Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-06-16

zaS 01ber run OF elRnCcen days.
We were, Of course, boarded by the full
force Of Cuban officials-revenpe, military
and naval--and after a close scrutiny of our
papers and rigid search Of the bark was
allowed to go ashore to report to the con-
signees and center" the vessel
I had not thought it necessary to inform
the customs authorities Of the Cuban's trust,
as felt assured that could any time during
our stay in port deliver 1t to the address and
no one would be the wiser.
1t is true that the officers looked at me
very queerly when explained the absence
Of tho passenger whose name was on the
manifest, but as he had not been found on
board the vessel, they were obliged to accept
my story; stiIl noticed that my movements
were more closely watched than they had
ever before been; they even went SO far as to
place, beside the regular custom house officer,
soldier Of the army on board the vessel
This strict surveillance did not at all please
me, and I was now determined to deliver the
Jag to No. Is Plaza di POGO in spite Of all the
Spaniards on the island.
fully realized that is would be no easy
matter to get the bag cut Of the vessel with
out the officers detecting me, although it was
but small parcel.
I watched my chance, however, and one
day it came.
Several American captains, whose vessels
were in port, had made up a party to visit
the renowned Crystal cave, that lies upon
the eastern side Of the Bay Of Matanzas OF
course each one must carry some refresh
ments for themselves and their boats crew,
and hero saw an opportunity to smuggle the
bag ashore
Aha fr1A hnFD %ho 10
spoke to the officers over O glass Of brandy
which I put out for their special benefit, and
requested permission to take some eatables
ashore the next day.
They gave their consent without hesita-
ton, and at once called the steward to pack
up his "dog basket" with provisions and
drinkables, and purposely had him make q
display of doing this before the officials, as
wanted them to see everything that went
into the basket.
After it was full we left it on the cabin
table ready for the morning, as we were to
start by daylight.
Along the middle Of the night, when was
sure that everything was quiet, turned out,
and, securing the basket, hurried back to my
room, where removed some Of the food and
put the Cuban's bag in its stead and again
returned the basket to tho cabin table.
All the time could hear the footsteps Of
the officer who was on watch pacing the
deck overhead, but as there was no light in
tho cabin I had no fear of being detected.
In the morning everything worked as had
expect ed; I went over into the boat in which
were two of my men, and the steward handed
down the basket; waving an adieu to the Off
GERS we pulled away across the bay.
When well over to the eastern shore took
the bag out of the basket and changed the
course Of the boat so as to land on the out
skirts of the city.
Reaching the shore instructed my men to
pull for the cave where they would meet the
other captains and deliver the basket to them,
and say that "business had called me to town,
but would join them some time during the
day"
A few minutes later / was seated in a vo-
lante Cuban carriage) and was being driven
slowly "a Cuban team will never travel fast
in the direction of the Plaza di POGO.
Turning into the square, in the center Of
which were growing rare and beautiful
plants, observed several policemen and
Spanish soldiers lounging about, but as one
cannot take fifty steps in any Cuban city
without meeting ons or more OF these SER
wants Of the crown, paid but little attention
to their presence.
l, however, ordered the carriage 10 stop
several doors from tho house Of which was
In search, and, after dismissing the driver, I
proceeded on foot.
Number thirteen differed little from its
neighbors save an unusual air Of quiet by
which II seemed to be surrounded; 1t had the
same large iron gateway leading into the in
closed area peculiar to all Cuban houses; the
same long, barred, open windows, but, like
the majority, those were furnished with Close
blinds, which sffectually precluded the
passerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse
ofVhe interior Of the dwelling.
Approaching the gate raped loudly with
the ponderous knocker and my summons was
quickly answered by an old man who took in
my whole dimensions before dropping thu
fastenings Of the gate, and then not until !
bad repeated the name Of Roderiquez Coma
Len, Ii Plaza di POGO, several times
Finally, appearing satisfied that had @
right TO call, he opened the gate just far
enough for mo to squeeze in, and then, after
again securing the fAstenings, he led tho way
across paved court, in the center Of which
was playing Q miniature fountain, into .
large. cool room, and from thence into an
other which was quite dark, but as my eyes
became accustomed to the gloom could see
that it was chamber nicely furnished, and
upon couch in the middle Of the apartment
was the outline Of q recumbsnt form which
started up at our approach.
My guide spoke few words in Spanish
| and then retired, while the person upon the
couch arose and, throwing open one Of the
blinds, allowed a stream Of light to enter the
| apartment, and by its aid could see that I
was In the presence Of q fine looking gentle
man somewhat past the meridian Of life but
with tall figure still erect and with eyes
that flashed out brightly from beneath pair
Of gray brows.
Turning he addressed me in his native
tongue, only q few words Of which I could
understand, but by those few know he bade
me welcome and inquired the object of my
visit.
Ireplied in English, asking il had the
pleasure Of speaking to Senior Roderiquez
Gonzalez
~ am he" he returned in English, which
had but a slight accent. sin what can I
| sarva voN1n