Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-18
DIED FOR CUBA.
by MARLToN DOWNING.
Copyrighted by Kellogg Newspaper Co. ]

ny NC1ANSS W. j
of the company on board, except the
owner and pilot, had ever been out of
sight of the land.
The people were in fact tho social as
sociates of Don Ceballos and Senior
Vasquez, and had, every one, been
present at the secret political meeting;
they had volunteered their services to
man the yacht on the occasion of her
trip to intercept the steamer laden with
arms, 1t not being deemed expedient to
make use Of q regular crow on such an
important mission.
Although the owner had sailed by the
Moro many times, yet this day he drew
n sigh Of relief when his little craft had
passed beyond the range of the for
mitlable guns that frowned menacingly
from the parapets.
Glow long should it take us to run
down to Salt Key bank, photo? For it
is there we arc to meet the steamer"
with the wind no heavier than this,
senior, it will be all of twenty-four
hours before we make the light on the
shoals"
"Ah, then we have plenty Of time to
arrange our plans" answered the
Cuban. Then in loud voice he called
Come, my friends, lay aft here. We
are too far away from that old stone
pile to fear detection by its guards, and
you have played sailors to perfection"
At this the amateur yachtsmen joined
their comrade on the quarter deck.
With but one of the characters is the
reader acquainted, and that is the en-
thusiastic young patriot, Valdes Haas
He was on board the yacht as custodian
of the prisoner, Felipe Coras, who was
lying in the cabin, manacled, awaiting
sentence which had not yet been passed
upon him.
"Now senors," said Vasquez, 81 want
to make you familiar with the line
of action which Don Manuel and
myself have thought best to pursue.
We are to fall In with the steamer, and
when out of sight of land take on board
as much of her cargo as we can carry,
and then sail for Key Francis, which
lies off the coast about twenty miles
from Caibarien.
"Senor Ceballos, his son and the re-
claimed Jose Calvo, whom you now
know was the prime factor in the cap
ture of that villain below there, have
gone down by land to prepare for our
reception. Our anchoring off the little
island will excite no suspicion, as I
have been there with the yacht several
times. A portion of the Key is dense
Jungle, an excellent place in which to
conceal our valuable acquisition of
arms, until II suitable opportunity can
be found to put them into the hands of
our friends, which trust will not be
many days hence. What think you of
the plan?"
81 can see no other that offers so sure
prospect of success" replied Haas.
And there seems to be no chance OF
failure here, unless through treachery,
of which fortunately we need have but
little fear, for Cubans of the stamp OF
our prisoner are far from numerous,
and Spaniards, of course, we shall
avoid"
The little band of determined men
sat discussing the political situation I'M
til the shades of night darkcned the
scene, then the watch" was set, and
all those who were not detailed fo1
duty went below.
AS the sun arose from its watery bed
the following morning, the joyful an
nouncement from the pilot that n
steamer was In sight, brought everyone
on deck, and there far down on the
eastern horizon was a long line Of
| smoke indicating the locality of the
vessel.
ut may not be the craft of which VIC
arc in search" remarked VasqueZ, rs
his friends became jubilant.
eve can only trust that it is" re
piled the pilot, ''for if it should be we
shall have good, long day to work by
her side"
| At the expiration of an hour the hui
of the steamer was plainly visible. She
| was headed toward the mainland o.
Cuba and was travelling at q very SLOW
rate of speed.
"That must be the one," observed the
pilot, "else she would be going faster
Lool1l she changes her course, as though
her commander was undecided which
way to steer. However, u short time
will decide. Set our signals, senior, anC
let him know that we want to speal
to him."
In fow moments tho Spanish ensign
was flying from the masthead of the
yacht.
'I dislike very much to show tina
flag" remarked Vasquez, as he looked
aloft at the red and yellow bunting
"But it would not do to display an.
other in case that craft is not the on
for which we are seeking. Ali Their
goes his colorsI'' he continued. 9TH
United States, I take it. What sa.
you, ptIotoF" handing the glass to tn
mariner.
Isl, 81, scnor, Americana" was tn
reply. "And he is heading now directl
for u.s."
81 think fortune smiles upon our mis-
sion this time" remarked the owner @
the yacht.
Truly it did, for In less than half a
hour after the flags had been hoistec
the engine of the steamer had stoppe
and the little schooner was lying wit
her lib hauled to windward not NOR
| than a cables length away.