The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-06-20
A Daring Smuggler



When Captain General Tacon as
sumed the government of Cuba he
found The revenue laws everywhere
annulled The smuggIers were organ
lied by one Marti, who was a sort Of
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 endcavorcd to
hunt down the smugglers, but they al
ways eluded him. Then he offered a
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 a 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 military cloak stood watching the
sentries from behind the statue Of
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 he
put his design into practice and, with
lightning speed, passed the portal.
Mounting the staircase. assuming the
bearing Of one who belonged there, be
returned the salute OF n sentinel stand.
ing near the captain generals door and
entered. Tacon sat alone nj a large
table writing fIe looked UP at the In
truder and asked sternly who he was
that thus entered unannounced.
'one wig has important information
to impart TO the government
How did you pass the guard?'
~'rhat was not difficult"
what il yonr business with met"
'You have offered a reward for in
formation concerning the smugglers."
'Ah. That is your businessf'
You have offered pardon to him
who will guide your ships to the snug
glers hiding places"
y have
"Aud special reward for the cap
ture Of their leader. Marti'
Eyes.
Il have come to give you the infor-
nation you desire"
"Welf. am ready TO hear IL"
First, have | your word that you
will give me free pardons"
Il will"
"But my crimes In the eye Of the law
are great. Do you still promiset'
IF You perform your part, | viii per-
form mine"
Even II l am a leader among the
eontrabandistsg
Yes said Tacon after moments
thought .even If you are a lender"
.Excellency. know that Won are a
man of honor. Had not felt perfect
confidence In your word should not
have ventured 10 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 Martir
At the mention OF this dreaded name
Tacon east his eyes upon brace OF
pistols lying on his desk. Marti drew
4 pair OF similar weapons and. step
ping forward. laid them ON the desk.
Il have no further use for these" he
said.
"yery WE'LL 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 MART was ON board to pilot the
government officers TO The rendezvous
Of the smugglers. But thel 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
Martl 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 IL pardon for all past ofrenses.
And here is an order on the treasurer
for''--
1.-THE reward ! do not claim. said the
ex-smuggler, putting up his hand depre-
catingly.
"Whnt do you mean" asked the as
tonished governor
Il win make you a proposition. The
treasury is poor, while | am rich. In
place of the reward give me the OK
elusive right 10 fish on the coast of
Cuba. ] VIII at my own expense build
a market which shall he a 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 1t.
Nartl at once entered upon the work
ing Of bis privilege Sending for his
old associates. he employed them alt
and they mnde more money undrr e.
law than They had made while codr
stantly taking great risks, besides be-
Ing paid for any losses they sustained
while MART was leading the govern