Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-01-15
TIE CONDEMNED CUBAN.

1t was fearful night on the coast oi
Cuba, for tornado had swept along the
sea and shore with relentless fury. leav-
ing death and destruction III its mercIless
path.
And yet, though sheltered by the for
est-clad point Of land jutting out from
the main, small vessel was getting
ready to leave the quiet inland waters
and put to sea.
The cause of thus daring death by the
commander of this little vessel was be-
cause at the peak the lone star iiag of the
struggling Cubans fluttered in the breeze
and sentence most severe rested upon all
who served beneath its folds.
The little vessel, once New York
yacht, had run in to the Cuban coast
after dark. bearing arms, ammunition.
stores, and Il few good men and true for
the patriot army of Cespedes in the
mountains.
Having safely delivered her cargo into
the charge Of the unfortunate Gen.
Ryan, her American commander deter
mined to put to sea in the face of the
storm, for he knew that Spanish gun
beats we're watching for him, and that
capture meant certain death by the gar
rote or rife.
"Stand ready all to make sail The
storm will be more merciiul than the
Spaniards, called out the yachts Cap
tain; and the crew of half a dozen men
and two junior officers spranS TO obey,
when to their ears came the deep boom
of gum.
All paused, for what could it mean?
Certainly it was not the roar of thun-
der, for its mutterings were heard lar
away to landward
Could another Cuban craft be running
in and the gun come from Soaniard in
chase?
No, it was the deep boom Of heavy
\ eun, and those on the yacht looked at
each other in awe as it was repeated, for
+ they knew that the braZen throat was
pleading piteously for help, and that
1O0lives- perhaps many more-hung on
the answer to that appeal.
They are minute guns, and they are
calling for q pilot" said Enrique Del
= monte, handsome young Cuban, who
was second in command of the yacht.
"Will any go to their aid ?! asked the
American commander.
No. they are Cuban pilots. and it
must be Spanish man-of-war that needs
Them"
"It seems . pity to see them wrecked,
even if they are our enemies. Hark
How pleading are those guns" answered
the American. :,
"Enemies though they be, they shall
not die. for will save themr
"You. Enrique Delmonter
eyes. nv Captain for, asyou know,
NV boyhocd's home is near by, and /
know these waRers well. viii you put
me on hoard, for you are going to Sea 2
said the noble young Cuban.
"It is a fearful risk for you to rur,
Delmonte you are already under SEN
tence of death, and
"I will die in a good cause. Come.
let MS lose no time. from the sound OF
those guns the vessel is drifting in rap
idly"
The American Captain offered no ar
oument further, and the anchor was
raisei. the sails, reefed down. were set.
and the little Yacht sped like a huge,
White bird away from its safe nest t
battle with the wild waters and winds
beyond.
II took the united strength of tht
CAPTAIN and Enrique Deimonte, VINO
acted as pilot, to hold the yacht on hel
course. for the seas washed over hel
lacks in torrents, and she staggered
- fearfully beneath the rude shocks O.
At length the channel was safely
nassed through, and the open waters
reached.. when, not half mile away
came the vivid red flash ofss gun, ant
the deep boom rolled across the waters
UIt is large vessel ant-rvidertly
n steamer. from the light rig the guns
Aasb showed" said the Captain:
"I know that vessel well, Captain
for three years of my service in the span
;sh navy was passed on her deck, and
would rather lose my hte than see hel
co down.