, 1889-01-17

bag ashore,
Accordingly. the might before the picnic
smoke To the utIicerS over glass OF brandy
which l pu: out for their specia! benefit, and
requested permission 70 take some eatableS
ashore the next day
They gave their consent without he"ltA-
tion, and at once called the steward 10 pack
up his dog basket with provisions and
drinkablcs, and purposciy had him make q
display OF doing this before the officials, rs l
wanted them to SEQ everything that went
into the basket.
After it was full VIC left it on the cabin
table ready for the morning, as we were to
Esart 10y daylight
Along the middle OF tie night, when l was
sure that everything V:as quiet, turned olfs,
and, securing the baSl.a, hurried back Ia my
room. where l removed some OF the food and
put the Cuban's bag i'll its stead and again
returned the basket to the cabin table
All the time l could hear the footsteps OF
the officer who vas on watch pacing tho
deck overhead, but IS there WIS no Light in
the cabin had no fear OF keing detected.
In the morning every hing worked as had
expected; / went over into the boat IN which
were two of my men, and the steward handed
down the basket; waving an adicu to the Off
GERS we pulled away across the bay.
When well over to tx eastern shl . took
the bag out Of the basket and changed the
course of the boat SO rs TO land on the out
skirts of the city.
Reaching the shore l instructed NJ mon to
pull for tho cave where they would meet the
other captains and delive- the basket to them,
and say that business had called me 70 town,
but would join them soHSe time during the
Inv"
\ few minutes later l was seated in q vo-
laute Cuban carriaGc) and was being driven
slowly "a Cuban team VIII never travel faSt1
q the direction of the Plaza Iii POGO.
Turning into the square, III the center OF
which were growing rare and beautiful
plants, 1 observed several policemen and
Spanish soldiers lounEiaS about, but rs one
cannot take fifty steps in any Cuban city
withONt meeting one or more of these ser
wants of the crown, paid but little attention
to their presence.
l, however, ordered the carriage to stop
several doors from the house of which was
in search, and, after disInissing the driver, l
proceeded on foot
Number thirteen differed little from it,
neighboTS 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 wore furnished with close
blinds, which effectnally precluded the
pasSerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse
of the interior of the dwelling.
Approaching the gate 1 rapped loudly with
the ponderous knocker and my summons was
quickly answered by an old man who took in
my whole dimensions before dropping thA
tastenings of Ehe gate, and then not until
hal toll har of gflar
lez, Is Plaza di POGO, several times.
Finally, appearing satisfied that l had
right to call, he opened the gate Just far
enough for me to squeeze in, and then, after
agein securing the fastenings, he led the way
across paved court, in the center of which
was playing Il miniature fountain, into
large, cool room, and from thence into an
other which was quite dark, but as my eyes
became accustomed tsD the gloom | could see
that it was a chamber nicely furnished, and
upon couch in the nEddlc of tho apartment
was the outline of n rccumbent form which
started up at our approach.
My guide spoke few words in Spanish
and then retired, whik the person upon the
couch arose and, throwing open ono of the
blinds, allowed stream of light 70 enter the
apartment and by its aid could see that
was in the presence of q 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 INC in his native
tongue, only few words of which l could
understand, but by those few know he bade
rue welcome and inquired the object of my
visit.
Ireplied III English, ;nBking if I had the
T,las of IN
Gonzalez.
u am he" he returned in English, which
had but slight accent In what can L
Hervc youn
Before could respond his eyes fell upon
the bag. Instantly his whole manner
changed. Involuntary ho sprang forward
and reached out his hand as if to grasp it,
and then collecting himself he looked search
inSly into my face.
THAT bag-where did you get it," he ex-
.laimed, impetuously, but III a low, subdued
voice.
1T is yours" replied handing him the
5achel; lat least this is the place where
was instructed to leave it."
If tho bag had contained the riches of Col
conda he could not have received it more
eagerly.
Excuse me a moment, but remain here"
and with that he hurriely left the apartment.
He might have been gone perhaps ten min
utcs when he returned, and approaching the
window closed the blind, which left us in
total darkness, then drawing chair close to
mine, he inquired eagerly rs to how the bag
had come in my possession.
gave him the whole story, described the
young Cuban, and showed him the message
which had received the morning of sailing.
MY boy, my boy" he murnured, 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 l 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 a thief, 50 wrought up were my feelings,
when my host again entered.
Captain" he began, ''5ou have rendered
9 service, the value of which you may never
'.-low, and thousands yet unborn viii bless
yru for 1t. 1t is impoSSiISa for me to repay
-1ou for all the risk you nave run, but take
tIis"-thrusting n packet i9to my hand-''as
-HSht mcileEto OF iiN Sld'ltuue. snOuIl
in4iUs you to renew tins call upon me, but
!twould be dangerous to US both; oven this
may do you injury, though I trust not" and
pressing my hand he eunceremoniously pushed
me before him through q series of Railways
and rooms TO n rear entrance and left me be-
wildered upon the street with the package in
my hand which l had not had the presence of
Elind to refuse.
For moment stood stil, not knowing ex-
actly which way to turn, ana feeling that I
had undoubtedly escaped from call upon a
Iupatic, when was startled by the exclama-
ton:
'Bonis dios, senorIn and looking up recog-
aized the features of an army officer who had
frequently been lettering around the ship
chandlcr's, the custom house and other places
about the water front where my business
called me.
HIS appearance recalled Inc TO my senses,
and awkwarslly answering the salutation, 1
turned ON my, heel and hurried away nor
stopped for anything until seated in boat
and being pulled OFF u. my vessel, and did