The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-17
The Condemned Cuban.

1t was fearful night on the coast OF
Cuba, for tornado had swept along the
sea and shore with relentless fury, leav.
ing death and destruction in its merciless
path.
And yet, though sheltered by the for.
est-clad point of land jutting out from
the main, the 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
because at the peak the lone star flag OF
the struggling Cubans futtered in the
breeze, and sentence most severe rested
upon ali who served beneath its folds
The little vessel, once a New York
yacht, had run in to the Cuban coast
after dark, bearing arms, ammunition,
stores, and 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 General
Ryan, her American commander deter
mined to put to sea in the face of the
storm, for he knew that Spanish gun
boats were watching for him, and that
capture meant certain death by the gar
rote or rifle.
''Stand ready all to make sail. The
storm will be more merciful than the
Spaniards," called out the yachts Cap
tain and the crew of half a dozen men
and two junior officers sprang to obey,
when to their ears came the deep boom
of gun.
All paused, for what could it mean?
Certainly il was not the roar of thun-
der, for its mutterings were heard far
away to landward.
Could another Cuban craft be running
in and the gun come from Spaniard in
chase?
No, it was the deep boom of heavy
gun, 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 one
hundred lives-perhaps many more
hung on the answer to that appeal.
They are minute guns, and they are
calling for pilot" said Enrique Del
monte, handsome young Cuban, who
was second in command of the yacht.
Twill any go to their aid?" asked the
American commander.
mo, they are Cuban pilots, and it
must be Spanish man-of- war that needs
them"
TT seems pity to see them wrecked,
even if they are our enemies. Hsrk
How pleading are those gunsr answered
the American.
Enemies though they be, they shall
not die, for will save them!
"You, Enrique Delmonte?"
Eyes, my Captain ; for, as you know
my boyhood's home is near by, and
know these waters we'll. Will you put
me on board. for you are going to sea 2
said the noble young Cuban.
''It is a fearful risk for you to run
Delmonte; you are already under sen
tence of death, and"
II will die III a good cause. Come
let us lose no time. from the sound O
those guns the vessel is drifting in rap
idly"
The American Captain offered no ar
gument further, and the anchor wa
raised, the SALES, reefed down, were set
and the little yacht sped like q huge
white bird away from its safe nest I,
battle with the wild waters and wind
beyond.
It took the united strength of the Can
tain and Enrique Delmonte, who acte,
~ pilot, to hold the yacht on her course
for the seas washed over her decks il
torrents, and she staggered fearfully be
meath the rude shocks Of the vsves.
At length the channel was saiel
passed through, and the open water
reached, when, not half mile away
came the vivid red Aash Of gun, IN
the deep boom rolled across the wsAerI
ut il large vessel, and evidently