Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-08-16
- - - -, -. -, - -, -. - - - - -, -

Ssss, * ~ - Sse.,sse., -. - -. -. -. - S=&$ss -
Lieutenant Jose Baquero Y Ordonrz
of the navy Of his Catholic ajesty of
Spain stro'scd his ipu- white beard
ami decided on a Brilliant and great
action. From the decks of his little
SunbOat hc looked once Who
knows" thought he. "but IL il for the
last time"-on the sleepy cove of Tu-
riguano. that had sheltered his craft
50 long and we'll FROM the provliug
Yankee fleet. Then sharp orders were
given. and the white. Shiuu. ship
moved swiftly out OF thc TINY cuban
harbor and stood for thc open Sca
ON the shore there WAS strange com
motion as She went. II came from
Spanish loyalists. who hal fed her
crew and officers FOR wears and SUP
piled the vessel with material and
their emotion was vivid. for Licutcn.
ant Jose BaQuerO Y Orduucz of tile.
navy of his majesty OF Spain llI omit
ted the formalitv of paying the bills
Lieutenant Orjonez had things more
weighty than mere bills To consider.
After long reflection hc nad decided ON
stroke that would cnd an impcriSh-
able glory for him ami his-or annihila-
tion. He had decided 10 run the fierce
blockade and enter Havana. Co force
his way through the enormous steel
fleet OF the enemy. to defy battleships
and torpedo boats and cruisers and to
DO deed that would rc-echo in Spain.
He did not aspire TO the empty glory
saf sin q 4
tally. being sunk himself The Lieu
tenant Ordonez would have dared that.
too, for it would have bccu a chival-
rous thing TO do. and he lived for chiv-
airy. But that ripe reelection To which
he had become prey taught him
that. if we were sunk. the Yankee pigs
never would give credit to him and his
crew for their glorious blow for SDan-
ish arms
And. then. where would be all the
good effect of his enterprise. as far as
the fame Of Spain was concerned? No,
lhe Lieutenant OrdOncz SAW clearly
that he could nerve the Spanish arm
and force the worlds acclaim for the
Nalor Of his land best 10y entering Ha-
vana and flashing the nc,ys around the
Il
en the bOasted blockade. ~On. then
my brave ones. cried he Fear not,
Honor and cigarettes and senoras'
smiles await us. And if YOU see a
Yankee pig boat do not hesitate To let
me know in ample season" He look
ed enthusiastically on his crew. = crey,
any commander might be proud to
haVe-all old. white haired men. who
had served in the Spanish navy for
many, many years.
lntrepldity that was the Inheritance
OF the Lieutenant OrdOncz did not in
terIere with his sound judgment. Care
lully' though bravely. he Stcered along
the coast and At every sign OF smoke
or sail on the horizon he felt his re-
sponsibility for the care OF his shin and
men keenly enough 10 SUPPRESS his
natural desire for battle and To lia
nluueh in snug harbor till night
made II safe 10 venture ON again.
Ana SO making port wherever a de
serted bayou or bay was To be found
the httle gunbOat San Jago worked
her way along the north coast OF Cuho
night after night. giving a wide berth
TO harbors like Sagua In Grande and
Cardenas, where the enemy might be
In force. till ut last. on the midnight
OF the seventh day after vcnturing ONT
OF their port, the brave Spaniaris crept
in sight Of their goal.
Now there was intense excitement
on the little ship. The men lay down
by their guns and whispered what
they had To say 10 each other The
oficers crowded tog, ther and strained
their eyes through the gloom for the
dusky shapes of the American ships
that must be within a few miles nj
the most And softly the engines
worked and every moment the coast
loomcd more plainly. Still there was
no sign of fOeman. No pencil of way
ering. cropping light was To be seen
anywhere on the rolling sea to betray
an American ship with her prying
searchlight
Ii seemed almost too good 10 be true.
ana the Lieutenant Ordoncz and his
men began to suspect a trap. They
tcdOubled their watchfulneSS. and
more than one sailor muttcrcd hur-
ried prayer in wise provision for a
possible emergency when he might
not have time to commend his soul To
his patron saint. But still there was
no sign Of an cncmy'S craft. aud finally
the ship opened up the entrance Ia
Havana harbor without having met n
single obstacle.
Then an involuntary exclamation of
surprise came from the watching men.
Havana was dazzling with nlumina.
tiOnS The waters Of the hay were
bright as day with the flashes of cleo
tric lights. and from all parts of the