Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-07-26
IMPRISONED In CUBA.
PART I.
rHn MYsrERIous PAcKAaE.

TIN MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.
There is not class of men in the world
who possess such a horror of police and
prisons, and regard with such generation and
respect the law and its oftentimes mys-
FERROUS workings as ''those who go down to
the sea in ships" and although they often
find themselves "fouledn In its meshes, il is
generally due TO accident, or the machina-
tions 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 q veritable
giant when upon the broad, trackless ocean,
he is a 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 ariaigned before
the bar Of justice,
II is very seldom that one will find a sea-
man deliberately committing a deed which
will lay himself liable to arrest, and when
such a case is met with it viii almost invari-
ably be found chat the act was done to assist
friend or shield comrade from the conse-
quences Of some misdeed
A fow years ago, shortly after the capture
of Capt. Frye and crew of the American
steamer Virginius, and the subsequent execu-
tion of 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.
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 an after sup
per smoke when | observed a 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 a very affable smile babe
me good evening" and then inquired if we
were not bound to the West Indies. Assur-
ing him that we were, no stepped aboard, re-
marking that he belonged in Cuba and was
looking for vessel in which to take passage.
| rather liked the appearance of the
stranger, ard seeing a chance to mako few
dollars for my owners by taking passenger,
as we had plenty Of room in the cabin, l
offered to take him and we soon agreed upon
terms, the stranger promising TO give mo
fifty 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" After partaking of 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.
'1This bag" he remarked, indicating the
small sachel in his hand, contains some
articles of value, and should be well pleased
if you would take care of it for me until we
reach Matanzas."
OF course 1 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 loft 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 / observed an address
painted in white letters upon the bottom; it
read: 'Senor Roderiquez Gonzalez, Is Plaza di
POGO, Matann, Cuba.n
The Plaza di POGO 1 knew quite we'll, as l
had been many times to Matanzas and had
roamed considerably about the city
1t was 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 threw it 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 to
be great deal of business to attend to, and
my passenger never entered my mind but
once, and that was when l went to 'clear" at
the custom house.
1t was quite late when | returned TO the
vessel, and on entering my room the presence
of the bag reminded me of the Cuban, so cali
ing the mate | inquired if the stranger had
yet come aboard.
mo, sir, I've seen nothing of him" was the
officers reply.
In the morning everything was busting
and active. The crew were aboard and the
towboat alongside shortly after daylight, but
nothing had yet been seen of our passenger.
The pilot and the captain of tho tug We're
anxious to start, but l was bound to wait I'M
til the last moment to give tbs young fellow
a chance
Soon our overtaxed patience was rewarded
A hack dashed down the wharf and drew up
at the vessels side.
1t was not the Cuban who alighted, how
ever, but telegraph boy waving dispatch
in his hand and calling for Capt. Graham,
bark Rambler
"Herc, boy, here!' I cried, jumping into
the mizzen channels to reach the message,
which | quickly tore open and read:
capt. Graham, bark Rambler, Constitution
wharf, Boston.
Through Unforeseen circumstances it will
be impossible for me to make the passage
with you. Please deliver the little bag l left
to the address upon it, and retain the money
paid you for your trouble. GONZALEZ"
Hastily thrusting the bit Of paper into my
pocket, called to the pilot, GAN right, pilot,
let her go'-and in few moments we were
heading down the harbor, the tow boat puff
ing away alongside, while the crow were rap
idly spreading the white canvas to catch the
strong westerly wind that was to give us a
good start upon our voyage, and, as may DO
supposed, there was no thought of the Cuban
lett behind.
The passage down to the island was with
out event and we came to anchor in MAINTAIN
zas after a run of eighteen days
We wore, OF course, boarded by the full
force OF Cuban oflicials-revenue, military
and naval-and after a close scrutiny of our
papers and a rigid search of the bark was
allowed to go ashore TO report to the con-
signees and CENTER the vessel.
had not thought it necessary to inform
the customs authorities of the Cubans trust,
as felt assured that / could any time during
our stay in port deliver it to the address and
no one would be the wiser.
1t is true that the officers looked at me
very qucerly when / explained the absence
Of the passenger whose name was on tho
manifest, but as he had not been found on
board tae vessel, they were obliged to accept
my story still noticed that my movements
were more closely watched than they had
ever before been; they even went so far as 20
place, beside the regular custom house officer,
q soldier of the army on board the vessel
This strict surveillance did not at all please
me, and was now determined TO deliver the
bag to No. IS Plaza di POGO in spite Of all the
Spaniards on the island
fully realized that it would be no easy
matter to get the bag out of the vessel with
out the officers detecting me, although it was
blft a small parcel