The Irish standard., 1891-09-12

goes his colors!' he continued. The
United States, take it. What say
you, piloto?'' handing the glass to the
mariner.
ssSi, 81. senior, Americana" was the
reply. Sand he is heading now directly
for u.s.
II think fortune smiles upon our mis-
sion this time, remarked the owner OF
the yacht.
Truly it did, for in less than half an
hour after the flags had been ,holsted,
the engine of the steamer had stopped
and the little schooner was lying with
her lib hauled to windward not more
than cables length away.
A boat was lowered and manned, and
the chief officer of the larger vessel Wis
tied the yacht.
He was delighted at the arrangements
which had been made. for the disposal
of his cargo.
Selling a speaking trumpet he called
to his captain that ''au was right, and
:sto lower the boats and prepare to
transfer the cases to the schooner at
once"
ALI day both crews were kept busy.
In the afternoon a little coaster came
in sight, but she passed some distance
away. Aside from this nothing trans
PRED to alarm either the Cubans Or
their friends, and when night came ON
they had as much of a load as they
could conveniently carry.
AS darkness set in, the steamer ran a
line to the yacht and took her in tow,
for they were still some fifty miles from
Key Francis
About two o'clock the following
morning the light on the little island
was ssmade,'' and then the towline was
cast off and the steamer kept on her
way to the eastward, as though bound
to some port further along the COAST
while the schooner lay hove-to until
sunrise, when she ran in and came to
anchor close to the shore.
There were several vessels loading
sugar at the place, but the arrival OF.
the yacht with the Spanish flag flying
at her peak excited no comment.
Her crew 1ounged idly about the deck
all day, but nevertheless were keen OBJ!
servers of all that 'transpired around;
them.
In the middle Of the afternoon a;
small sail boat was seen approachlngii
from the direction of Caibarien, andl
when she ranged alongside the schooner
her occupants were found to be Fran:
cisco Ceballos and Jose Calvo.
The meeting Of the friends was a
happy one, and the young Cuban was
delighted at the success which had so
far attended the scheme.
His father, the don, had made ar!
rangements with a captain OF sugar
lighter to transfer the cargo to the
mainland where they were to be re-;
ceived by patriotic planter and con-!
cealed for a time in his now idle mill.
The lighter, however, could not be
obtained for some three Or four days.
as it's owner had a contract on hand to
fulfill which would occupy him that.
time, consequently the plan Of hiding
the arms in the jungle must be carried!
out, as the yacht would have to return:
to the steamer for more cargo. There
fore when darkness came on the:
work of discharging began, and in the
morning the schooner was again ready :,
for sea.
Three loads were successfully secreted
on the island, and one lighter full of
arms had been transferred to the main
land, when the patriots. who were
guarding the precious stores, were
thrown into the deepest consternation
by the arrival of Ceballos, the younger,
who had returned to Caibarien, with:
the startling announcement that they
had been betrayed and that the Spanish
soldiers were even then on the way to
Key Francis to seize the ammunition
and make them prisoners.
s'We are lost! We are LOST" he ex-
claimed in despair.
''Perhaps not, senior. 1t may be pos
sible to throw the enemy off the track
suggested Jose Calvo hopefully.
ssBut how can it be done? Did not
tell you they are even now on the way
hither?''
ssCertainly nothing can be accom-
plished if we stand here whining Like
sick children. We must work." was
the answer of the former mendicant,
who, rising to the occasion, assumed
the leadership Of affairs and lowered
above his associates.
ssPlace one case Of rifles and box Of
ammunition in the boat in which you
came from the city. We can afford to
sacrifice that much to the Spaniards in
order to save the balance
"What do you mean? [ cannot see
the drift of your plan,'' replied Francis
co, doubtfully.
''Why, send the boat to meet these
soldiers, and allow them to capture her."
''But, who will go in her? It is cer-'
tain death to the man who falls into the,
hands of the Spaniards under such Cir,
cumstances. Irepeat, who will go in
her?'
II Twill, senor," was the prompt and
unhinching reply. ''Did I not say that
had already given my miserable life
to Cuba? If now she demands it I am
ready to liquidate the debt! So lose no
time, friends, for the farther away from
the burrow the fox meets the hound
tho more secure arc its vO11np'