Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-06-30

and who we were. We told him that
we were New York World correspond
ents and that we had dropped the re-
volvers as we ran. He sent men out to
find them, who in short time brought
them in, together with the camera and
Jones coat, which had been left under
the bush.
When they found our arms, they sent
US with large guard to La Lucia,
which we could see about quarter Of
mile away. When we arrived at the
headquarters, we were put in charge of
Lieutenant Asin. The major directed us
to be united and the ropes taken off and
at once ordered wine and cigarettes to
be brought u In short time we were
placed in a room in the front of the
house, where we had to strip and be
searched. They took everything away
from us that we had. Then they separat-
ed us and took our statements separate
ly, to which the lieutenant said that he
would not require us to take oath. This
was the only examination or trial that
we had while there. The Spaniards de-
tailed q soldier who could speak Eng
lish to look after Jones and put me in
room in the back of the house with
two sentries in front Of my door
From some things that overheard l
thought that some Of the officers wanted
to have us shot, although I may be
wrong, Certainly our treatment there
was of the very best. In fact, we were
treated moro as guests than as prison
ers The Spaniards came to our rooms
and visited us and kept us supplied
with cigarettes and cigars and drinks
and reading matter when they had very
little themselves, as they were IL miles
from Guanajay, which was their base
of supplies I could not make up my
mind why they treated us so we'll, as
certainly did not deserve it. Whether it
was the natural chivalry of the Spaniard
or because they liked Jones so well, I
could not tell. AS soon as we were
taken prisoners Jones had begun to
sketch some Of the officers and men, and
these sketches seemed to take with them
and pleased them greatly. He really did
some very fine work for some of them.
We were kent there all day the 18th.
On the morning of the 14th they took
us out with our arms tied together. I'm
der charge Of Lieutenant Asin we set
out for Guanajay. When we arrived
there, we were placed in room, closely
guarded, to await the orders of General
Hernandez de Velasco, who was in COM
mand. He and two officers came to see
us, and they told me to have no fear,
that we would get out Of it all right.
The general ordered the same lieu
tenant to take us to Havana and deliver
us to Cabanas fortress that afternoon.
We were given lunch and some Of the
officers sent us in coffee and cigarettes,
and everybody was very courteous to
us. At 3 O'Clock eight guardia civiles
came around and tying US wrist to
wrist started for the railroad station.
1t was the first time that we were able
to speak together since we were prison
ers. AS we stepped out into the street
it began to rain, and it came down in
sheets, SO that by the time we reached
the depot we were as wet as we possibly
could be. The lieutenant ordered the
rope taken off of US, and we were. put
into the train. 1t was a raw day, and
hoped that we would not be sick on
account of the wetting We arrived in
Havana at 6 O'Clock, shivering so that
everybody thought that we were fright
ened. There was a crowd waiting for us
at Villanuava station, Havana, but the
lieutenant saw that there was liable to
be trouble So, tying US together again,
so tight that it stopped the circulation
in our hands, he took us out side en-
trance into Industrial street. We were
taken through back and unfrequented
streets until we arrived at the head
quarters Of the civil guard beside the
governor generals palace. There was a
fierce mob of people behind us all the
time clamoring for our death. So we
were taken into the building and given
stronger guard. When we were taken
out to go down to the wharf, which
was only block away, the crowd was
almost crazy, and the guards had hard
work keeping them away from us. They
did their best to brighten us into shout
ing "Yiva Espana!" was glad that
Jones could not understand them. He
walked along with cigarette in his
mouth and smile on his face as if he
was used to this sort of thing every day.
When we arrived at the wharf, there
was delay about boat for several
minutes.
l really thought that the mob would
take us away from the soldiers. AS it
was, the faces of the guard were white
and the lieutenant held his sword half
drawn. There is no doubt in our minds
that he at least would have defended us
with his life. Finally boat came and
we were rowed across the entrance of
the harbor and conducted into Cabanas
AS we crossed the moat pointed out to
Jones the place where the prisoners are
shot and he said that he guessed that
he would stand up there all right if r.
had to. We were taken directly before
General Gomez de Roberti, who is in
command of the fort, and we found
him to be one of the kindest hearted
old gentlemen that we had ever met
He saw how the ropes cut US and order
ed them to be taken off at once, although
we had not complained. Our hands
xvora r,Trn1c and xroS SO,,o t;,~,, H.,