The record-union., 1894-06-16

ural philologist, had already acquired
familiarity with the African tongue
spoken by the blacks of this region, who
then numbered nearly forty thousand
souls.
Miguel had noticed that this proficiency
apparently rendered him dreaded by,
rather than a favorite with, such of the
hundreds of slaves he daily, met upon his
fathers plantation or who, from time to
time, accompanied him upon his various
deep woods excursions, and on the day
III question this acquisition was the cause
OF nearly sealing his fate. though 1t Incl
IDENTIFY led to the marvellous saving OF hu-
man life.
lie had with him a black named Pietro.
A score OF the hueta had been dispatched
in the outskirts OF the forest which then
surrounded the emlnence upon which
Manaca Isnaga now stands. Prompted
by spirit of daring Miguel announced
his determination 10 Pietro of pushing
into the forest depths above. The slave
at first expressed surprise and horror at
his temerty, and finally refused to ac-
company him. Miguel struck him to the
ground with the flat side of his machete
blade. Recovering from the blow Pletro
with savage threat dashed past him into
the jungle.
Both to recover and punish the slave,
as alarming disatlection among the blacks
OF Vale del Aguacate had recently been
observed, and with the flush of adventure
upon him, Miguel pushed fearleSsly on.
Hours were consumed in penetrating the
jungle the little distance OF a mile. The
night shadows were even falling when he
finally discovered pathway apparently
leading to the summit of the mountain
beneath us.
Bending over the path he examined it
closely. No Cuhan's foot had ever
touched its beaten surface; but the inn
print of the protruding heel and sprawl
ing toes of hundreds or negroes feet were
plainly to be seen. a sense of forebod-
ing filled his mind, but with it came an
uncomfortable fascination TO probe the
mystery.
The path led over torturous course up
these very rocks below us and at last
entered, through a small natural archway
or cleft in the stone, wide. level space
at the summit of the mountain. comprls-
ing, as you will notice by its contour,
about one cabelleria of land. 1t was
almost night as he pushed through the
archway. He could discern nothing in
the darkness, but he soon became con-
scious of the presence of stealthy moving
forms of beasts or humans about him.
Grasping his rifle he sprang aside from
the path, planted his back firmly against
a small mahogany tree, and listened and
waited while the faint rustling among the
ferns, grasses and MOSES gradually be-
came more painfully distinct.
''Pietron' he at last called impatiently
but kindly, here is your master, Miguel.
Come, we will return together to La De-
licia."
Instantly powerful blow from club
sent his rifle flying from his hand. Out
from the ferns and grasses black claws
grasped his feet. From behind, other
black claws clutched and held his body
against the tree. Then half a score of
black forms and faces rose before him.
He was bound with thongs of the tough
espartillo grass, led silently along the
pathway for a short distance and brought
TO little opening where he could see there
were many huts and great numbers of
negroes, and where lie was detained
while a whispered conversation was
held.
One voice, which ne recognized as Pie
tro's, was vehement for his instant death.
Others even insisted that he should be
made the victim Of cannibaliSm. But at
last a deep, sonorous voice was heard.
This one decided that his death should be
postponed for the present, as some adj
vantage might thus be possibly gained.
Miguel was then led to large pen,
thatched with broad leaves of the palma
the llaya, pierced for rifles, into which he
was thrust. But the blow he received in
the face from Pietro's clenched fist as be
was shut within the structure was moth
ing to the terror and apprehension caused
by the mere name of the one from whom
his temporary respite had come.
That name was Cangaiito.
1t was name which sent a shudder to
every white mans heart in Southern
Tf ah loA th
very air with deep and abiding dread.
1t lent fear TO every hedge. a poison to
every flower. a hidden enemy to every
covert a horror To every night, and it
was one which had palsied the entire fair
Aguacate region almost with hopeless
ness and despair.
Congalito was an Importation from Ja-
maica by the enemies of the slave sys-
tenn in Cuba. 1t was even whispered
the destruction of the slave trade was the
secret power behind his mission. He
was huge African who mad been petty
king in his native jungles. To the igno-
rant and superstitIous Aguacate slaves he
was to be Messiah aud deliverer, who
should lead them to freedom and abso-
lutte possession of the land. Through
him all of Cuba south of the central
mountain range was to become the black
These prophecies had secretly preceded
him, while the blacks by turns became
ecstatic and insolent. When Cangalito
fiually appeared he seemed ubiquitous.
He was here, there, everywhere. 1t is
said that after he had reached Cuba no
white man ever looked him and lived.
Organized pursuit only met with disas-
ter. Even OloodhoundS were of no avail.
Pack after pack was put to flight. or muir
dered like rabbits by the mysterious and
African. Many of the pursu-
ing hounds were found beheaded, or their
bodies severed by a single machette blow.
The man grew bolder, and left written
demands upon the pillows of planters
beds that their slaves should be at once
freed. At last strong military eXpedi-
tons were sent against him into the jun
giles and mountains. They found no trace
of Cangalito, but Immediately after the
return of each expedition to Trinidad the
officer would be found dead
in his bed.
Finally an oath-bound organization of
planters was formed for his extirpation.
A code of signals was introduced by
which, should his presence be learned of
at any particular point, hundreds of
armed men could almost instantly mass
and surround him. knowledge OF this
seemed to reach the black Messiah, and
for time his activity apparently ceased.
1t was during this period of fancied
security that young Miguel had been
captured and imprisoned upon the
mountain beneath US, and had realized
not only that he was in Cangalito's
power, but that some terrible plot was
maturing for an uprising Of
the blacks of the district