The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-04-12

never would. He next took up his abode a
a deserted fisherman's hut near the MAI
rows, near Staten Island, his two compan
ions accomp anying him. Here the part
stayed two weeks. While here he crosse'
the channel one night and slept in Brook
Ign. How he escaped the vigilance Of TIN
detectives on his track is a miracle. Durin!
his stay on Staten Island light and fas
sailing little schooner was fitted out ant
manned by himself and two companions
with negro boy. He started at last from
| the pier in front of the fort in rowboat ii
the night, and slipped away upon pleasant
breeze. In due course and without any
thing noticeable they reached the lagoons on
the, coast of Florida. At one of the light
house stations they madea definite stoppage
again, Tweed taking board with the keeper
Of the lighthouse as John Secor, an invalid
| gentleman seeking restoration OF health
and the recreations Of fishing and hunting.
| ON THE FLORIDA COAST.
Here, too, he parted with his guides from
New York, closing his contract with them at
that place. His new quarters stood out in
the surf, upon long and irregular strip OF
sandy SEA beach, outside of bright and
limpid lagoon between this beach and the
main land, the lagoon averaging about half
mile in width. Here, in this lonely shell
ter, he took q melancholy and meditative
rest. He experienced for the first time in
years feeling of perfect peace and safety,
which began to fascinate him. Communica-
tion was easily had with the main land, and
facilities of mails and even the ipdispensa-
BILE newspaper were within easy reach.
Tweed was here joined by Hunt, who was
practical hunter and guide. His chief re-
source of profit was to pilot pleasure parties,
who seek Florida during the winter months.
Hunt led Tweed into the interior, where
| they remained hunting and fishing until the
climate became too hot, when he proceeded
to the neighborhood Of st. Augustine. Here
he deliberately planned a new sphere and a
new life of usefulness, if not of repentance
| and reparation. When he left this place in
| fishing smack for Cuba he had completed
definite set of plans, to be carried out on
his arrival in Spain. Some forty miles sail
brought Tweed and his companion to the
coast of Cuba, some ten miles outside the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The fisherman
who brought them from the American coast
did not dare to confront the Spanish officials
| with freight which he strongly suspected
was contraband.
ARRIVAL AT CUBA.
1t was a bright moonlight night as they
| made point chosen for landing. Tweed
had already become habituated to the by
| ways frequented by his guides, and even
when he might have taken one Of the regu-
lar steamers plying among the West India
ports he quite naturally continued his course
as he started, keeping himself away from
the regular channels in which he might be
inconveniently recognized. There was no
kind of habitation within sight, and the
hour, Notwithstanding the moonlight, pre-
Guided a search. Hunt wrapped himself in
| the blanket and was soon asleep on the rock,
ing out had been their custom for several
| months, avoiding towns and settlements !;
they finally came within sight Of fisher
mans hut on the bay. They engaged a fish
erman to take them to Santiago de Cuba,
and on their arrival there they were met by
a Custom House officer, who demanded their
passports. Not being able to comply, they
were arrested and placed on board the Span
| ish man-of-war Cherucca. This was on the
18th of June, 1876, and he was released on
| the 23rd. The change and arrival of new
Captain General at Havana had caused both
SUSPICION AND DELAY
in their case. The Cuban patriots were
manifesting much activity, and all Ameri-
can arrivals were strictly watched. Then a
variety of rumors had started up about the
| two men arriving in this mysterious manner,
which, although subjecting them to a strict
surveillance, secured them nevertheless a
| by the officers of the Spanish man-of-war.
| The diary contains the names of these off
GERS in detail, and indicates a familiar and
kindly intercourse with the Captain OF the
port until Mr.. Alfred N. Young, of Cincin-
natl, the American Consul, procured their
release on parole by becoming bondsman
for them. There were accordingly able to
take up their quarters at the principal hotel,
kept Ill the name Of Adeli Lascelles, where
they occupied two comfortable rooms until
| their case should be passed upon at Havana.
| The routine here was merely one of delay.
| Tweed notes his walks, his rides in the vo
lante, the streets and public places, the
churches and buildings, the holidays and
their negro professions and carnivals.
SOCIAL RELATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS.
Ills social contact through the American,
French and EAglish Consul's residences
with the local society seems to have been
free and cordial, with dinners, picnics and
excursions around the city. The Both OF
June Consul General Halls telegraphs a re-
ply to Mr.. Young, the Consul at Santiago:
''The case Of Secor and Hunt will be attend
ed to as soon as the papers arrive" A cou-
| pie of Captains of American merchant YES
sells, also delayed for Custom House infrac-
tions, made his companions at the hotel and
afforded him sympathetic concert in male
dictions against Spanish embargoes. On
the I'd of July the telegraph announced the
nominations at st. Louis of Tilden and Hen
bricks, of which ticket his ant;cipations were
not altogether cheerful. His attention was
recalled by the French CONSUL to one OF
his previous schemes by an examination OF
some pictures of Rio Janeiro, where this
gentleman had formerly acted as Consul.
Tweed had originally contemplated making
Brazil his place of refuge, but the arrival OF
the Emperor Dom Pedro in the United
States made the idea unadyisable. The cen
tennial Of America, the 4th OF July, he duly
celebrated with the inevitable fireworks in
the evening from the balcony Of the Hote
Lascelles, the demonstration being highly
appreciated by cOncourse of the 'chattels,
mainly in state of nature and absolute in
dependence as to any apparel. On the 9TH
of July, having been detained month, he
concluded to settle down and make the best
of it by employing a teacher of Spanish and
utilizing his time in acquiring knowledge