Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-18
brave fellow sprang into the boat,
hoisted the little three-cornered SAID
and was off, to meet, TohGtP
CHAPTER VII.
A VOLUNTARY MARTYR.

barges filed with men approaching
from the mainland.
'.Ah! The Spaniards,' he muttered.
He sat, almost motion1ess, grasping
the tiller, until he was sure that the
soldiers had got sight of him, then he
suddenly changed his course as though
trying to escape from them, but in re-
atty he had checked the Roadway Of
his boat, for he had eased off the sheet
of his sail so far that the little piece Of
light canvas was nearly shaking in the
wind.
Tho officers in charge OF the expedi-
ton were quick to notice the maneuver
Of our hero, and their suspicious were
at once aroused They ordered the men
to get out the long sweeps and were
soon in hot pursuit.
When Jose saw that the enemy were
after him he picked up one Of the large
stones, which served as ballast, and
dropped it overheard.
The pursuers were close enough to
sec the splash but not so near as to be
able to determine the nature Of the
article which their chase was 50 anxious
to dispose of.
Two moro stones followed the first,
and the Spaniards became exasperated,
for they felt sure the man was getting
rid of some contraband cargo.
In vain they called to him to desist,
and then, losing patience, their rifles
began to crack. That the soldiers had
received orders not to shoot to kill was
evident by the distance from their mark
at which the bullets struck the water.
They had their effect, however, for
Jose at once let go the halyards of his
little sail and allowing it to run down,
awaited patiently the coming of the en-
envy; but when they were close along
side he began to beg most piteously for
mercy, and one would have taken him
for an abject craven, to Judge by his
actions.
"Oh, senors! senors! spare me, spare
me, 1 prayi' he exclaimed. 81 was
forced to come In this boat else they
would have killed me-but, believe me,
intended to turn the whole of my load
over In the hands of the soldiers, when
should find them"
FAh, indeed" sneered the command
ing officer. "a very pretty tale. Did
| we not see you endeavoring to get rid
| Of your entire cargo? That does not
| look as if you wished the soldiers to
have the handling of it! But let us see
what there is left" and the Spaniard
stepped into the boat, while Jose sat
| shivering in apparent fear.
"Ah, ha, my men! A goodly find we
have made" said the officer, as his eye
fell upon the two cases. ''Here are
| rifles and ammunition But this can
not be the whole amount of which we
learned the rebels were in possession.
Tell me how much more have you left
at Key Francis"
mot another thing, senior. Not an
| other thing. The last load was sent
in lighter this morning to Senior
| Jacintos plantation! Oh, senior, If you
will spare my life, will show you the
way thitherl" besought Jose, very
humbly. "And believe me, there are
| over a hundred cases such as those
which have already been taken there,
| while but a small guard is stationed
over there. Oh, Capitano, say that you
| yll not kill me-"
sKil you! you miserable wretchi''
claimed the officer, with marked
contempt "You are not worth the ex-
| pense of powder and ball. But, quick
tell me where this plantation lies, and
you may hvei"
Thanks, senior, thanks! It is some
fifteen miles along the coast to the
westward. lean take you to the very
spot"
''Then step into the barge, and di-
rect the coxswain which course to
steer. But, mind, If you display any
treachery, your life will pay the penal
ty."
81 know, senior, I know'-replied
Jose, wringing his hands in seeming
anguish. "Keep to the westward, and
close in to the shore, so that may see
the marks and know where to land.
will be faithful, senors, oh, yes, l will
be Faithfully"
Had his captors been particularly OBJ
servant, they would have noticed a
ring In the voice of their prisoner which
the circumstances hardly seemed to
warrant, and greatly out Of keeping
with his apparent detection
When the two barges were pointed
away from the direction Of Key Fran
els, with it's important secret, the noble
Cuban could scarcely repress cry Of
exultation, for he felt now that the
safety of his comrades was assured.
Mile after mile the soldiers pulled
their heavy boats, but at every query
of the captain:
"Are we near our landing place?'
Jose would reply:
Further yet, senior. We must g
until we see a small clump Of mango
trees growing close down to the water:
} edge; these mark the mouth of little
} creek, up which we go but few rods
then push through the forest short
distance until we reach the plantation
There, in deserted sugarmill, we shall
find the arms"
This straight forward explanation
seemed to satisfy the commander, an6
he spurred the rowers on to greater ex
ertio1s. After several hours Of arduou.
: labor the pilot pointed to some mango
, trees and said: '"There is the creek
senor!
At once, the barges were headed to
ward the shore and entered the NINA
ture river, for Jose had guided then
: Alright, as far as the topography OF the