Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-17

ness, and held out his hands is IL he ex-
pected the irons placed on them.
"I'll be id II I'll do It," he added un-
der his breath.
Brainard turned away. Another man
hauled the white sheet to the foretop, and
the Uncas sped toward the harbor at top
speed. Powerful telescopes showed com
panies OF soldiers working like ants on
Morro's eastern batteries and brought the
big guns unfavorably close. Presently sheets
Of color futtered from Morros signal mast
They could not be read. Then they were
lowered and we set signal which read: II
wish to communicate with you"
An answer was raised from the fortress:
Await orders.'
The engines were stopped and the Uncas
rolled In the seaway. Through the glasses
we could see the gunners beside the big
| cannon.
Have a Long Wait.
We waited for an hour and half before
| we saw grayish speck developing into
| the little fourth class gunboat Flecha, with
| white table cloth floating from its stern.
| Meanwhile the Uncas had drifted about two
miles from shore. The Flccha rounded to
about a mile away broadside, as II inviting
| the Uncas further In. Probably 1t did not
| like the looks of the Mayfower and Vicks-
burg, who were about two miles seaward.
We ran toward the batteries again.
Come close" hailed the Spaniard. 1t
was Lieutenant Rollan Lopez of the ad-
miral's staff who spoke. He speaks Eng
lish. "Il come alongside in my small boat
answered Brainard, and at once stepped into
it, followed by knight.
A few minutes later Officer Brainard and
Knight stepped onto the Flecha. The Amer
lean shook hands in hearty fashion, while
Knight pressed his in British convention
ality. The Spaniards were punctiliously
polite. Brainard and Knight went below
and the speedy gunboat rounded Morro's
rocky point, stopping just outside the mines
in Havana harbor. The docks and quays
were jammed with people. The admirafs
launches came up and Brainard and knight
were invited on deck to meet General
Blanco's representative, colonel Of in.
fantry. Brainard explained his mission ant
Knight showed his credentials. Mr.. Gullon
the British consul general, came on boart
. and said that Thrall and Jones were safe.
The colonel of infantry departed will
Brainard's dispatch. Within half an hou
he returned with General Blanco's compi
ments, saying that Thrall and Jones woul
be willingly exchanged the moment tha
= | Gencral bldUCO ndu IeCeNcu py Napi
through Consul General Gullon the forma
notification from the American government
that Spanish officers held prisoners wer
sent in their place. The ship that brough
the Spanish officers to Havana would con
, vey the Americans to Key West.
Knight prepared to land, but the Spanis
, officers and Consul Gullon dissuaded hin
saying that the police and soldiers coul
not protect him from the mob. Knight de
cided to come back and take another .oppor
, tunty for landing in Havana.
Matters having been thus satisfactoril
! arranged Brainard and Knight retired to tn
Uncas which then headed for the Mayhowe
n and Brainard reported to Captain McKenzi
. and subsequently they returned to Ke
q West. Brainard is now in communicate
with Commodore Remey. If the SPANS
prisoners are started south from Atlant
h today there is no reason why Thrall an
Jones should not be free men by Wednesda.
! SYLVESTER SCOVEL.