Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-06-16
IMPRISONED IN CUBA.
PART I.
THE MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.

who possess such o horror OF police and
prisons, and regard with such veneration and
respect the law and its oftentimes mys-
terious workings as "thosc who go down to
the sea In ships" and although thoy often
find themselves "fouledn in Its lneshes, it 10
generally due to accident, or the machina-
tions Of some 'land shark" or perhaps, in
dealing with unprincipled people ''along
Shore" the sailor may be unwistfngly caught
In the net spread to ensnare him.
Although the mariner may be veritable
giant when upon the broad, trackless ocean,
he Ii Q mere child If placed among men who
have received their training upon terra
frma; and the simplicity of the sailor is
often the cause Of his being arraigned before
the bar Of justice.
It is very seldom that one will find sea-
man deliberately committing deed which
will lay himself liable to arrest, and when
such q case Is met with it will almost invari-
ably be found that the act was done to assist
Quences OF some misdeed.
A few years ago, shortly after the capture
Of Capt. Frye and crow Of the American
steamer virginius, and tho subsequent saecu-
tion Of 0 part Of the same by tbs Cuban
Spanish soldiers Of the beautiful tropic isle
OF Cuba, and my acquaiut.nce with them
eaEne very nsar putting an end to my voyage
Of hfs =. .,
Twas master Of trim little bark sailing
from Boston and engaged In the West India
trade.
One evening while tho vessel was lying at
q wharf in the latter port, where she was re-
ceiving cargo for Matanzas, I was sitting
upon the quarter rail enjoying an after sup
per smoke when I observed q young man Of
perhaps 25 years OF age coming down the
dock very leisurely.
A he got abreast Of where was seated he
stopped and with q very affable smile bade
me good evening" and then inquired il we
were not bound to the West Indies. Assur-
ing him that we were, he stepped aboard, re-
marking that he belonged in Cuba and was
looking for a vessel in which to take passage.
rather liked the appearance Of the
stranger, and seeing q chance to make few
dollars for my owners by taking passenger,
as we had plenty Of room in the cabin, /
offered to take him and we soon agreed upon
terms, the stranger promising to give me
dfty dollars In the morning for his passage
70 the island
The following day, while SLIPPING eoffss In
company with the mate, was surprised to
Gee our prospective passenger with 9 ma0
valise in hand hurrying down the wharf
There was NO one about, as the hour was
quite early.
He stepped quickly on board, and with che
utmost politaness bid me a very Good mora
Ing" After partaking Of q cup Of coi1ss
with US invited him below and showed hirA
the room he was to occupy during the paS
sage.
He was very well satisfied with the accom-
modations, and taking out we'll allied wallss
he paid me the price agreed upon, then and
there.
"This bag" he remarked, indicating the
small sAchel in his hand, contains some
articles Of value, and should be well pleased
II you would take care Of It for me until We
reach Matsnxas."
OF course I was perfectly willing to accom-
modate him, and took the bag; he then went
ashore, promising to be on board In the even
Ing. as we were going to sea the following
morning. a.t.
- When left alone I turned my attention 10
the bag, which was still In my hand; 1t was
small and nsat, and, judged. quite an sx-
pensive affair,
Turning it over observed an address
read: "Senor Roderiquex Gonzalez, Is Plaza d
POGO, Matansa, Cuba"
The Plaza di POGO knew quite well, as
had been nAny times 70 Mstanxas and had
roaned considerably about the city.
II was o pleasant little open square, sur
rounded by the homes Of the middle elass,
most Of whom were native born CubanA
However, I had not not much time to spend
with the bag, 90 I threw 1t into my bunk and
closed and locked the stateroom door before
going ashore.
A master Of vessel is always very busy
on the day before sailing, as there is sure 70
be great deal of business 70 attend to, and
my passenger never entered my mind but
once, and that was when went 70 'cleAr" at
the custom house.
Il was quite lats when returned 70 the
vessel. and on entering my room the presence
Of the bag reminded me Of the Cuban, 20 call
ing the mate inquired II the stranger bad
yet come aboard.
..No, air, I've seen nothing Of him. " vas the
o6icerS reply.
In the morning everything was bussling
and active. Tho crew were aboard and tho
eowhoat alongdde shortly afser daylight, but
soothing had yet bean seen OF our passenger.
The pilot and the captain Of the tug were
anxious to start, but was bound 10 wait un-
"a the last moment to give the young fellow
q chance.
+ Soon our overtaxed patience was rewarded
A hack dashed down the wharf and drew up
ct the vessels side.
u was not the Cuban who slighted, how
ever, but q telegraph boy wasing dispatch
in his hand and calling for Capt Graham,
bark Rambler"
"Here, boy, hereI' cried, Jumping into
the mixzen channels to reach the message,
which quickly tore open and read:
Capt Graham, bark Rambler. Constitution
wharf, Boston.
Through unforeseen circumstances 1t viii
b. impossible for me TO make the passage
with you. Please deliver the little bag left
70 the address upon 1t, and retain the money
1peid you for your trouble GoNzALEx"
Hsstily thrusting the bit Of paper into my
pocket. called 70 the pilot, GAN right. pilot,
let her go"-and In a few moments we were
beading down the harbor, tho tow boat puff
ing away alongside, while the crew were rap
H. - - Al