Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-11-28
CHAPTER XI.


word she was indisposed and to remain
at the hotel She had very bravely Of
fered to be ON hand and with me up to
the moment I disappeared through the
door, but fearing that in the excitement
some of the soldiers might say on do
something insulting forbade her being
on the scene. had had an unusually
large number of visitors during the day.
I felt but little anxiety over the result,
save only on the side of Captain Cur
tin. had a sort of suspicion or presen-
timent that, once fairly outside Of the
barracks, l would run against him. The
day passed rapidly away, and 6 o'clock
came, and all the civil officials, with
the horde of hangers on, departed, leav-
ing the usual evening solitude in the
barracks. Soon Num- came with my
supper and cautiously produced a re-
volver and belt. I strapped the belt
around me under my vest and braces,
placing the revolver under apple OF
clothing. Num- reported everything all
right. He had seen Curtin that day as
usual around the hotel and apparently
unsuspicious Of anything unusual going
on.
The window l was to jump out of
opened on the public street, and the
street would be jammed full of people
at the hour was going. OF course there
were good many chances of failure,
chiefly so because all the police from
top to bottom knew me by sight, and if
one of them happened to be one of the
half hundred witnesses Of my jump he
might have wit enough to seize me.
Mum and my friend were to be un-
der the window ready to act according
to circumstances, above all to be ready
to seize hold of any one who manifested
any intention to detain me. Num- was
full Of courage and hope. At o'clock
he went away, not to see me until we
met outside the barracks. l called the
guard and three or four idle soldiers
into my room and served them out lib
eral doses of brandy. Unluckily enough,
however, the one ON duty would drink
but lightly. Soon after s Consul Gen
eral Torbert came in to smoke a cigar
and have a chat. He remained until
nearly 10 and then departed. Then I
felt the hour had indeed come. 1 thrust
the revolver inside my shirt and rolled
up cap and put it in the same place;
then, calling the sentry, gave him
drink and cigar, and stepping out into
the hall began my usual march around
through the upper rooms of the bar
racks. l was to go out of the window at
precisely 10. 1t wanted ten minutes of
that time. 1t was long ten minutes to
me, but 1 marched around putting my
cigar unconcernedly, with my eye ON
the door was to slip through. At the
hour I had my watch in my hand and
was in the room farthest from the dool
of exit into the room opening on the
street I walked swiftly through the
two intervening rooms, and so was for
n hriof four five rv0onds out OF sight
Of the slow following sentinel l reach
ed the door, opened it, stepped through
and instantly locked it. In 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 I 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. I had my hand ON my revolv-
er and had so strong belief 1 should
every second be confronted by Curtin
that was strangely surprised when
saw no sign of the gentleman. In less
time than it takes to tell it l was down
into an open hallway and then into a
room. l and Mum, who were smooth
faced, were given bushy whiskers and a
cloak In the meantime / paid an agent
In waiting $40, 900 in French and Span
ish notes. Then we hurried out of the
rear into a 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. I had been a captive
and now was free. The sights and sounds
all around me took ON a deeper purpose
and more significant meaning than
they had ever borne before.
I 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 tc
avoid them. Once had fright. Two
men ON horseback riding on the sandy
road were almost ON me before l saw OF
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
I was very well content as pitched my
camp for the day. 1 had n royal feast
then, after cigar, lay down to sleep il
another fairy bower and'slept until moor
and awoke to find myself wondering
how matters were going with Captain
| Curtin in Havana, rather amused ovel
the state of chagrin / knew he must bC
In. l thought of a possible future meet
ing some years ahead when, all danger
over, would see and chaff him ovel
the bottle of Cliquot and the $50, 900 hi
wouldn't have, and how 1 went all the
same and saved the money.
/ realized must be frugal or my pro
visions would never hold out, so after {
light lunch I began to make my way
slowly to the beach through the tangled
maze Of trees and vines. Coming il
sight of the blue waters, lay down t.
sleep again and awoke when the star
were out. The moon would not go dowI
| till late, but rs there was deep, broad
shadow cast l walked in it.
Good food and the long day of res
restored my strength. All my confidence
returned, and l made good progress
At last the moon went down, and theI
pressed rapidly forward, always witt
revolver in hand ready for instant &C
tion. 1 think made fully % miles thi
night, but as the coast was indented m,
progress in straight direction was no
more than half that distance Just as i
began to grow gray in the east cam
out ON wide inlet. 1t ran deep into tn
land. recognized it from my map a
Puerto del Cato, and then knew wa
i'll the province Of Pinar del Rio anC
almost out of danger.