The record-union., 1898-03-24
MIRABAL, BANDIT.

none is more interesting, more pictur-
esque or more personally charming
than Nicasio Mirabal, the outlaw Col
! onel of Santa Clara. His name has
been used throughout the island to
frighten children and his presence has
| frequently caused the Spanish guardia
/ civillias to tremble in fear. And yet
the man lis handsome, kind hearted and
courteous.
Birth made Mirabal a gentleman;
fate made him bandit; the war for
/ Cuban independence has made him a
hero. A price is on his head to-day, al
though he is one of Gen. Gomezs most
trusted and active officers, the Colonel
of a division in the insurgent army.
| shall never forget my first meeting
with Mirabal, nor the cordial reception
given me. writes George Reno.
1t was in the edge of the dense forest
near the Moron and Jucaro trocha
where camp had been made and dinner
! just served
Mirabal exchanged greeting with all
i the courtesy of a host to some invited
! guest. Leading me to the little spot
of palm covered grass which did duty
/ for a cloth, he remarked: You will
pardon our somewhat primitive table
| service. Had 1 known of your coming
a few little comforts might have been
provided. Be seated while I manufac-
ture for us a couple of plates.
Saying which he proceeded to carve
two octagon shaped pieces of majagua
from the great thin, fiat leaf stock OF
the royal palm.
Il am glad you have your own fork
Mr.. Reno: the fact is, my last civilized
o1ItI e,.V- cit 1T1 hn1
of the sarones, during a somewhat hur-
ried march this spring. You will,
! think, find that roast pig excellent
For the jayaca (stew) I cannot say as
much. My regular chef was killed last
Tuesday But the honey is from Ma
| lures own hives, and I can recon-
mend it."
THE battle field is a good place to
get rid of the blues,'' he once remark
ed to me. A rent in his shirt or trous-
ers is far more serious to him than
! bullet hole in his leg, unless it really
cripples him. He is by far the best
dressed officer in the insurgent army,
! the only one l met who sports a small
! diamond in the front of his neglige.
II am an outlaw" he said, because
| I have fought and will continue to
| fight Spanish law as long as 1 live"
! ''They call me a bandit, too. Well,
perhaps I am that also. 1t is true that
| I have robbed SpaniardS of their i'll
gotten money, but it was for the bene-
/ fit of the revolution. I have never
prOflted by it myself. Delegate Palma
will tell you that I sent $4,000 to the
! treasury of the Cuban legation in New
York, with which to purchase arms and
ammunition.
Il have never stolen a dollar in my
| life. 1 have simply levied upon wealthy
Spanish residents in order to increase
the revolutionary fund In the begin
ming of the war L appropriated a few
hundred rifles from the enemy's ar
senal, but we needed them in the cause
of liberty"
He was born in Santa Clara Province,
the son of wealthy planter, about
forty-five years ago. He was very
much of favorite in society and al
ways noted for his exquisite taste and
courteous manner : \ ~
His brother, quick tempered and
rather reckless fellow, Became involved
in a quarrel, shot and Killed his oppo-
nent There were no witnesses to the
deed. and the victim lived just long
enough to proclaim Mirabal as his
slayer. but did not say which Mirabal.
Nicasia hurried to his brothers house
and offered to take his place.
You have a wife and children" he
said. you must provide for and pro-
tect them. You cannot afford to fly.
l have no one. l fired the shot, I'M
derstand. Don't you dare deny it.
Adios; God bless you," and off he rode,
an innocent fugitive from justice, with
a price of $1,000 on his head.
His flight proved his guilt to the sat-
isfaction of the law. and all the guar
dia civillia of Santa Clara We're sent
in pursuit Some, who for sake of re-
ward, pressed him too hard and never
came back, and thus commenced Mira
balls life as a bandit and outlaw.
Many are the stories told of him in
Cuba. One will illustrate. Morning
found him near the city of Sanctus
Espiritu, with two mounted companions
and with quite an appetite for break
fast. Riding up to the gateway of an
humble farm house. Mirabal dismount-
ed and asked the old man who stood in
the door if it would be convenient for
him to have a little breakfast prepared
for himself and companions.
my wife is dead; l am alone" the
come. 1 will do the best I can for
YOU
Indeed" said Mirabal, 81 am sorry.
Let me help you make the coffee, y
and he did so. During the meal which
followed Mirabal remarked upon the
beauty of the two oxen yoked in the
yard ''They are fine pair and ought
to be profitable to you.
fHThpV might he if thew were mine ~
the old man replied, but they belong
to my rich neighbor on yonder hill
above US. | have to pay him 81 day
for the use of them"
TOO bad; you will never get rich in
that way. What does your neighbor
ask for heroxen?"
Five hundred dollars in the price, I
believe"
We'll" remarked Mirabal, 81 am
stranger to you, but | am going to
make you a present of the animals"
And SO saying he counted out five hun
dred dollars in gold, handed it to the
astonished man and requested one of
his companions to accompany the host
to the house of the wealthy Spaniard
on the hill. Buy the oxen and bring
back a receipt for the money" was his
injunction.
The receipt being brought back it
was taken by Mirabal.
Proceeding Immediately to the house
on the hill he produced the receipt
and thus addressed the writer of it:
you will pardon me: my name is
Mirabal l have with me proof that
you have just been paid $500 in gold.
I don't wish to inconvenience you, but
I must have that amount of money at
once. l need it very badly. I will give