Arizona republican., 1898-04-11
HOW A FILIBDSTERING EXPEDI-
 TON IS LANDED.

It was early on Sunday morning when we first sighted Cuba. The sea was like mirror; the gorgeous tints of the dawn mingled with the azure of the gulf water and spread over it myriad colors. In the distance the green coast loomed through a purple haze. The picture was so thrilling that all danger was forgotten in the rapture of the scene. Near us are two sailing vessels, but of those we take no notice A veteran of the ten years war is at the bow, glass in hand. The orders are to get ready for the landing. While approaching the shore the lookout man reports, Smoke on the starboard quarter!" Instead of beating a hasty retreat, we wait to investigate, and presently discover that the stranger is merchantmen, so the boat is lowered and party volunteer to go ashore and reconnoitre. In a very short time they come back and re- port everything favorable and all start to busy themselves with unloading the precious cargo. While the work is proceeding. voice is heard coming from the bushes on shore, then a sout of Viva Cuba Libre," to which we answer, Cuba expedicioneros." At once three coast guards mounted on little mustangs make their appearance and are welcomed by us with a chorus of 'Viva Cuba libre." The joy seems to have intoxicated us all, for we are sure now that the expedition will never fall into the hands of the Span iards. One of the coast guards has already started to inform a Cuban force, encamped close by, of the arrival Of the expedition. The steamer which we had sighted while approaching the land is by this time plainly seen to be an English tramp as she comes close in shore to satisfy sher curiosity. l Guessing our mission she hoists her colors and salutes us with three blasts of her whistle, which we promptly answer. One hour and fifty minutes after reaching the coast the cargo has been landed, the boats are hoisted, and we sail away, amid the hurrahs of those on board, heartily answered by those who are left behind.
 The barometer has begun to fall, but as yet caused little anxiety on board, as it might portend merely squally weather, and next day We are once more lying alongside of our supply ship. On account of the rolling of the two vessels,w we were obliged to pro- ceed very slowly in the transfer of our cargo, and it was the following day be- fore we were able to start to land our second expedition. The nearer we ap- preached the Cuban shore the worse the weather became. Some of us had retired to the cabin tc, secure a little rest, when we were aroused at about an hour before midnight by the cry of f1re-nOt a pleasant awakening on a vessel carrying three tons of dynamite. lamp had exploded, but was fortu- nately thrown overheard without oc- casioning further damage, and quiet ness was once more restored The su- perstitious sailors were inclined to look on this incident as an evil omen. but the effect was enumerated an hour afterwards by a large American eagle which majestically landed on our fore mast.
 The following night at about 10 o'clock we sighted the light of Morro castle, and altering our course, headed for our landing place, which was not far from the city of Havana Unfortu- nately, owing to the darkness and the rough weather, we were unable to make our port, and were compelled to put to sea again. The lookout man announced a vessel approaching on our port bow, and at this interesting moment our steering gear gave way. Fortunately, the accident was not seri
 ous and was quickly mended, and we put to sea without further incident. Next day we lay to out of sight of land, and that night once more headed for the light of Moro castle. This time, in order to avoid repeating our error of the night before, we went so near to Havana that we were able plainly to distinguish the electric lights in Central park. Two hours later we arrived at our destination. Iii two hours more, and in the midst of a driving rain, we had landed our sec ond cargo and had again left the Gu
 ban coast-Harper's Weekly.