The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-01-04
WHEN THEY KIDNAPPED
ENGINEER PEDRO AGUlLERA
An Interesting Account of an Americans Ex-
perience With Amateur Bandits in
the Wilds of Cuba.

Martin caught up with me about
mile further on. He told me that
when he reached Raffo's house they
already had the news, and Ratio was
arming with machettes, pick handles,
rocks and the few firearms they
could find, some ten or twelve men.
They had already telephoned to the
mines and Mrs. Aguilera had heard
the news. Four rural guards from
Ell Cuerto had started out in pursuit,
but Ratio said he would warn them
of the danger to Pete if they let the
bandits see them.
Martin and 1 made good time to
the Punta Sal, and my horse was all
in when we arrived. I went to San
tiago at once in a gasoline launch
and found that Combs had heard
something over the telephone and
suspecting that it would be Ques-
ton of ransom had sent to the bank
for $4,000, which Blair was counting
and noting the numbers of the bills
when I arrived. They had also tele-
phoned for the Colon, which was on
her way back from Daiquiri.
II went Immediately to the head
quarters of the rural guard and re-
ported the matter. They got busy at
once, telephoned to Ell Cobre and set
guards on two trails that I indicated
to them as probable roads of escape.
They also sent guards to the point
where the road to Ell Cuero crosses
the Cobre railroad known as San
Miguel de Paradas (Which you re-
christened st. Michael on Parade')
there to wait for the captain, whom
they ordered in on the noon train
from Ell Christie. I had boat ready
to take him to Punta Sal and train
to take him to. st. Mike, thus saving
about an hour of his journey.
"By the time I got back to the Of
flee everybody in Santiago knew
about it, and some kind friend had
been in to tell Mrs. Cox that Pete and
I had both been kidnapped and were
held for ransom, Pete for $4,000
and 1 for $4,000. Why they rated
me higher than. Pete I do not know,
unless they figured at so much a
pound on the hoof. 1 called up my
house and let them hear my voice,
and sent the Colon off with the
money, which I was afraid to send
overland.
"Of course the Office was full of
people, and the telephone was going
steadily. There was, no further news
from Ell Cuero, and had to wait for
Captain Bordes of the rural guard,
who was coming from Ell Christie to
take charge of the pursuit. 1t was
my first intention to deliver the
money itself, but reflected that If
1 did so they would undoubtedly keep
me and send Pete for some more
money. So decided to send Martin,
whom they knew by sight, to deliver
the dough. 1t turned out that 1 de-
cidedly wisely, because Pete told me
Yesterday that all the time they had
him in tow they were regretting that
that they had not kept me instead,
and that if I had come with the cash
they would undoubtedly have kept
me.
"Meanwhile the bandits walked
Pete up the hill nearly to the Algeria
mine. One of their number went back
to the store and bought $3.50 worth
of cigars, ale and canned goods with
my good money. They were so hot
and thirsty when they got up the
hill that they had to go down to the
river for water. Then they doubled
On their tracks and went back to the
road about half way up TO the 4arey
hill to wait for me and the money.
They sat down in the bushes about
fifteen feet from the road to eat
lunch. Two guards passed along the
road, but they threatened Pete and
he did not dare call out.
Two of Raffo's men who were out
hunting the bandits, in spite of in
structions to- the contrary saw a
movement in the bushes and rushed
in. One of the two was only a boy
of Is or 10, armed with a machette,
the other had a revolver. He fired
three shots, two of which missed fire,
owing to the GUINNESS of the gun.
Pete jumped behind rock and the
bandits fed and hid in the bushes.
"A little later Pete telephoned ME
from Nina Nina, and l was never SO
glad to hear any ones voice in my
life. He said that they had treated
him decently and had given him a