Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-09-03
ON THE VERGE OF DOOM.

craving IltJIe eAclIeH4eHI' lel' H'l
home in New Orleans, and enlisted in
the cause of Cuban liberty.
In few days I was on a fourth-rate
steamer, freighted with arms, ammu-
milton and provisions, intended for the
use of the insurgents on the war-dis-
tracted island of Cuba.
On the northwest coast, about 80
miles from Baracoa there is a natural
cove, well sheltered by fringe of
mountain pines, and it was the aim of
our captain to reach this cove, where
the Cuban patriots had for weeks been
expecting assistance from their sympa-
thizers in the United States.
For two days we lay off at safe
distance from the shore, awaiting an
opportunity to elude the vigilance of
the Spanish gunboats, and run IN
when, through a dense fog. we dis
cerned the outline Of a government
cruiser bearing directly for US.
1t was impossible to escape, for our
steamer was as slow as tortoise, so
we resolved to fight. We knew that
capture meant death, and we, there
fore, determined to sell our lives dear
ly. The conflict lasted only - min
utes, and we We're boarded and cap
tured, after we had slain six of the
crew of the Spanish gunboat.
Our force consisted Of 80 men that
of the enemy was treble ours. In six
hours we went ashore, at little vii
lage called Paramento, cIosely-guard-
ed prisoners.
For fourteen days we bore our cap
tivity with much anxiety, for we had
not been informed Of the fate in store
for us. On the 18th day an officer en-
tered the large room in which the So
ofus were confined, called on us to pay
strict attention and announced that
we were 70 be taken ont and shot on
tbo morrow
An hour later he returned to ex-
nIain that he had made a mistake.
The mercifnI Spanish government
wonId he satisfied with six lives instead
Of "a We had killed six Of the crew
Of tbe onnboat and il was 70 be a life
e., I;fo
"Goo+Iomor i will ba Inv Iot Of
oorrso - bo continual as he bowed and
.,1,l n,nd o,, boro 70 o,.orsoo tba
1 coo,1boro Loro % rb;to
ho.,,s ,,d s;v bI,cl, ones will nnt
,Laa, oon ond o,ob oortIomor
will stor m and draw vas his name !.
o.IIo5" "
When he had a-ponpcod that all
,roro 70 he shot T heard no Iamentinp
IN tho contrary mon moved about saw
inc that it was what we had been ex-
pecting. and that we would die like
men, I.ips were compressed. but I did
NOT see one pale face. THIS new an
nopncemept created something like a
manic ONLY six were to die. Thirty
two wonId be sent to prison but all Of
them would live to see home and friends
again. In 60 seconds the face of ev-
erv man was ghastly. In two minutes
all were trembling. Mild-eyed men
glared about them like wild beasts
driven to bay, and there were lip:
which bled from the hard-set teeth
"Gentlemen. nv clerk will call the
roll and Won will draw the beans. said
tbe officer. as he made ready. Each
man nnst show his bean as he draws
and those who draw black ones must
stand over bv the windows Now. then
are vou readv?"
"Tbe clerk could speak and writ,
English, and he had our names in al
phabetical order. The first name called
was that of Anson, and he hesitated &
few seconds before advancing. Die
anyone hope he would draw blacl
baan2 believe that every man o