Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-02

l resolved to make a very vigorous protest
against such summary measures, and called
loudly for hearing. But might have saved
my strength, for my protestations were not
taken the slightest noticesof
Presently a number of officers appeared
crossing the plaza, and TO my unspeakable
relief / recognized the American consul in
their midst.
l was then to be granted the semblance Of
q trial at least
The officials wasted no time in further GER
emony, but seating themselves at the table
began at once by one Of their number read
ing the indictment, which was repeated in
English by an interpreter, and which ac-
cused me Of 'aiding and abetting the Cuban
insurgents, who were in arms against their
lawful sovereign, the king Of Spain, by de-
livering into the hands of one Of the chiefs OF
the insurgents incendiary papers TO incitethe
people Of Cuba to further deeds Of violence
against the government, and also money to
enable them to carry ON desultory war
fare.n
To have attempted to disguise anything or
withhold any part Of my share in the unfor-
tunate affair knew would DO disastrous 70
my cause; so told my story straightforward
from beginning 10 end, and the consul, saw,
was faithfully TRANSMITTING it.
Several times, l afterward learned tho
party employed as interpreter construed my
language so as TO make me appear much more
gully than | really was.
The fact that / had concealed the presence
of the bag in my cabin from the officers, and
then stealthily conveyed it ashore ana deliv-
cred it to the address upoh it, was n strong,
very strong point against me, and it re-
quired all the eloluence OF the consul 10
prove that l wns ignorant of the contents of
the bag
''If the prisoner had been aware what was
within the bag, would he have dared TO have
taken il 10 Is Plaza di POGO in broad day
light, when the plaza is full Of soldiers and
members Of the secret servicef' asked my
countryman and defender
This argument bore weight For some ten
minutes the officers conversed apart while
the consul did his best TO cheer mo up.
When everything had been fixed appar-
emily TO their satisfaction an elderly soldier,
one who seemed to be chief among my judges,
arose and in lengthy speech imposed my
sentence
"The court had found that had been but
an unwilling agent, and therefore was not
wholly responsible, but inasmuch as | had
surrepttiously conveyed the bag ashore
nuu lnSIeDg NlOiaueu tue CUSTOMS rue ana
was consequently found guilty and ordered
to pay fine of $500 in gold, and to remain
imprisoned within the fort at Matanzas until
the sum was paid"
Oh, what a relief. almost tainted ON
hearing the sentence, the reaction was so
great
As may DO imagined it.required but few
moments for the consul to give his bond for
the amount and was a free man.
had no desire to remain longer within
the walls Of the grim old fortress, after my
release, and in company with my defender
hurried out through sally port which was
opened for our egress and as we were pass.
ing through, much to our surprise, the con.
tents of my pockets (which had been taken
from me the previous night, were returned
to me.
Thus was ended my first and last tilt with
the Bill d goddess, which far famed lady may
be said to be doubly blind in the distant
islands of the Antilles.
aftorward ascertained that the SpaniarClI
had failed 60 secure the person Of Senior Con
zalez as he had left the city the same day Of
my visit, but as had been seen TO enter his
house with bag and leave it without one,
and as he was known to hold strong revolu.
tionary principles the authorities thought il
their duty TO arrest me, thinking that was
at least a sympathizer, and that through fear
of instant death would reveal some secrets
of the insurgents.