The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-01-13
IMPRISONED IN CUBA
PART I.


terious workings as 'thOse who go down 70 /
the sea in ships" and although they often |
find themselves "fouledn In its meshes it is |
generally due to accident, or the machina- |
tious Of some Gland shark" or perhaps, in |
dealing with unprincipled people 'along |
Shore" the sailor may be unwittingly caught
in the net spread to ensnare him.
Although the mariner may be veritable
giant when upon the broad, trackless ocean,
he is q mere child if placed among men who
have received their training upon terra
firma; and the simplicity of the sailor is
often the cause of his being arraigned before
the bar of justice
Il is very seldom that one will find sea-
man deliberately committing deed which
will lay himself liable TO arrest, and when
such case is met with it win almost invari-
ably be found that the act was done to assist
a friend or shield comyade from the conse-
quences of some misdeed.
A few years ago, shortly after the capture
of Capt. Frye and crew of the American
steamer virginius, and the subsequent execu-
ton Of a part of the same by the Cuban
authorities, / became entangled with the
Spanish soldiers of the beautiful tropic isle
Of Cuba, and my acquaintance with them
came very near putting an end to my voyage
of life
I was master of trim little bark sailing
from Boston and engaged in the West India
trade. 49,. t-
One evening while the vessel was lying at
wharf in the latter port, where she was re-
ceiving cargo for Matanzas, was sitting
upon the quarter rail enjoying IN after sup
per smoke when observed young man of
perhaps % years Of age coming down the
dock very leisurely.
As he got abreast Of where was seated he
stopped and with very affable smile bade
me good evening" and then inquired If 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 a 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
tfty dollars in the morning for his passage
to the island.
The following day, while slipping coffee in
company with the mate, was surprised to
see our prospective passenger with a small
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 the
utmost politeness bid me a very "Good morn
ing.n After partaking Of a cup of coffee
with US ! invited him below and showed him
the room he was to occupy during the pas
sage.
He was very well satisfied with the accom-
modations, and taking out well filed wallet
he paid me the price agreed upon, then and
there. -r
''This bag" he remarked, indicating the
small sachel in his hand, contains some
articles of value, and should be we'll pleased
If you would take care Of it for me until We
reach Matanzas." s-t ...
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.
When left alone turned my attention to
the bag, which was still in my hand; it was
small and neat, and, judged, quite an ex-
pensive affair
Turning it over 1 observed an address
painted in white letters upon the bottom; it
read: "Senor Roderiquez Gonzalez, Is Plaza di
| POGO, MatanI, Cuba"
The Plaza di POGO knew quite well, as
| had been nany times to Matanzas and had
roamed considerably about the city.
| 1t was q pleasant little open square, sur
rounded by the homes of the middle class
most Of whom were native born Cubans.
| However, l had not not much time to spend
with the bag, so 1 threw it into my bunk ant
closed and locked the stateroom door befor'
| going ashore.
A master of vessel is always very busy
on the day before sailing, as there is sure t,
be a great deal Of business to attend to, AM
my passenger never entered my mind bu
once and that was when went TO Clear a
the custom house.
| 1t was quite late when l returned to tn
vessel, and on entering my room the presenc
of the bag reminded me Of the Cuban, SO cal
ing the mate inquired il the stranger ha
J yet come aboard.
''No, sir, I've seen nothing of him." was tn
| officers reply.
In the morning everything was bustlin
and active. The crew were aboard and th
towboat alongside shortly after daylight bu
nothing had yet been seen of our passenger
The pilot and the captain of the tug wer
anxious to start, but was bound to wait III
til the last moment to give the young fello'
| a chance
Soon our overtaxed patience was rewarded
A hack dashed down the wharf and drew u
| at the vessels side
1t was not the Cuban who alighted, hov
ever, but a telegraph boy waving dispatc
in his hand and calling for Capt. Graham
bark Rambler
"Here, boy, herel" cried, jumping int
the mizzen channels to reach the messag
which quickly tore open and read:
"Capt. Graham, bark Rambler, Constitute
wharf, Boston.
''Through unforeseen circumstances it WI
be impossible for me to make the passal
with you. Please deliver the little bag lie
to the address upon it, and retain the mont
Ipaid you for your trouble. GONZALEZ" !"
Hastily thrusting the bit of paper into II
pocket, / called to tho pilot, "All right, pile
let her gon-and in few moments we we
heading down the harbor, the tow boat pu
ing away alongside, while the crew were ra
idly spreading the white canvas to catch {
strong westerly wind that was to give us
good start upon our voyage, and, as may
supposed, there was no thought of the Cub
lett behind.
The passage down to the island was wit
out event and we came to anchor in Manta
zas after run Of eighteen days.
We were, of course, boarded by the 4
force of Cuban otflcials-revenue, militia
and naval-and after a close scrutiny Of G
! papers and rigid search of the bark "
allowed to go ashore to report to the ct
signees and center the vessel
: Ihad not thought it necessary to info
the customs authorities of the Cuban's tru
, as l felt assured that could any time duri
our stay in port deliver it to the address a
no one would be the wiser
1t is true that the officers looked at
very queerly when explained the absei
OF the passenger whose name was ON
manifest, but as he had not been found
. board the vessel, they were obliged to acc
my story; still noticed that my movesne
r were more closely watched than tney
: ever before been; they even went SO far as
: place, beside the regular custom house ofit
s soldier of the army on board the vessel
4 This strict surveillance did not at all pie
{ me- and was now determined to deliver
4 bag to No. 13 Plaza di POGO in spite of all
IS Spaniards on the island
y fully realized that it would be no e
n matter to get the bag out of the vessel W
2. out the officers detecting me, although it
is but a small parcel
o watched my chance, however, and
& day 1t came.
" Several American captains, whose ves
It were in port, had made up party to ,
n the renowned Crystal cave, that lies u
O. the eastern side of the Bay of Matanzas
course each one must carry some refr
ments for themselves and their boats cI
and here l saw an opportunity TO smuggls
ne bag ashore.
" Accordingly, the night before the picn
q spoke to the officers over a glass OF bra
~ y A. l. 4