The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
LIFE ON A FILIBUsTER.
Landing Two CargOes on the Coast OF
Cuba for the Insurgents.
Harper's Weekly.

1t was early on Sunday morning when we
first sighted Cuba. The sea was like a
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 doomed 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 YES
sells, but of those we take no notice. vet
eran 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 a merchantmen; so the boat is lowered
and party volunteer to go ashore and re-
connoiter In a very short time they come
back and report everything favorable, and
all start to busy themselves with unloading
the precious cargo. While the work is
proceeding a voice is heard coming from
the bushes shore, then q shout of Viva
Cuba libre!' to which we answer Cuba
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 Spaniards. one
of the coast guards has already started
to inform q Cuban force, encamped close
by, of the arrival of the expedition; The
steamer which we had sighted while ap-
preaching the land is by this time plainly
seen to be an English tramp as she comes
close in shore TO satisfy her curiosity.
Guessing our mission she host ST.. her Sol Ses
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 an
severed by those who are left behind.
The barometer had begun to fall, but as
vet caused little anxiety on board, as 1T
might pOrtend merely Squally weather, ana
next day we were once more lying along
side of our supply ship. On account OF the
rolling of the two vessels we were Obliged
to proceed very slowly in the transfer OF
our cargo and ii was the following day be-
fore we were able to start to land our .ec-
ond expedition. The nearer we approached
the Cuban shore the worse the weather
became Some of us had retired TO the
cabin to secure a little rest. when we We're
aroused at half an hour before midnight
by the cry of fire-not pleasant awaken
ing on vessel carrying three tens OF dyila-
mite A lamp had exploded but was ior-
tunately thrown overheard without oc-
casioning further damage ana qluetness
was once more restored. The superstltlous
sailors were inclined to look on TINS incl
dent as an evil omen, but the erect WIS
counteracted an hour afterwards ny q larss
American eagle winch ENTHUSIASTICALLY ia"uSu
on our foremost.
The following night at about 10 o'clock
we sighted the light of MORO Castie, allu
place which was not far from the city OF
Havana. Unfortunately. owing to the DARK
ness and the rough weather. we were Hh-
able to make our port, and were compelled
TO put to sea again. The lookout man an
nounced a vessel approaching on cur port
bow, and at this interesting moment out
steering gear gave way. Fortunately. the
accident was not serious 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 or MORO Castle This time, IN
order to avoid repeating our error on 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
Ian two hours more and in the midst of a
driving vain. we had landed our second
cargo and had again left the Cuban coast.