The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-26
A ROMANCE IN CUBA.
How the Sweetheart ofa Spanish Fortress
Commander Relieved His Garrison.
Nashville American. !

II am Cuban and I love Cuba, yet
the extreme heat of some months each
wear is unbearable. You remember the
entrance to Havana harbor is guarded
by Moro castle. The garrison num-
bers about 200 men. Three years ago
last June the temperature rose beyond
all previous records and the suffering
was intense. The authorities were
dreading the possible invasion Of Cuba's
deadliest scourge-yellow fever. News
came to the city of the breaking out Of
the fever at the castle. Immediately
steps were taken for the complete isola-
ton of the fort. No boats were allowed
to venture the casting of their lot with
the garrison.
''rhe heat waxed in intensity as the
days went by. Long had the distress
signal waved. from the fort flagstaff.
The inmates were known to be dying
by the score and in need of medicine and
supplies of all kinds yet in all Havana
not one heart seemed brave enough to
make the venture Of relief, which so
surely seemed certain death: Each
morning crowds gathered on the piers
and gazed sorrowfully across the waters
to the fatal island. AT sunset each day,
we watched the gates open and funeral
corteges wind their way down the hill
to the little garrison cemetery we lis
tened for the volleys of salute, their
number denoting how many brave fel-
lows had succumbed that day.
Zone morning the climax appeared
to he be reached. The suns rays fairly
penetrated ones clothing and scorched
the skin beneath. No air was stirring,
and the water looked like hot and bur
nished steel. All Havana was gathered
near the shore watching the fatal spot
where fellow human beings were brave
ly dying yet gave no sign. AS we
alphabetically gazed across the water for
the first time in three long weeks a
boat shot forth from the pier of Havana.
It was loaded to the gunwaies with
provisions and medicines, and none in
that crowd needed to be told its destina-
ton. Our eye then sought the guider of
the little craft, and, to our horror, saw
the sole occupant was woman.
'sMany blush burned red on heated
cheeks that moment. Then a univer-
sal shout of protest came-too late.
Our coward hearts, shamed by that
breve woman's fearless act, awakened
us to offer as volunteers. She paused an
instant from her rowing and sileIced
our murmurings with wave Of her
small hand. Il am alone she said a;
from all Havana not one regret will
follow me. IT'S better that I should go
than a life upon whose tenure hangs
the fate ofothers. Good-by.'
ave stood silent moment after the
clear voice ceased and then a mighty
roar of admiration and adieu went
forth. She bowed her head-we noticed
now how young and beautiful she was-
then silently bent the oars, and under
that blazing sun rowed straight into the
jaws of death. We strained our eyes
across the water watched her strokes
grow slower to the awful heat sapped
her very life and finally paused ex-
hausted beneath Castle Morro's walls.
Those faithful souls, brave and con-
slant to the last, refused admission,
though we could feel the hunger and
longing expressed in their long-suffer-
ing eyes. At length faint resistance
ceased-they eagerly came down to the
welcome boat-fairly lifted their angel
of mercy on waiting shoulders, and,
followed by others bearing the medi-
cine to which many poor fellows will
owe their lives, are lost to our view
within the castle walls"
The Cuban paused. The air in the
little room seemed heavy and hot, so
thoroughly had we entered into the
spirit of the story. The senor's two
auditors felt the awful sufIcation his
brave senorita suffered. We asked if
that peerless sacrifice really culmina-
ted in her death.
"Well, there's not much more to tell.
The first effect we noted was the reduc-
ton in the number Of salutes over the
soldiers graves; then one blessed morn
ing when a breeze, all but cool, came
straight from your northland, the dis
tress signal was hauled down, and
again the royal flag of Spain foated
proudly from the battlements, denoting
all was well within.
''Instant!y the bay was dotted with
boats. We aocked to the castle and
exchanged congratulations with the
governor and his sadly decimated gar
rison. We learned that undoubtedly
not life would have been preserved
had it not been for the brave maiden's
timely succor. Now, there, gentlemen,
is an incident Of land Of heat"
"YeS, what became of the girl?" anx-
iouSly inquired the Long Islander.
"She is the happy wife Of the GOV
ernor of the castle, and the idol of all
Havana
Had Tried Two Other Girls.
tho JNochSnorfnn Critic I