The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-05-06

they didn't care about clothes as long
as they had plenty VI ammunition.
Their commander, stalwart mulatto,
told us that his command was about
ten or twelve miles in advance or the
main body OF Aranguren's division
and that by making a detour across
the hills, keeping under cover, we
would be sure to intercept them; he
also told us that a detachment OF
Spanish infantry, full regiment, was
then operating about five or six miles
in his rear, and that We would have
TO exercise considerable care TO avoid
il. Again We started, keeping well
under cover until we reached an open
space; hardly had we emerged upon
the plain before We were discovered by
the Spanish, and several horsemen
dashed out to meet us; discretion IN
this instance was the better part or
valor, and We quietly awaited their APP
proach. l showed the officer my MIL
itary pass as correspondent, and eX-
planned that my friends were upon the
same mission as interpreters. We were
however, taken to the camp ana
brought before the colonel; he treated
us considerably, but said he was COM
PEELED to send us back to Havana.
That evening. accompanied by Il
mounted escort, We started back TO Ha-
vana, arriving there the next forenoon.
We were merely registered at the po-
lice station: NJ, however. was
later Indefinitely detained by the
authorities and two days afterward
was startled by the news that he had
been tried as a spy and sentenced TO be
shot at O'Clock the following morn
ing. Undoubtedly he was guilty as
charged, for he had long been engaged
in that capacity, but had successfully
thrown off suspicion as to his real BUS
mess. / knew full we'll that interces-
sion would have no effect, that my own
efforts would be unsuccessful and
would again put me under the ban.
Shortly after 6 the next morning l was
rOwed across the bay to Cabanas fort
ress, and awaited the fatal hour of
I. l took position upon a high ram
part overlooking the parade ground,
which was located within the four old
fashioned battlsments. Suddenly the
blare OF bugles sounded out and from
the great sally-pOrt emerged the gar
risOn, marching in quick time, to the
lively air OF the band; around the
square they marched and finally drew
up IN hollow square, leaving one side
open before the battlements which
hundreds OF prisoners faced before
their death. Then came the guard,
surrounding the prisoners, four in
number; l easily distinguished NJ,
who walked sOldierly and erect; the
arms of the prisoners were bound to
their sides; priests in sombre raiment
walked with the prisoners, Offering
them the last offices of the church,
seminary boys carried the censors and
negro grave-diggers fol-
lowed, spades On shoulders; it was a
gruesOme sight and one which caused
my blood to boil with rage. The pris-
oners were brought into the square
and led to within six Or seven feet of
the then historical wall. The priest
offered the crucifiX to each man, who
reverently kissed the same, and his
priestly blessing was added as we'll.
Then he ordered them upon their
knees, faces to the wall. The men fell
upon their knees, shook their hats from
their heads, squared their shoulders,
and awaited the coming of death.
Ms behavior was splendid; he
turned his head toward the other men
and evidently babe them each good
bye; now the firing squad advanced
and took its place not ten feet from the
condemned men; the officer command
ed them to load, the rifles were raised
to shoulders and levelled towArds the
prisoners; the officer stood off to one
side, and suddenly flashing his sword
in the bright morning sunlight, the
fatal shots were fired into the backs of
the prisoners; each victim seemed lift
ed up from his kneeling position, and
then fell forward upon his face; the
negro assistants turned the bodies
over, face upward; the white shirts of
the men were drenched in blood, bloody
streams still pouring from the mouth.
1t was a horrible, sickening sight to
me, and yet the Spanish troops sent UP
a shout of glee, and Weyler undoubt-
edly wrote up another victory The
band played lively tune as the troops
marched past the bodies. and another
great crime was added to the Spanish
escutcheon. I watched the negro
srave-digsers as they lifted the bodies
into boxes, carried them to an angle of
the parade ground and buried them in
a shallow trench. And so died anoth-
err brave Cuban, a martyr to his pat
riotism. l felt the loss of NJ keenly,
for he had been a faithful friend and
companion throughout my stay in Ha-
vana, and l knew he could not be re-
placed.
Three days later was ordered by the
military authorities aboard the Ward
Line S. S. Seneca, en- route to New
York, and my Cuban campaign was
ended.
A p. TAYLOR.
Honolulu, H. /, May 1, 1899.