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

table ready for the morning, as 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 removed some Of the food and
put the Cuten's bag in its stead and again
returned the basket to the cabin table.
All 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 I had
expected; I went over into the boat in which
were two Of my men, and the steward handed
down the basket; waving an adieu to the ofi-
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 the boat 80 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,
+ md SAN that bad He'd ch,t tssksis
but would join them some time during the
day" ~
A few minutes later I was seated in vo-
lante Cuban carriage) and was being driven
slowly "a Cuban team will never travel fast)
in the direction Of the PLAN di POGO.
Turning into the square, in the center Of
which we're growing rare and beautiful
plants, observed several policemen and
Spanish soldiers lounging about, but as one
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.
| I, 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. a~.Har
Number thirteen differed little from its
neighbors save an unusual air Of quiet by
which it seemed to be surrounded; it had tho
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' prec1uded the
passerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse
of the interior Of the dwelling .y
Approaching the gate raped loudly with 4
| the ponderous knocker and my summons was
quickly answered by an old man who took in
my whole dimensions before dropping tho
fastenings of he gate, and then not until .
bad repeated the name of Roderiquez Coma
lez, 13 Plaza di POGO, several times.
Finally, appearing satisfied that had a
right to call, he opened the gate just far
enough for me to squeeze in, and then, after
again securing the fastenings, he led the way
across paved court, in the center Of which
was playing q miniature fountain, into a
large, cool room, and from therco into an
other which was quite dari q 1T as H. eyes
became accustomed to tho gloom could sev
that it was chamber nicely furnished, and
upon couch in the middle Of the apartment
was the outline Of rec'1mbent 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 stream Of light to enter the
apartment, and by its aid I 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 a pair
Of gray brows. ..-'.. ....-..- .--..'.
Turning he addressed me in his native
tongue, only few words Of which could
understand, but by those few know he bade
me welcome and inquired the object Of my
visit. ~
Ireplied in English, asking if had the
pleasure of speaking to Senior Roderiquez
Gonzalez.
II am he," he returned in English, which
bad but a slight accent "In what can I
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 no looked search
ingly into my face.
"That bag-where did you get it!' he ex-
claimed, impetuously, but in low, subdued
voice.
lit is yours" replied, handing him the
sachcl; lat least this is the place where
was instructed to leave it."
If the bag had contained the riches of Col
conda he could not havo received it more
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 the
window closed the blind, which left us in
total darkness, then drawing q chair close to
mine, he inquired eagerly as to how the bag
had come in my possession.
Igave him the whole story, described the
young Cuban, and showed him the message
"My boy, my boy,n he murmured, and
several times during the recital he broke in
upon me as though he was about to tell me
something, but would then quickly check
himself.
At the close of my narrative arose to 60,
when the strange old man requested me to be
seated few minutes longer, and then again
left the room.
To say that was surprised at his manner
does not express it. There was certainly
something very mysterious in it all, and
was half tempted to sneak out of the house
like thief, so wrought up were my feelings,
when my host again entered.
captain" he began, ''you have rendered
q service, the value of which you may never
know, and thousands yet unborn will bless
you for It, 1t is impossible for me to repay
you for all the risk you have run, but take
this'-thrusting packet into my hand-'as
slight memento of my gratitude. should
invite you to renew this call upon ne, but
it twouid be dangerous to US both; even this
may do you injury, though trust not" and
pressing my hand he uncercmoniously pushed
me before him through a series of Railways
and rooms to q rear entrance and left mo be-
wildered upon the street with the package in
my manu- WHICH utu llOU luu Cue pIeSeNCeol
mind to refuse.
For a moment stood still, not knowing e1-
actly which way to turn, and feeling that I
had undoubtedly escaped from call upon
lunatic, wtca was startled by the exclama-
ton:
'Honis dos, senor!" and looking up recog-
nized the features of an army officer who had
frequently been lettering around the ship
chambers, the custom house and other places
about the water front where my business
called me.
His appearan recalled me to my senses,
and awkwardly answering the salutation, I
turned on my heel and hurried away nor
stopped for anything until seated in boat
and being pulled off to my vessel, and did
not breathe easy until stepped over the rail
to the deck, and even then glance at the
packet which I still clutched in my hand was
sufficient to cause me to tremble.
Hurrying through the cabin I entered my
own room, closed the door and broke open
the package and to my surprise out fell sew
eral United States bank bliis
PART II.
THE ARREST
gathered the money up, and it counted
just $3.50; then I sat down and pondered.
Surely the contents Of the bag must have
been of oraet vo1na IN ho va c01lpf1 forth such |