The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-08-25

| Hourb III the sauuio uPoh sho calzada."
 rNever fear:" responded the states man sunnily. "Nor will forget the pass for our Gypsy band which General Tacon sent me. with his compliments at sunset"
 Good! But even without that. nc harm could come to us. l promise you as a leader this night the most dread cd and powerful man in all Cuba"
 And with this the Virginian walked cheerlly away.
 V
 At the same moment this singular meeting was progressing at the Hotel Amy, Governor General Tacon sat alone In the state department of the palace. over against the Plaz dc Armas. boring over new plans to rid the islands from the increasing depre- datlons of the contrabandits and pi- rates, under the leadership of the all powerful outlaw. Pancho Marti, when he suddenly discovered man Of com manding presence standing silently be- fore him.
 Tacon sprang to his feet in fear. but a gleaming weapon in his hand pre- vented an outcry.
 Resume your seat" quietly remark ed the stranger. If you raise an alarm, will kill you"
 Tn the name of the Virgin. who are you that can pass my guards unan- nounced?" gasped Tacon.
 No matter. am here with informa- ton you wish. You have offered re- ward of $50.000 in gold for the capture of Marti, the contrabandist, and have proclaimed guaranty of pardon and protection to any one of his band who will betray him?"
 "Yes!" faltered' the terrified Cuban ruler.
 That was months ago. No man lives who dare attempt to earn that re- ward. Marti has many ships and des- perate men. All your revenue cutters and men-of-war have not suppressed him. He rules the Caribbean. His chests hold more gold than your treas- ury. Your administration Is disgraced. Are the reward and guaranty of pro- tection meant by you in good faith?"
 Certainly! Are you one of Marti's band?"
 Have patience, your excellency. Suppose I were Marti himself?" Ia con paled visibly at this. Would this reward and guaranty apply to me?"
 The governor-general was overcome and perplexed. As the intruder had intimated, all Spain was reviling him for his inability to cope with a single pirate king. Otherwse his administra- tion had been brilliant and successful. Even great and powerful men some- times grasp at mean expedients.
 "Yes-yes; were you Marti himself, the reward and pardon should be Iyours!'
 Under the queens seal?"
 "Yes, under the queens seal" Ta- con looked at his herculean guest for a moment and timidly resumed: Will you now reveal your secret?"
 Patience! Not yet. We will speak of another matter" The governor general writhed under the enforced di- plomacy. "Supposing,T barely suppos- ing, I were the infamous outlaw him. fself, would not peace with still greater concessions prove triumph to the Ta- con government?-proNdin those con- sessions could harm no one, and would prove of public benefit?"
 Come straight to the bargain you would make" almost pleaded the gov ernor-general.
 "It is," said the stranger coolly, lad ditlonal guaranty of the sole control of the fishing privileges of Havana while I live"
 Tacon paced the apartment for a time nervous and distraught. Finally turning to the mysterious stranger, he said:
 And if this is granted, how can you assure me of your power to execute such trust creditably to my govern ment and to the public?"
 T will satisfy you on that score be- fore I leave the place."
 '"Then I unreservedly grant all you ask"
 General Tacon," said the stranger gravely, "on your knightly word oe honor do you promise this?"
 "I do solemnly! And now, in the name of the Virgin, who are you?"
 "I am"
 "Marti" exclaimed Tacon trembl- ing with fear.
 Francisco Marti: sometimes called 'Pancho,' your excellency. and no | otherw
 | Tacon was overwhelmed with the consciousness of the tremendous con- cessious granted, and the realization that he stood defenceless and power- less before the most dreaded and dan gerous of men. Noticing his alarm, Marti said. as he gave his weapons to the astonished official, l Preserve these as mementos of an easy conquest. Your excellency will ac- cept the 50,00O in gold as a token of Martis friendship and loyalty. Much more shall be at Tacon's com mand, that he may make his adminis- tration greater than that of any other whoever ruled Cuba" l With this the famous pirate strode out of the place. Tacon saw that the sleepy guards who had permitted the outlaw to pass them were shot in the plaza of Moro castle within an hour. after which he enjoyed the first nights peaceful sleep he had ever known since he had be- come governors general of Cuba. VI. On this night 8 motley crew of Gipsy musicians from the canon of Lluyano. led by an enormous Gipsy of shaggy