island.
BRITISH OPINION.
II il worthy OF record that in conversation, after
my release from prison. Commander hippisley re-
marked to Vice Consul Ramsden:-
british influence can do nothing here you and
l. Ramsden, had better take out our naturalization
papers and become American citizens.n
al think SO, too" assented Ramsden.
Upon another occasion the irreppressible and
irate hippisley remarked -