Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-04-22
4 Eelfrt sturg.
The CONDEMNED CUBAN.

OF Cuba, for tornado had swept 3
long the sea and shore with relentles
fury, leaving death and destructio,
in its merciless path.
And yet, though sheltered by tn
forest clad point of land jutting ou
from the mainland, a small vessel va
getting ready to leave the quiet in
land water. and put to sea.
The cause of thus daring death b
the commander of the vessel waa
cause at the peak the lone star flS
the struggling Cubans fluttered il
breeze, and sentence most sever
meath its folds. TGz
The little vessel, once New Yerl
yacht, had run into the Cuban coas
after dark, bearing arms, ammunition
stores, and few good men and tru,
for the patriot army Of Cespsdes il
the mountains. ~---
Having safely delivered her carg,
into the charge Of the unfortunate
General Ryan, her American com
mandsr determined to put to sea il
the face Of the storm, for he knew
that Spanish gunbosts were watch
ing for him, and that capture meant
certain death by the garrote or rife
"Stand steady all to make sail. Phs
storm will be more merciful than tn.
Spaniards,' called out the yachts cap.
tain; and the crew Of half dszeu
men and two junior officers sprang
TO obey, when to their ears came the
deep boom of gun.
All paused, for what could il mean
Certainly it was not the roar ol
thnnder, for its mutterings were heard
away to lsndward.
Could another Cuban craft be run.
ming IN and the gun come from n
SpanIsrd in chase:
No it was the deep boom of a heavy
gun, and those on the yacht looked =,
each other in awe As it VAS repeated,
for they knew that the brazsn throat
was pleading piteorsly for help. and
that hundred liye.-psrhsps many
more-hung An the answer to that
appeal
They are minute guns, and they
are calling for pilot" said Enrique
Delmonte, handsome Cuban who
WAS second IN command of the yacht,
will any go TO their aid:' asked
the American commander.
mo. they are Cuban pilots, and il
must be Spanish msn-of-Sar tha,
needs them"
at seems pity to see them wrecked
even If they are our enemies. Harkl
How pleading are those guns. >As~e-
cd the American.
Enemies though they be, they shs!I
not die, for | will save them"
"You, Enrique Dslmouts"
Yes, my Captain; for, rs you know
my boy hoods home is near by, and !
know these waters we'll. Will you
put me on board, for You are going
TO sea-: said the noble young Cuban.
1T is . fearful risk for you 10 run.
Delmonte; you are always under sen
tence of death, and
81 viii die in . good cause. Come.
let us lose no time. for from the sound
Of those guns, the vessel is drifting in
rapidly"
The American captain offered no
argument further, and the anchor
Was raised, the sails, rsefed down,
were set, and the little yacht sped
like . huge, Wild bird away from its
safe mes, TO battle with the wild
waters and winds beyond.
II took the united strength Of th.
Captain and Enrique Dslmonte, who
acted as . pilot, to hold the yscht on
her course, for the seas 1ashtt over
her decks in torrents, and shs stag
yered fearfully beneath she rade
shocks of the waves.
At length the channel was safel,
passed through, and the open water
reached, then, not half 3 nile away.
came the vivid red fash of . gun, and
the deep boom rolled across the
ut 10 . large vessel, and evidently =
steamer from the light rig the guns
lash showed" said the Captain.
81 know that vessel we'll, Captain; !;
for three year. of my service in the
Spanish Navy Was passed on the decks,
and | would rather lose my life than
see her go down"
Enrique D<lmonts spoke with great
and the American felt
that he had come deep cause for wish
ing to save the vessel. lie knew that
his father was Spanish and his
mother . Cuban, and that he had
been reared IN the Navy Of Spsin,
which he had left to serve his native
land.
Shaping their course SO as to head
the drifting vessel off, lantern was
shown to tell Of coming succor, and
the cheer that broke from the crew
1t sight of it, was heard on board the
yacht.
"Delmonte, again l must remind
you of the risk you rum" said the
captain.
II know all, and | will take nv
chances, as | board the Alamada, you
,ad better stand seward, SO As not
o be in tni, nsighborhood at daylight.
"And you, Delmonte?'
"Oh! | will run the vessel into the
harbor We left, and then go ashore
aad hasten on after Ryan, for | can
ovsrtake him, and when you again
come to the Island | will join you,
unless can do more good ashore;
but there we are and | will hail.
In ringing voice, and in Spanish,
Enrique Delnonts hailed the large
vessel, which was now plainly seen
to be large steamer and war vessel,
whose light sail would not work her
offshore.
"Ho the Alamada!"
GAY, ay, are you apilot?" cTns the
answer from the vessel Of war.