The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-04-26
A Daring smuggler
IOriginal.


IOriginall
When Captain General Tacon as.
sumed the government of Cuba he
found the revenue laws everywhere
annulled. The smugglers We're organ
lied by one Marti, who was a sort of
king among them. He was 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 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 OF 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 IL 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.
Ue 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, he
1eturned the salute of a 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
10 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.''
Sand special reward for the cap
ture of their leader, NIarti.''
Eyes"
II have come to give you the infor-
nation you DESIRE
well, am ready to hear it,
First, have your word that you
will give me free pardon?"
81 WILL
"But my crimes in the eye of the law
are great. Do you still promise?'
IT you perform your part, will per-
form NINE"
Given if I am a leader among the
contrabandists!"
@Yes," said Tacon after moments
thought; "even if you are leader
'EXcellency, 1 know that you are a
man of honor. Had l not felt perfect
confidence in your word l should not
have ventured to thus come here"
@You can trust me-"
swell, then, will not further delay.
The man for whom you have offered
the double reward is here"
you are
"Captain AIarti.''
Tacon cast his eyes upon a brace Of
pistols lying on his desk. Marti drew
a pair Of similar weapons and, step
ping forward, laid them on the desk.
II have no further use for these,' he
said.
Every well,' said the governor, Il
will keep my word, bat 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 l will perform mine.
Here is a pardon for all past otfenses.
And here is an order on the treasurer
for
1.-THE reward do not nloin'' cold +ha
-