Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-05-09

alternative, must face them So hurrying
on my clothing came out into the cabin and
met tho officers.
"Wemust take you ashore, captain" re-
marked one of the soldiers in English.
"For whatY' demanded.
"That the captain will learn when we reach
there"-was the only satisfaction that got,
and unceremoniously they hustled me out Of
the vessel and away-but not Before I had
chance to tell my mate to inform the Amer
lean consul early in the morning of what had
taken place.
On leaving the bark was surprised to see
that they did not take the course for the city,
but kept away to the westward.
"Where are you taking me?" inquired, in
dismay.
''see, bimeby," was the only answer, and
held my peace.
Soon the dark outlines of tho shore arose
before me, but the formation of the outline
as it broke upon my view caused shudder
to creep over me and almost froze the blood
in my veins. g.... ......
It was the fort that wa were approaching,
and the sharp angles and lofty turrets stood
out grim and threatening against the star Lit
sky in the west. ,e.-r
All the tales that had ever read Of the
Spauish inaaisitfen Ahd The manner III ~fficb'
they administer justice (D in Cuba rushed to
my mind, and again the fate of poor Capt.
Frye was still fresh in my memory.
Still was sure that they could only pun
ish me with fine for smuggling the bag
ashore; yet, suppose that the bag contained
something of importance to the Cuban
patriotss What If had unwittingly been
the bearer Of valuable messages to the in
surgents2 .r. g.. ..,.......
The thought almost unnerved me.
If it was so, and the government had found
the packet, I could expect no better fate than
Virginius.
When the keel Of the boat grated upon the
coral rocks at tho foot Of a fight Of stone
steps, was ordered to disembark, and be-
tween two soldiers with muskets, and pre-.
coded by an officer, the ascent was began up
the damp Shiny stairs. ,.-.. ..
We had not taken many steps when we
were hailed by a sentry, who was answered
by tho officer in whose charge was-we then
resumed our way; soon a. bright light shone
In our faces, and wc could SEQ an open door a
liutle above US. . ..-.'s-. ..'' ..
Through this door wo passed and as it
swung to again upon its massive hinges we
found ourselves between two rows Of soldiers
with drawn swords; the apartment seemed to
be sort OF guard room or keep.
A few moments after our entrance, during
which time We had remained standing with
out a word being spoken, a door in tho fur
ther end Of the room opened and an officer,
gayly bedecked with gold lace, entered and
approaching, our party took some papers
from the soldier in charge and began to read
them very carefully. ..'
When he had finished he waved an adieu
to those who had arrested me, and they at
once turned and left the apartment by the
same door through which we had entered.
Then, at the word Of command, two sol
dies stepped from the ranks end began to
search my pockets and clothing, taking every
thing that they could find, even to my hand
kerchief. ......... :.
I was next ordered to fall into line with
the guard and was marched off through long,
gloomy passageways, down flight after flight
Of damp, moldy steps; past strong iron doors
which was easy enough for me to imagine
were closed upon some poor mortas who
were destined never again to breathe the
pure air Of heaven, but to lie entombed
within this dismal pile of masonry until well
come death should release them from their
suffering, perhaps years after their very
names had been forgotten in their own
homes.
, Once heard-or thought heard-a low,
distinct moan that seemed to rise from the
stone tagging beneath our feet.
Narrower grew the passage as we ad-
vanced, and by the feeble rays of the single
torch carried by one Of the guard could
see numberless lizards, scorpions and other
creeping reptiles scamper away at our ap.
proach.
At length, after a journey which seemed
to have led me into the very bowels of tho
earth, we were halted before one Of the nu-
merous iron doors, which the officer unlocked
and opened, and without further ceremony
was thrust into q small, damp, fetid cell,
with bare stone walls, floor and roof.
By the light Of the torch, which strcalned
into tho apartment before the heavy door
was swung to, I could see that it was entirely
empty, save a countless number of those
loathsome creatures which had darted across
our pathway as we came down the corridor.
Oh, what feeling Of despair came over
me when found myself alone in total dark
ness, entombed in this loathsome, subterra-
mean dungeon.
Slowly the remaining hours Of the night
wore away, giving me plenty of time to think
over the incidents Of the past few weeks and
see if had done anything to deserve such
treatment.
Easy it was to trace my trouble to the
strange youth who had formed my acquaint-
ance in Boston, but had committed no
crime in delivering his effects to his family,
save in the act of smuggling them ashore,
and that in itself was trivial offense.
The more my mind dwelt upon the matter,
the more was convinced that had allowed
myself to become medium between the
Cuban patriots and their sympathizers in the
United States, and the information or what
ever it was that had delivered must have
been Of great Importance to call forth such
reward from Gonzalez. Yes, there was no
doubt but what was in for it, and knowing
the irascible temper Of the Spaniards felt
that my death was well nigh certain.
After what seemed an age from the time Of
my commitment to the prison, a faint streak
made its appearance upon one of the walls OF
my cell; it was the first break Of day.
The small aperture through which the light
struggled was only about five feet from the
floor, and could easily look out.
The slit was too narrow to allow very e1-
tended range to my vision, but could see
that was confined on the water side of the
fort, and directly fronting the shipping But
this fact afforded me little consolation, for !
felt sure that I should only leave this dreary
dungeon to march to my death.
I was gazing wistfully cut through the tiny
aperture, when heard the heavy bolt thrown
back and the ponderous door swung open on
its rusty hinges; and turning was confront
ed by ali officer and a file of soldiers armed
with muskets. The officer, with drawn
sword, stepped into the cell, and In pom.
pous manner ordered me to "fall in" and we
took up our march through the tortuous
passageway to the light of day above.
Issuing from the underground labyrinth
of corridors we emerged into spacious
square, across which I was conducted and
placed with my back against the stone face
of wall, while the soldiers were drawn up in
line few PAGES in front of me.
Several soldiers now appeared carrying q
table and some light camp stools, which they
placed quite near me, but little to ono side,
and then retired; two of them almost imme-
diately returned bearing that grim symbol Of
death, coffin.
That my time had come was certain, but
I resolved to make very vigorous protest
against such summary measures, and called
loudly for hearing. But might have saved
my strength, for my protestations were not
10 tho cl;crbtact potioa oP