The New York herald., 1873-06-16
YORK HERALD MONDAY, JUNE 49, 1s73-TRIPLE SHEET.

palm. Groves OF cocoanut trees fruit trees OF the
most exquisite kinds as nisperos, manzana rosa,
caimita, guanavano, mango, juayava mamai, all In
plentiful pr0fusion. never before met a spot on
earth that so brought before my imagination the
fabled Paradise OF Moses as that tract OF country
lying between POtrero and Jicotea.
HARD TASK.
APRIL l3.-Left Jicotea to climb nve-mile noun
tain on an empty stomach, getting to Manaca, in
tine mountains, early. Here met General Marcus
Garcia and Colonel Juan B. Spoturns-both men,
bers Of the Cuban Congress and both from the
Cinco Villas district They were on their way to
the residence OF the Executive; but rs both were
suffering from ulcers Qlagasl in the legs or feet
they could only walk a short distance daily, and
had been month on the way from Garcia's camp
to this point. l had an interesting conversation
with both gentlemen, who say that the Spaniards
must evacuate the island or exterminate the peo-
pie, They both favor
THE DOCTRINE OF ANNExNa CUBA
to the United States. When we were approaching
the house OF the corporal in charge Of the post the
women mistOok us for Spanards and fed in fright
to the mountains, but, finally. being convinced OF
their error, came back. dned on broed rib OF
beef without salt, and chocolate; supped on the
same description OF meat, with honey instead Of
the chocolate Leaving here we were greatly dis
appointed to learn that the Cuban government
had left Yaragabua and gone to the sub-distrct OF
qua, fifteen or twenty leagues further south, in
Manzanillo. began to think the Cuban govern
mcnt
AN IGNIs FATuUs
that could never De caught. The next days march,
though short, was over o terribly trying piece OF
mountain. On the way we met the command OF
Captain Augustin Acosta, Of Calixto Garcia's
fOrcpa hia " rrou thn rofM
Diaz, whittier he had gone to escort the Executive
from Jiguani to Manzanillo. We climbed Devil
Mountain and
SAW THE LITTLE DEVIL HIMSELF,
el Dtdolito; but that is nothing, gentle reader.
have passed PurgatOry several times and have been
near Hell-el Irlferno-since coming to Cuba; SO
that can no longer doubt the existence Of these
two celebrated places The task that was left for
the following day lay over as mountainous, pre-
cipitous and broken road as any we had yet trav-
elled But 1t did not matter; the day after we
would be at our journeys end and that was balm
to oil our wounds or bruises, mental or physical.
We climbed early the Cerro Pelou de San Juan, or
BALD MOUNTAIN OF ST. JOHN.
From the top OF 1t the great savannas OF Mama.
milo lay to the west and north, and to the east and
south the imposing range of the Sierra Maestro,
with It's pine glades far beneath our feet. The
cheering light into many q chasm and
crevlce in the mountains side. gliding their
tops with glory peculiar to themselves. In our
front the wide savanna, level as book leaf, In
terspersed here and there with cumps of palm
trees, threads OF woodland and patches OF forest
In 'front.' too, over there-but jump-winds the
now historic Yara, it's limpid course between we'll
worn banks; while just beyond, the village Of the
same name, whose smoke see, is the spot
WHERE THE FIRST VICTIM WAS OFFERED
by the genius Of Cuba to the Goddess OF Liberty.
There, away to the horizon, close to the southern
shore Of Manzanillo lies the Ingenio Demajagua.
the home OF Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, where, on
the night or the 10th OF October 1868, lew select
patriots gathered to nng to the breeze the banner
or new nation and throw the gauntlet in the
lace OF the power and pride OF grand old
Spain. The sight was inexpressibly beautiful;
even as that which Satan showed to the Nazarene
when he placed the kingdoms Of the earth at His
feet saying, "A these things will give thee, il
thou wilt fall down and worship me.n We reached
Cataurito early enough to have resumed the march
after three O'Clock, but as there was no guide to
go on 1t became imperative to remain over.
APRIL 16.-From Cataurito to the camp of Mo-
desto Diaz, in Gua, where the President is, there
are about thirty miles which must be walked to-.
lday. The road lies through level country, all
heavily wooded on both sides 1t was travelled
between the hours OF half-past eight A. M. and
halfpast i've p. M.
CUBAN DISCIPLINE.
The Outp0sts OF Camp Bermeia were placed
about half mile from the advanced guard and
this, again, about three-quarters OF a mile from
the main body. Approaching the outpost, which
consisted OF couple OF hall nude yellow fellows,
unarmed, Of splendid physical condition and ap-
parent robust health, they challenged almost
before we could see them, but the corporal OF our
party responded promptly. After seeing that our
party was oil right, the road was opened to us.
Soon we came on picket OF the advanced guard.
Here we were received with exact military form
and ceremony, and file or soldiers sent back with
us to the body OF the advanced guard. where, in
the same style and manner, We were sent under
escort to the field onlcer OF the day. This was
very exact; it was right and l was glad to per-
ceive that the men were well acquainted with
the important forms OF guard duty. The field
oicer Of the day took 10 the hut OF the general
commanding.
MODESTO DIAZ
must be man OF tyeght sixty years. He Is tall
OF person and massive in frame; has well shaped
head, rather long than otherwise, iron gray hair,
and full flowing beard OF the same color, but OF
darker hue. His eyes are deep set, Of an agreeable
brown, with plenty Of light In them. He dressed
in suit OF unbleached drill, and had on an enor-
mously large Panama hat He looked like one Of
those big-hearted old sea dogs that one has occa-
sionally the luck Of coming across as captain OF
some gallant bark. He is a native OF the Island OF
st. Domingo took part in the second war Of
independence there and held the rank OF brigadier
in the Spanish service when the war broke out In
Cuba.
Upon learning who I was the General received
me very kindly, asking for my papers, which he
had read to him by q gentleman present who
understood English.
STILL THREE LEAGUES OFF.
] was told that the President was permanently
camped at place called the Maeno, three leagues
or and that l could go there tomorrow after
breakfast. This news was innnite balm to my
uneasy spirit; yet was so anxious and impatient
to consummate the one great object Of my mission
that sleep nearly forsook my weary eyes that night
even after having walked thirty miles under a