The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-09
The Captains Money.
Tale q Buried Treasure, Cuban Revolt
aD0Adventure Upon The Seas
IN FOUR PARTS
BY JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.

throw myself into this movement heart
and soul. Let me make short story
of what followed. Now that it is all
over-now that Lopez, Crittenden. and
at least an hundred of their followers
have suffered death, and two or three
hundred more are rotting in Spanish
dungeons, can talk coolly and cam
didly about it. The leaders were brave
enough and enthusiastic enough; but
their bravery and enthusiasm couldn't
avail with scanty arms, poor equip
ment and no artillery. We had
many good men; some others were lit
tie better than the sweepings of New
Orleans. We landed at Morello last
month, and met several detachments
of Spanish troops. And we whipped
them every time they came against us,
less than ten to one! But of course
this style of campaigning couldn't be
kept up. We got no recruits; the peo-
pie wouldn't rise; our numbers were
reduced by sickness and the bullet, and
at length powerful force dispersed us,
capturing Crittenden and his detach-
ment. The General and l made our
way to the mountains; we separated ore
night for safety, engaging to meet on
the morrow at certain time and place.
The next day heard of his capture.
was working in the fields disguised
as laborer, my face stained with
a preparation that got in Havana
four years ago. Three different par
ties of soldiers arrested me, examined
me and discharged me; my disguise,
my fluent use of the language, and my
knowledge of the country, made me
absolutely secure. Why, then, you will
ask, did risk appearing in Havana at
such time? My answer is simply:
Lopez; / wanted to be near him;
wanted to know his fate, and to assist
him, if possible. Once in the city,
there were hundred refugees where I
would be secure. The one l chose was
the home of Jew clothier on one Of
the darkest and most obscure streets of
the city. l had struck up an odd kind
of friendship with him years before,
and knew he would do any thing for
me.
Now, I'll admit in advance all you'd
like to say about my subsequent con-
duct 1t was, of course, the height of
folly for me to mingle with all those
thousands on the Paseo yesterday. l
can only say that / should have
gone and looked upon my brave leader
and friend in his last moments, had l
knoW,a that detection would follow [
simply could not help it. And when
witnessed his cruel death and heard
that insulting proclamation, l thought
that the stones would cry out if | kept
silent! 1t was foolish; of course; but
it was just like me to do it,
Il understand you, my lad" said the
Captain. at was pretty hard work for
me to keep STILL"
"When l was arrested. my first
thought was that my hours were num-
bered. had not been taken beyond
the Paseo before l had thought the
matter over and determined to make
an effort to escape. Beside the other
things that favored me, the very bold
ness of the attempt made success pos
sible. was well acquainted with the
soldiery into whose hands had fallen,
and knew they would never dream Of
such an attempt. At the worst, a Span
ish bullet would finish me; should fail
to try it, was certain of the garrote.
You saw the attempt and it's success.
The Captain who recognized and ar
rested me was one whom l had seen
shoot a wounded insurgent at Las
Pozas; and l hope you'll believe me
when | say that nothing in my life ever
gave me greater satisfaction than to
break his head with the butt of one of
his own muskets.
81 made my way quickly and safely
back to the Jews. He hid me SO Sc
;curely that was not in the slightest
danger OF capture, though both his
home and shop were twice ransacked
last night by the patrol. Before day
light he visited me under ground, and
we arranged the plan of escape that
has been successfully carried into exc
cution. knew that the pursuit would
be kept hot for weeks; I could trust
my faithful jew with my life, but I
could not trust the long chapter of &C
cidents that might lead to my detec-
ton. / determined that I must leave
Cuba at once. These Havana Jews
know every thing that is transpiring.
With lot of other gossip, he had told
me Of the American merchant-vessel
in the harbor without crew, whose
master was trying to pick up one. l
caught the chance at once My dis
guise / was absolutely sure of; my
only fear was that you had already got
iall the men you wanted But / came
down to the quay with the agent, and
when | saw you, recognized you at
once as the man who stood behind me
in the crowd yesterday, and whose
generous sentiments were expressed in
my hearing. need say no more; I'm
safe under the old flag, thank God!'
The narrative of Henry Crawford
was listened to with the deepest in
terest by the Captain. and, naturally,
led to fifteen minutes more of con-
M HGA .u1n1 .4fHT (,