Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-06-06
e.ribe. Whenever remember them have
an overpowerirg feeling for revenpo

al oNcrpoWtflHg ieeilHg Tor revenge
"On our fourth expedition l was CAP
tured again. This time we loaded our
vessel and got away without any trouble.
We even reached our landing place all
right and had part of our cargo ashore.
Then suddenly we saw Spanish gunboat
heading for us and knew that our only
hope lay in putting out to sea and making
run for it. This was on June Il. 1896.
Leaving all but II of our crew of Al
to guard the cargo we steercd for the OMEN
sea and succeeded in keeping out of range
for about seven miles Then We had to
surrender or be sunk. SO we SURRENDERED
and were taken to Matanzas and thrown
into horrible dungeons.
After being ironcd in Matanzas for
about two weeks We were taken to MORO
Castle, where We found things even worse.
Each man was kept alone constantly in
the dark, damp cells, unvcntilated and
without any plumbing We were given
no bedding whatever, and cleanliness was
absolutely impossible. We Were forced TO
simply live in filth.
While imprisoned here our only food
was tortillas and foul water. Every day
the guards came in TO tie us so the head
guard could venture in and inspect us.
This individual had habit Of pruddny
me with his swoISl, and | carry several
wounds today, the result of his cruelty.
Just let me ever lay hands on him
while am able to defend myself. Twill
have revenge to the utmost.
Through some diplomatic arrangement
all we prisoners We're sent To Madrid, the
intention being to try us over there and
n ra.,s, -.
people so as To make general impression
that the administration was really doing
something i'll the Cuban war
But for some reason the trial never
came off, nor We're we allowed communi-
cation with the outside world. We asked
to sec the American minister, but were
only laughed at for making the request.
I'VE lay in this Madrid prison for
months, each day our hopes growing less
and less, but we were not without friends.
and they were working strcnuuusly for us
all the while. Cuban friends were doing
all In their power to free us. They did
not resort to any diplomacy either.
I'm this case our good angel was n
young Cuban girl named Leila Morrita.
At the time she was only 10 years old and
filled with enthusiasm for the freedom CT
her country. No work was too hazardous
for her, and, be 1t said, she has never fail
cd yet
I'm order to release Us her first work
was To go 10 Madrid, where she was n rcr-
feet stranger, and find out our where
abouts. She passed herself off as a young
girl from thecountry, and nobody susIect-
ed THAI she was not Spanish.
After locating cur prison she proceeded
to get acquainted with our guards With
the night watch she became very friendly
and often came to the prison at night to
have chat with him.
"llc pointed out our cells. When she
had all the information she desired, she
laid her plans
"Onc night she visited him, and after a
short time bid him goodby. He thought
she had left the prison, but she only went
down the corridor and concealed herself i'm
corner There she waited until the
guard, rs Spanish guards will, bobbed his
head and fell into a doze.
Then Leila stole up gently and held
bottle of chlorofHm under his nose In u
few moments he was stupefed.
Hastily taking the keys from the sense
less guard, our brave delivcrcr soon I'M
locked the prison doors and led Us oct TO
liberty. She had everything prepared for
US and soon had Us safely and comfortably
housed
"Of course our escape was discovered
the next day The guard was sent to
prison for number of years Noparticu-
lar search WAS made for us, because a
steamer for America had left the very
night wa escaped from the prison, and it
was thought we were surely on board
so we were forced TO make quite a
visit in Madrid We left the city under
assumed names and in tho most public
manner"