Daily globe., 1882-07-16
THE CONDEMNED CUBAN.

IL
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 flag of the
struggling Cubans futtered 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 a 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
Boats were watching for him, and that
capture meant certain death by the gar
fote or rife.
"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 dozen men
and two Junior officers sprang to obey,
when to their ears came the deep boom
Of gun.
ALI paused, for what could it mean?
Certainly it 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
400 hves-perhaps many more-hung on
the answer to that appeal
"They are minute guns, and they are
calling for pilot" said Enrique Del
monte, a 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 a Spanish man-of-war that needs
them"
cit seems pity to see them wrecked,
even If they are our enemies. Hark |
How pleading are those guns p answered
the American.
Enemies though they be, they shall
not die, for I will save them |"
"You, Enrique Delmonte ?"
eyes, my Captain /; for, as you know,
my boyhood's home is near by, and
know these waters well. Will you put
he on board, for you are going to sea %
said the noble young Cuban.
cit is a fearful risk for you to run,
Delmonte; you are already under SEN
Hnce of death, and"
st will die in good cause. Come,
let us lose no time, from the sound of
those guns the vessel is drifting in rap
idly"
The American Captain offered no ar
gQment further, and the anchor was
raised, the sails, reefed down, were set,
apd the little yacht sped like a huge,
white bird away from its safe nest to
battle with the wild waters and winds
Beyond.
It took the united strength of the
Captain and Enrique Delmonte, who
acted as pilot, to hold the yacht on her
course, for the seas washed over her
decks In torrents, and she staggered
tearfully beneath the rude shocks Of
the waves. =
at length the channel was safely
passed through, and the open waters
reached, when, not half q mile away,
came the vivid red fash of q gun, and
the deep boom rolled across the waters.
"It is a large vessel, and evidently q
steamer, from the light rig the guns
dash showed, !" said the Captain.
81 know that vessel well, Captain I;
tor three years of my service in the Span
ish navy was passed on her deck, and I
would rather lose my life than see her
60 down." ~ .17 sg-;.-ee t,s
Enrique Delmonte spoke with great
earnestness, and the American felt that
he had some deep cause for wishing to
save the vessel. He knew that his father
was Spaniard and his mother q Cuban,
and that he had been reared in the navy
of Spain, which he had left to serve his
j native land. u sa- sea-
Shaping their course so as to head the
drifting vessel of, lantern was shown
to tell of coming succor. and the cheer
that broke from the crew at sight of it
was heard on board the yacht.
Delmonte, again / must remind you
OF the risk you rum" said the Captain.
81 know all, and I will take my
chances; as soon as board the Ala
manda you had better stand seaward, so
as not to be in this neigRborhood at day
light"
"And you, Delmonte p
"Oh will run the vessel into the
harbor we left, and then go ashore and
hasten on after Ryan, for I can overtake
him, and when you again come to the
island will join you unless I can do
more good ashore but here we are, and
I will hail."
In a ringing voice, and In Spanish,
Enrique Delmonte hailed the large yes
sci, which was now plainly seen to be a
large steamer and war vessel, whose
Light sails would not work her off shore.
Ho, the Alamanda!"
LAY, ay, are you pilot 2" came the
answer from the vessel of war.
"Yes I will run under your lee and
come on board"