Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05

the butt of his revolver was quite enough.
The money was handed over, followed by
many maledctions, but not until Mirabal
and his companions were out of hearing.
His Romantic Marriage.
His favorite way Of raising revenue was
to kidnap the owner of some wealthy es-
tate and hold him prisoner for ransom.
Thousands of dollars were raised in this
way, most of which were used to pave the
way for the present revolution. But there
came time when life found another charm
for the bold and gentlemanly bandit.
Chance one day brought him face to face
with very beautiful young lady. She was
visiting the suburbs of Santa Clara, but
lived in Puerto Principe. 1t was Mirabars
fate. Neither adventure nor gold longer
had any charm for him. He could think
only of two beautiful eyes in Camaguey,
and hither he followed them, but not
Nicasio Miraba1. A handsome and quietly
dressed man suddenly appeared in the city
of Puerto Principe, and there took up his
residence, doing business under the name
of Rafael Roche. Every one respected and
esteemed him as one of the most pros
porous merchants of Camaguey. Soon after
he carried his bride, the young lady with
beautiful eyes. to his charming little villa
in the edge of the city, and there they
lived, happily and peacefully, for over
three years. To her alone he told the story
of his past, but she loved him and it did
not matter.
all over the province describing '.MirabaI.
the outlaw" and Offering a heavy reward
for his capture, dead or alive. Rafael
Roche used to read these reports of his
escapades with great interest and make &C.
CO sonal suggestions for the possible cap
tire of the bandit.
With all the officials he was hand and
glove and held several prominent posi-
tiers of trust most satisfactorily. When
the captain general, Salamanca paid toward
Puerto Principe an official visit, Mirabal
(or Roche) was selected to lead the escort
of hundred men who went to welcome
the chief dignitary of the island.
But the old saying, Murder will out,
came true in his case, as 1t has in many
others. Some secret service agent from
Santa Clara one day recognized Roche as
the famous outlaw and communicated the
fact to the guardia civilla. Forty of them
surrounded his house that night. Mirabal
was alone with his wife, dreaming of any
thing but danger. But his wife was always
apprehensive for his safety. She it was
who first discovered the forty dark riders
who were cautiously approaching the
house. They did not come boldly up, for
they knew from experience that he would
fight it out to the death, and that some of
them would never again see the morning.
Narrow Escape From Capture.
Mirabars horse was tied near the front
door, and they felt sure that he would make
rush for it. But he didn't. From one of
guardia civillia, while his wife cleared the
way for an escape by the rear. Then the
brave little woman took his place, and
blazed away at the enemy in front, while
her husband rushed out of the back door,
taking the guards by surprise and success
fully fighting his way through them, gained
the open and leaped on the back of a rider
less horse, which bore him to the woods and
safety.
Once more he was, by virtue of necessity
an outlaw and remained such until the be-
ginning of the present revolution, when he
Immediately took the field for the freedom
and independence of Cuba. When the first
detachment of young men from Camaguey
sprang to arms they found waiting for
them LOG rifles and barrel of ammunition
which Mirabal had collected. When Gem
eral Gomez. in June of 1895 entered Cana
guey short of ammunition, Mirabal took his
little party of tried veterans and captured
the fortified town Of Alta Gracia, thirteen
miles from Porte Principe, turning over all
the much-needed military stores to the
Army of Liberty"
One incident only has occurred to mar
M1rabaPs military career. The Spanish
government, realizing Mirabals wonderful
bravery and knowledge of the country, sent
him an offer of $40 600 in gold and the rank
of major If he would abandon the Cuban
cause and join the forces of Spain. This
fact was made known to Gomez who caused
his arrest and trial on the charge of con-
templated desertiOn to the enemy But
Mirabal proved his innocence so conclusive
ly that he was not only acquitted, but made
a colonel on Gomezs staff which rank he
now holds.