The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-08-11
Mate Nevis lrlck.
How a Jack Took several spanish Prison

How Jack Took several spanish Prisoners
KEY WEST. FLA, Aug. 3-9.4 a. NJ.
Another .sJackie'' has achieved the repu-
tation of hero. He is Boatswain's Mate
Nevis, of the gunboat Bancroft, and the
tale of his yalor is not unmixed with hui
NOR One dav last week, the Bancroft,
accompanied by the converted yacht
Eagle. which had been covering the
blockadinp station around the Isle of
Pines, sighted small Spanish schooner
in Singuna bay. The Bancroft's steam
launch. in charge of Nevis and one sea-
man, each armed with rifle, was sent in
to take the schooner. This was only a
task of minutes and the launch returned
with the prize, which proved to be one
schooner Nito-little more than smack
and with no cargo.
Her captain was an American and with
him were his Cuban wife and seven chill
dren, vowing loyalty to the Cuban cause.
They pleaded poverty and that the Nito
was their only means of livelihood. Com
mander Glover of the Bancroft promised
TO return her at the proper time. Mean
while he sent Nevis in with her to anchor
near the wreck of the Spanish transatlantic
liner Santo Domingo, sunk by the Eagle a
few weeks ago. Then the Bancroft and
Eagle cruised off to Mangle Point, where
they happened to be put in commnnica-
ton with the insurgent camp. Two hours
later they returned. For time nothing
could be seen OF the launch or the prize.
Suddenly Commander Glover, who was
scanning the waters with his glass; shout
ed to Captain Sutherland of the Eagle:
by heavens, they have re-captured my
prize"
The little schooner lay near the wreck
ed steamer, but the Spanish flag was fly
ing from her mast and instead of only
Nevis and his companion, she was APP
parently Tiled with men.
Meanwhile the gunboat Maple had drawn
up and commander Glover was ordered
into the work of rescue. With guns ready
she steamed toward the schooner, but the
sight tina greeted her was not what was
expected. Nevis and his companion sat
at one end of the boat attempting to navi-
gate her out of the harbor Each had his
rifle across his knees and was keeping
wary eye on a party of half a dozen
covering Spaniards huddled in the other
end of the boat. The Maple asked for in
formation and offered Nevis a tow, but he
replied with a joke and declined the
preferred assistance. Then it developed
that in going into anchor he had observed
two other small Spanish boats near the
wreck of the Santo Domingo and had re-
solved TO capture them, too. He kne it
was hazardous work, but ''bluff'' carried
him through. He took the Spanish colors
of the schooner, ran them up and boldly
sailed in. There were six men on the
other boats and they watched the approach
of their supposed compatriots with calm
ness that speedily changed to consterna-
ton, when Nevis and the other "Jackie''
suddenly whipped their rifles to their
shoulders and demanded an immediate
surrender.
The scared Spanish seamen lost no time
in complying and had the unique expert
ence of surrending to their own flag.
Then, scorning all aid, Nevis took them
out to his ship and in the most matter Of
fact manner reported his adventure to his
astonished commander. The capture was
no mean one, for those six men gave i'm
portant information to the American ship.
They We're residents of the little town
of Cortes, province of Pinar del Rio,
situated about two miles from the Santo
Domingo wreck, on what is called Pirates
Lagoon, because in ancient days it was a
favorlte resort of the brethren of Capt.
Kidd
The town has population of ZOO, and
the only reason for its existence is that it
serves as depot for the Vuelta Abajo
tobacco district and contains a number of
large tobacco warehouses;
The Bancroft and Eagle would have
taken the town which is defended only by
hundred soldiers, but they could not
spare permanent force to protect the
non-cOm blatant men, women and children