New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-07
CAPTIVE FOR A FEW HOURS.
Continued from First Page.


Krunp gums Of the battery silent. and
pretty effect was caused by the white smoke
wreaths curling up from the roofs OF the niue
settlement Cojmar showing up dain.ily against
the gray-green slopes OF the Cuban hills Four
miles down the coast the grim old tower or
Moro stood frownng n silent guardian OF the
Cuban capital whose roofs already rejected the
red glow Of the declining sun 1t was me
picture Of Cuba In siesta.
THE STRANGER PURSUED.
Suddenly the feeling Of calm was broken by
the electric call Of "a chase" which echoed from
the stern Of the Spencer. The Annapolis had
nut her helm hard a-starboard and. putting on
full steam was cleaving the waters In a north
east direction Her dark tunnels belched out
clouds of black smoke the stokers piied coal
In the furnaces. and every effort was mace 70
drive the gunboa. at a high speed On the
horizon could be seen the faintest trace Vi
smoke This was the quarry OF the American
warship. and circling swiftly. shc was OH AT
full cry after her prey
The stranger came rapidly up even with the
skyline and the marine glasses soon mace her
out 10 be n big liner. with red tunnels. heaoihs
straight for Havana on she came under tui
steam. carrying q bone in her teeth. AS the
sailors say when a steamer or other vessel Is
throwing up n roll OF white water forward AZ
she drives through the water with GOOD speed
There seemed to be no doubt that the stranger
was bent on running through the blocKaaihs
squadron and getting under the guns OF MORO
Castle, II possible. before being overhauieo'
But within five minutes. from as many dif-
ferent directions three OF Uncle Sans war
ships which had been drifting IDLY on the
iropic sea had been galvanized into life, at
tracted by the chase and speedily joined IN the
attemot 10 block the strangers entrance to
Havana.
While the Annapolis was rushing down upon
the chase I'm the distance the Wilmington ana
the Newport were also bearing down upon he9'
end the Morrill, which had been nosng up
toward the Associated Press dispatch-b boat. also
saw game afoot and swung around across the
path Of the liner a sort OF David challenging
Goliath; for the Morrill, is only a smart ilt'e
revenue cutter. now acting as a d.spatch-Doa'
and a member OF IN" so-called mosquito meet
ORDERED TO HEAvE TO.
The Annapolis however. had been doing such
I'm. work with her engines that she overhaued
the stranger two miles ahead 81 the Morrii'
There was fash pun Of white smoke TO the
loeward followed by the seemingly LONG delayed
boom ~ n gun fired down the wind. which an
uourced tina, Uncle Sam had ordered the
stranger To heave 10. The liner obeyed and the
Morrill, and the Associated Press dispatch-boat
started on a ncck-and- neck race FOR the big
prize.
The SO, bcyond the shelter OF tho coast was
then running what would have been Dig
connhcrs had they not been broken into spout
ing gcyscrs by the strong current OF the Gun
Therefore, both the small boats raced along
under a smother Of white spray. the two crews
excitedly leaning out ~ the pilot-house doors
and windows and hanging on the rigging as 'he
two saucy. small croft tossed about ana stag
rored along. side by side. through the ch'ppy
water. .
IN tho mean time boat from the Annapolis
had boarded the Frenchman. as the stranger
was then made out by his colors to be- TN
hoarl tho liner n crowd OF excited passengers
nressed anxlousy about the vesseVs SIDE Up
from the south the gray hulk OK the winning
ton. with her men AZ quarters. ana the uP"-
cately lined Newport we're looming UP rdpiu'S'
A mornen. OF so later the three warshlps lay by
III tho boat from the Annapolis started back
from the liner 70 the gunboat. Then. suddenly
70 the establishment OF all on board the war
ships. the Frenchman blew long queruious
whistle and put on full steam ahead. pointing
STOPPED SECOND TIME
4 sharp word ~ command rang out on board
the annapolis and In less time than II takes TO
pencil these words her crew were Mt quarters
and the muzzle OF every gun Of her starooard
broadsiis was pointing in deadly earnest straight
at the runaway Then the big after-gun roared
forth a hoarse order from over her starboari
quarter. while the crews Of the other guns
looked NJ anxiously. eager 20 follow suit hut
IN, warning note had It's effect The big liner
..ga!n stopped her engines and then set them
going astcrn. white columns OF steam from her
escape pipes telling Of the nigh pressure below
pleading for release.
The Wilmington and the Morrill,. however.
had already started across the Lafayette's path.
But their services were not necessary. FOR the
rrenchman no longer dared to make run for it,
Then there was long period Of "wg-wag
ging' between the Annapolis and the Whining
ton in the dus six OF the evening. the sun dropping
behind the horizon and the night falling over
the scene like n drop-curtain. for there !s no
twilight In these ATTITUDES. Therefore. later
electric signals succeeded the flags and there
was nervous period OF rigging and blinking
red and white questions and answers.
The signalling continued for almost an hour.
possibly longer. while the puzzled dispatch
boats gathered in the weak moonlight. almost
rolling their boilers out In the northeast swell
as they lmpatiently awaited the solution OF the
signal consultation.
PRIZE CREW PIT ABOARD
At T:45 p m the Annapolis and the Whining
ton lowered boats. with officers. and boarded
the Frenchnan. Their examination of the liner
was soon over and after the boats had returned
to their respective ships prize crew from the
Wilmington put on board the Lafayette.
and ut $50 last night the big Frenchman was
headed north. and escorted to Key West
under the guns OF the Wilmington. She anchor
I'd here this morning.
The French Line steamer Lafayette was built ut
Grccnock Scotland by Scott & Co. in 1864 This
steamer. with the Washington OF the same l!ne
began tho French line service this port. The
captain OF the Lafayette on her first trip TO New