Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-07
rhi6H1. 1895. 81 rne AUTHOR.

ed the door, opened it, stepped through
and instantly locked it. In a moment
was through the open window into the
little iron balcony outside One swift
glance showed me the street thronged
with people, but hesitation meant fail
ure and death.
! climbed lightly over the railing and
hung suspended for an instant from the
bottom. The crowd below made circle
from under, and dropped easily TO the
ground, bareheaded, of course Num-
was there and instantly clapped large
straw hat on my head. The strange in
cident did not seem to attract the least
notice, for in g moment we were lost in
the crowd. had my hand On my revolv-
er and had so strong belief / should
every second be confronted by Curtin
that was strangely surprised when I
saw no sign Of the gentleman. In less
time than it takes to tell it was down
into an open hallway and then into
room. l and Num-, who were smooth
faced, We're given bushy whiskers and
cloak. In the meantime paid an agent
i'll waiting $40, 900 in French and Span
ish notes. Then we hurried out of the
rear into cab and were driven to the
station. arriving just in time to catch
the 10 80 train.
The cab ride and train ride that night
were happy rides. had been a captive
and now was free. The sights and sounds
all around me took on deeper purpose
and a more significant meaning than
they had ever borne before.
struck the road leading to the beach
and marched westward, but it was an un-
known land, and was in constant fear
OF running against some military post
or patrol, being thus constantly delayed
by long halts to watch some suspicious
object or by making long detours to
avoid them. Once had fright. Two
men on horseback riding on the sandy
road were almost ON me before saw or
heard them, and only had time to sink
into the shadow as they passed almost
within reach Of my hand. Both were
smoking the everlasting cigarette and
were engaged in earnest talk. Daylight
came and found me not more than eight
or ten miles farther ON my journey, but
was very well content as pitched my
camp for the day. had royal feast,
then, after q cigar, lay down to sleep in
another fairy bower and slept until noon
and awoke to find myself wondering
how matters were going with Captain
Curtin in Havana, rather amused over
the state Of chagrin knew he must be
in. thought Of possible future meet
ing some years ahead when, all danger
over, would see and chaff him over
the bottle Of Cliquot and the $50, 900 he
wouldn't have, and how I went all the
same and saved the money.
realized must be frugal or nv pro-
visions would never hold out, SO after a
light lunch began to make my way
slowly to the beach through the tangled
maze of trees and vines. Coming in
sight of the blue waters, lay down to
sleep again and awoke when the stars
were ont. The moon would not go down
till late, but rs there was deep, broad
shadow cast walked in it.
Good food and the long day of rest
restored my strength. All my confidence
returned, and 1 made good progress
At last the moon went down, and then
pressed rapidly forward, Away. with
revolver in hand ready for instant &C
ton. think made fully 20 miles this
night, but as the coast was indented nv
progress i'll straight direction was not
more than half that distance. Just as it
began to grow gray in the east came
out on wide inlet. 1t ran deep into the
Land. recognized it from my map as
Rnprtn Al nd 7 7
IN the province Of Pinar del Rio and
almost out Of danger.
went into the bush again and pitch
ed camp, waiting for daylight to come
and reveal my surroundings. Pitching
camp consisted in scraping few leaves
together and lying down, but this morn
ing was too excited to sleep. I felt
that l was near my goal after having
safely gone through many dangers.
Once across the Puerto del Cato two
nights of travel would place me outside
OF the farthest Spanish pickets and bring
me among friends, far beyond chance of
pursuit. and also knew that the mere
knowledge of my presence in the rebel
camp would cause all thought of pursuit
to he dropped.
When daylight came, stood and
locked around. Across the inlet, 90
miles away. could see only dark masses
of green with no sign of life. To the
north the land was hiIly, with houses
here and there in the distance and signs
Of animal life cautiously searched the
shore for mile i'll the hope of finding
a boat TO cross to the other shore Of the
inlet, but none was in sight.
About 9 o'clock l saw smoke of at
sea, and soon made out small Span
ish gunboat coming rapidly up. Drop
ping anchor about mile up the inlet,
she sent boat ashore was feeling
sleepy, and going into the woods again
took light lunch, and employing one
bottle of water lay down to sleep, re-
solved to make my plans when I awol1e.
l did not like the appearance of this
gunboat. 1t seemed to promise the pres
ence of the enemy in force around me,
besides being visible manifestation of
the power Of that enemy
When 1 awoke from my nap, started
On cautious spying ont of the land,
making my way toward the head of the