Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-09-24


of the men, who had manned the side
peering down at three boats which
were but a short distance from tht
mooring buoys.
"The captain of the port, his assis
tant, and a platoon Of soldiers, were
closing in on the vessel, when they
were hailed by the chief officer, anG
ordered to lay on their oars. A par
LEY ensued, and formal demand wa!
made for the immediate surrender Of
the rebel soldier and his sympathizers
I-all of which was curtly refused.
"Deliver the rebels to us peace
ably, captain, or we'll come on board
and take them, was the angry re.
joinder.
"'Come at your peril. This is ar
American ship, the American flag Is
flying over her, and, by the Lord Har.
ry, I'll defend 1t against every Span
lard you can muster! roared the mas
ter, losing his temper. Stand by your
hot water cocks below there, and lei
them have it full tilt at the word. Get
Jumps of coal and old grate-bars
another squad of you, and knock the
bottom out of the first boat that at
tempts to come alongside
"The authorities were evidently
lnonplussed, and were soon In a heat
ed consultation. The officers OF the
lironclad, hearing the excited voices,
quietly hove short, lessenins the dis
tance from the steamer very percept-
IDLY, while the muZzle Of her huge
guns, and glitter of small arms as the
sentries paced to and fro, came out
sharply distinct in the brilliant moon
light.
"The outlook for the unarmed
steamer was anything but reassuring.
There were many anxious glances ex-
changed, but. no such thought as sub
mitting to the demands Of the armed
force was for a moment entertained.
"a boat from the ironclad dashed
alongside the numbering barge con-
tanning the captain of the port, who
accompanied the naval officer on
board, probably for the purpose OF
holding a council Of war.
"The guard boats pulled slowly
around the American steamer, keep
ing a sharp lookout, while rumors OF
what was transpiring on the water
had spread rapidly through the city,
resulting in lining the harbor front
with a noisy, excited, jostling throng,
shouting, Death to the Yankees! and
anxious for hostilities to commence.
"Time passed on; the Cubans In
their hot sitting stronghold were kept
apprized of what was passing without,
but it was not deemed prudent for
them to leave their cramped and dis
agreeable quarters.
"Daybreak began to redden the east
ern horizon, and with the first glim-
mer Of daylight the master OF the
American steamer was seen standing
in the rigging, his long glass
levelled, scanning closely the blue ex-
panse seaward. Long and anxiously
he looked, while the tired and sleepy
crew stood to their quarters, wonder
ing what new move was afoot, and
how it would all end.
"The glistening rays of the sun
flashed out good morning, rejecting
merrily from the polished accoutre-
ments and cleaning muskets of the
soldiery, and as the smoke Of the Sun
rise gun from the ramparts Of the cas-
tie fioated slowly to leeward, signs OF
activity were discernible on the deck
Of the Spanish ironc.",d. The notes OF
bugle and a hoarse hail came float
ing across the water: Give up those
prisoners upon the next demand Of the
the proper officer, or We'll blow a
hole through you!' and with the word
down clashed a half-port, the muzzle
Of rifled gun was brought to bear on
the quarter of the steamer, while the
movements of the guns crew as they
fell into their places at quarters were
not lost upon the defiant handful OF
men who lined the rail Of the mer-
chant ship.
Back came the captain Of the port
rejoining his barge, while the trill of
second bugle call from the frigate
swung all boats outward from the da-
Wits. The rattle of arms and gleam OF
cutlasses were apparent along her
otherwise silent decks.
""They are going to press us hard
this time, SIR exclaimed the mate, as
he watched every move. Shall we give
them the hot water first?'
"The American master shut up the
joints of his glass with a vicious snap
while a faint trace Of grim smile
fickered for a moment around the cor
ner Of his well-shaped mouth.
"'Do anything -parley, fool, OF
fight 'em for twenty minutes longer
and Uncle Sam will relieve us of all
further responsibility by taking hand
in this matter. Look there
"And pointing seaward, a steamer
was made out heading for the harbor
| n VI uldCh lOliCu llohi
her double and raking smokestacks;
small cataract Of foam rolled of
from either side Of the sharp cutwater
while aloft, the taunt spars, square
yards, and fluttering penant stamped
| the stranger as a vessel Of war. A
ball Of bunting ran rapidly aloft, and
as the folds flew out clear on the
morning breeze, the weary watchers on
board the mail steamer could not re-
press q hoarse cheer Of triumph and
delight.
"The Spaniards had discovered the
near approach Of the United States
vessel, which had the effect of staying
proceedings, although the sailors and
marines Of the ironclad were already
filing into their respective boats.
Into port came the cruiser, with
ports down, guns run out, men al
quarters, and boarding nettings triced
up. The hail Of the Moro was answer
ed, but the speed of the ship was moi
slackened until she ranged along the
side of the Spanish vessel, the two
crews glaring at each other along the
muzzles Of their respective batteries
while the officers saluted by raising
their caps.
The Cuban general and his friends
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