The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-01-13

After IL was full we left 10 on the cabin L
table ready for the morning, Us we were to |
start by daylight.
Along the middle Of the night, when was |
sure that everything was quiet, turned out,
and, securing the basket, hurried back TO my |
room, where I removed some Of the food and
put the Cuban's bag In its stead and again |
returned the basket to the cabin table,
ALI the time could hear the footsteps of
the officer who was on watch pacing the
deck overhead, but as there was no light In
the cabin had no fear Of being detected.
In the morning everything worked as Ihad
expected; went over into the boat In which
were two Of my men, and the steward handed
down the basket, waving an adieu to the OIL
GERS we pulled away across the bay.
When well over to the eastern shore took
the bag out of the basket and changed the
course Of Che boat so as to land on the out
skirts of the city.
Reaching the shore instructed my men to
pull for the cave where they would meet the
other captains and deliver the basket to them,
and say that "business had called me to town,
but would join them some time during the
day."
A few minutes later I was seated in a vo-
lante Cuban carriage) and was being driven
slowly Ia Cuban team will never travel FAST
Turning into the square, in the center of
which were growing rare and beautiful
plants, observed several policemen and
Spanish soldiers louDging about, but as enc
cannot take fifty steps in any Cuban city
without meeting one or more Of these SER
wants of the crown, paid but little attention
to their presence.
/, however, ordered the carriage to stop
several doors from the house of which was
in search, and, after dismissing the driver, I
proceeded on foot.
Number thirteen differed little from its
neighbors save an unusual air of quiet by
which it seemed to be surrounded; it had the
same large iron gateway leading into the in
closed area peculiar to all Cuban houses; the
same long, barred, open windows, but, like
the majority, those were furnished with close
blinds, which effectually precluded the
passerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse
of the interior of the dwelling.
Approaching the gate raped loudly with
the ponderous knocker and my summons was
quickly answered by an old man who took in
my whole dimensions before dropping tho
fastenings of the gate, and then not until
had repeated the name of Roderiquez Coma
lez, Is Plaza di POGO, several times.
Finally, appearing satisfied that had
right to call, he opened the gate just far
enough for me to squeeze in, and then, after
again securing the fastenings, be led the way
across paved court, in the center Of which
was playing a miniature fountain, into a
large, cool room, and from thence into an
other which was quite dark, but as my eyes
became accustomed to the gloom could see
that it was chamber nicely furnished, and
upon couch in the middle of the apartment
was the outline Of recumbent form which
started up at our approach.
My guide spoke . few words in Spanish
and then retired, while the person upon the
couch arose and, throwing open one Of the
blinds allowed a stream of light to enter the
apartment, and by its aid could see that
was in the presence Of fine looking gentle
man somewhat past the meridian of life but
with tall figure still erect and with eyes
that flashed out brightly from beneath pair
Of gray brows
Turning he addressed me in his native
tongue, only a few words of which / could
understand but by those few know he bade
me welcome and inquired the object Of my
visit.
| replied in English, asking II had the
| pleasure of speaking to Senor Roderiquez
| Gonzalez te.
| ~ am he," he returned in English, which
had but q slight accent "In what can
serve your
Before could respond his eyes fell upon
the bag. Instantly his whole manner
changed Involuntary he sprang forward
and reached out his hand as If to grasp it
and then collecting himself he looked search
ingly into my face.
"That bag-where did you get iti" he ex
claimed, impetuously, but in q low, subduet
| voice.
"It is yours" replied, handing him tn,
sachel; "at least this is the place where
was instructed to leave it,"
If the bag had contained the riches Of Col
conda he could not have received it NOR,
eagerly.
"Excuse me q moment, but remain here,
and with that he hurriely left the apartment
He might have been gone perhaps ten min
utes when he returned, and approaching til
window closed the blind, which left US il
total darkness, then drawing a chair close t
mine, he incurred eagerly as to how the ba
had come in my possession.
Igave him the whole story, described th
young Cuban, ard showed him the messag
which had received the morning Of sailing
"My boy, my boy" he murmured, an
several times during the recital he broke /
upon me as though he was about to tell m
something, but would then quickly chec
himself.
At the close of my narrative arose to g
when the strange old man requested mo to
seated few minutes longer, and then agai
left the room.
To say that was surprised at his mann,
does not express it. There was certainl
something very mysterious in it all, and
was half tempted to sneak out of the hou
like thief, so wrought up were my feeling
when my host again entered.
"Captain," he began, ''you have render'
a service, the value of which you may new
know, and thousands yet unborn will BILE
you for 1t. 1t is impossible for me to rep,
you for all the risk you have run, but ta
this"-thrusting packet into my hand
slight memento of my gratitude. shou
, invite you to renew this call upon me, b
, It would be dangerous to US both; even Il
/ may do you injury, though trust not" al
pressing my hand he eunceremoniously push
me before him through series of hallwa
: and rooms to a rear entrance and left ale
wildered upon the street with the package
. my hand which had not had the presence
mind to refuse.
: For a moment stood still, not knowing
o actly which way to turn, and feeling tina
a had undoubtedly escaped from a call upol
o lunatic, when 1 was startled by the exclan
A tion:
"Bonis dios senorl" and looking up rec
T. nized the features of an army officer who
i frequently been lettering around the sh
chandler's, the custom house and other pla
Il about the water front whore my busin
Y called me.
q His appearance recalled me to my sens
" and awkwardly answering the salutation
l. turned ON my heel and hurried away
stopped for anything until seated in a b
n and being pulled off to my vessel, and
t, not breathe easy until stepped over the !
e TO the deck, and even then a glance at
d packet which l still clutched in my hand ,
sufficient to cause me to tremble.
ie Hurrying through the cabin / entered
&c own room, closed the door and broke o
le the package and to my surprise out fell
,n eral United States bank bills.
n PART III.
THE ARREST.
To gathered the money up, and it cour
n just $3.50; then / sat down and ponde
Surely the contents Of the bag must b
been of great value to have called forth 6
ho apiesent, but the more tried to explain
=" affair tn mvsalf the mora I was Duzzled