The Baraboo news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1884-1911, 1906-06-27
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR

King among them. He was a tall, dark
man, with Spanish, creole and mulatto
blood in his veins, possessing great
physical strength, courage shrewdness
and business tact
The captain general endeavored to
hunt down the smugglers, but they al
ways eluded him. Then he offered
large reward to any one Of them who
would desert his comrades and pilot
the government ships to their lairs. A
double reward was offered for Marti,
dead or alive. This plan also failed.
Either honor among thieves or fear
OF punishment by their fellows pre-
vented any betrayal. Four months
passed and no one came forward to
give the information and claim the re-
ward
One dark night two sentinels were
pacing back and forth before the cap
tain generals palace in Havana. The
Plaza d'Armas, on which the palace
stands, was deserted. Just before the
clock struck II a tall figure wrapped
In a military cloak stood watching the
Ferdinand. They met at the entrance,
then walked away from each other,
turning again at the end of their beats.
The watcher was evidently waiting for
an opportunity to dart between them
when their backs were turned and just
before they faced about. At last be
put his design into practice and, with
ovh%
Mounting the staircase, assuming the
bearing Of one who belonged there, he
returned the salute of q sentinel stand.
ing near the captain generals door and
entered. Tacon sat alone at large
table writing. He looked up at the in
truder and asked sternly who he was
that thus entered unannounced.
zone who has important information
to impart to the government"
SLOW did you pass the guard?"
"That was not difficult"
''What is your business with me?"
'You have offered a reward for In
formation concerning the smugglers."
"Ah! That is your business"
'You have offered a pardon to him
who will guide your ships to the SNUG
glers' hiding places"
II have"
"And a special reward for the cap
ture Of their leader, Marti."
"Yes."
81 have come to give you the infor-
nation you desire"
"Well, am ready to hear It,"
"First, have l your word that you
Will give me free pardon?"
'T will"
"But my crimes In the eye of the law
are great. Do you still promise?"
''If you perform your part, I will per
form NINE"
"Even If I am leader among the
contrabandistsw
eyes," said Tacon after q moments
thought; "even If you are leader"
"Excellency, I know that you are o
man OF honor. Had I not felt perfect
confidence in your word should not
have ventured to thus come here"
You can trust me-"
''Well, then, will not further delay.
The man for whom you have offered
the double reward is here"
''You are
Captain Marti."
At theamention Of this dreaded name
Tacon cast his eyes upon brace OF
pistols lying on his desk. Marti drew
a pair s{of similar weapons and. step
ping forward, laid them on the desk.
Il have no further use for these" he
said.
"very WELL" said the governor. IL
will keep my word, but for the present
you must remain under guard"
II am willing, your excellency."
The next day a Spanish warship Of
light draft steamed out OF the har-
Dor. Marti was on board to pilot the
government officers to the rendezvous
of the smugglers. But the smugglers
were already warned. Not one Of them
was captured. Nevertheless, the con-
trabandist organization was broken up,
which was, after all, the main object.
Marti returned In the ship and was
summoned before the governor, who
said to him:
''Since you have performed your part
Of the agreement will perform mine.
Here Is pardon for all past offenses.
And here Is an order on the treasurer
for
''The reward do not claim" said the
ex-smuggler, putting up his hand depre-
catingly.
"What do you mean?" asked the as
tonished governor.
~ will make you proposition. The
treasury is poor, while l am rich. In
place of the reward give me the ex-
elusive right to fish on the coast Of
Cuba. l will at my own expense build
a market which shall be credit to the
city of Havana and which at The end
Of twenty-five years shall revert to the
government"
The governor took time to consider
the proposition and finally accepted it.
Marti at once entered upon the work
ing Of his privilege. Sending for his