The record-union., 1896-12-25

ana In a minute more the black shape
of forty-foot coaster was seen darting
out in our direction. Away steamed the
filibuster, and behind, emerging from
the shadow along the shore, came the
coaster The moon came from behind
the clouds, and the Spaniard, with
frowning guns mounted upon her deck,
steamed at full head towards u.s.
For a few minutes the excitement
continued, and then a flash lit UP the
Spaniard. Then came the crack of a
tWo-pounder, and then there was the
hiss of shell a few rods to starboard
Word was passed on the fiiibuSter
that all must fight, and a few men
broke open the rifle and cartridge boxes
and soon the entire party was armed
Again came a flash from the coaster,
and another solid shot splashed in the
water or the starbord side several rods
nearer the vessel. Pursued and pur-
suer were each under full steam and
smoke was pouring from their fun
nels. They were now about 500 yards
apart. Then the Spaniard fired for the
third time, the shot falling few rods
astern of US, but in a direct line.
Use the HotchkiSS, commanded
Major Morales. Gunner Michael Walsh,
who with his crew had stood by the
twelve FOUNDER in the bow, heard the
command with joy, and called out TO
Captain O'Brien to swing the ship
around. In a minute the filibuster
was almost broadside to the coaster.
The latuers gun doomed for the fourth
time, but the smoke had not cleared
beloved forth and sent a shrapnel
shell between the short masts of the
coaster squarely over her engines and
'Vitals.' Unfortunately the shell did not
burst, for if it had there would have
been very few Spaniards left to tell the
tale. The Spaniards seemed, however
paralyzed by fear 1t was the first
time in the Cuban war that blibuster
had returned shot for shot Several
men on the lower deck opened fire with
their rifles, and this was followed by
a rafting volley by the men on the
upper deck.
The shrapnel fired from the Hotch-
kiss ended the fight, as the Spaniard
began sailing away, firing rockets call
ing for assistance. First a white light
shot up, and was answered by a red
light from the mountains behind
The call for assistance was prompt
ly answered for While the filibuster
was swinging into position to allow
the Hotchl,ss to play upon the enemy
a gunboat double the size of the coaster
appeared on the port she opened fire
upon US with heavy gun, hlt she did
not have our range, and to- shells
burst far ahead.
Gunner Walsh ranmlei another
shrapnel into the gun on the PROV,
sighted it for the newcomer. and
yanked the lanyard. There came a
roar that shook the sea and the hills
and echoed and e-echoed in she dis
tance The shell few straight for the
gunboat and burst directly over her
1t was answered by a still heavier
thunder from the gunboat, returning
the fire of shell with shell. The shot
from the Span:ard disabled two of the
landing boats of the filibuster, but did
no other damage.
THE Hotchkiss was again loaded
with shrapnel, and the next discharge,
aimed with splendid skill by the gun
ners ON the Three Friends, struck the
=
warship seemed to lose their heads.
Whether the cruiser was actually dis
abled or not, no one on the Three
Friends knows, for the Three Friends
put on steam, leaving the warship pos
sibly disabled, but at all events silent
and helpless, a defeated enemy out of
sight behind point of land.
"As the cargo of the Three Friends
was being landed the Spanish coast pa
troll came up, and a fierce fight ensued
between them and the Cubans sent to
escort the cargo into camp. After two
hours of fighting the Spaniards We're
driven off, and the cargo was landed
and safely carried into the interior
The vessel then lay to for several
hours in secluded cove. and started
for Florida last Monday. She was pur-
sued by several gunboats as she en-
tered the windward passage. and ball
from one of them tore - hole in her bull
warks. A barrel of oil on the furnace
fires soon ran up the steam, and the fast
craft crept away. Emerging from the
keys two cruisers hove in sight, and a
race ensued. Captain Lewis ran in
among the keys, and escaping from the
Spanish war vessels reached American
waters"
THE THREE FRIENDS SEIZED.
KEY WEST Fla-), Dec. 24.-The
(. Three Friends arrived at this port to-
right, and was Immediately taken into
custody by customs officials. A thor
ough search was made of her. and moth
ing of ammunition found on board.