Gilpin observer., 1912-03-07

these evermoist depths. The coral holds the rain
water in the many cup-like openings and acts as
mulch that favors the development or the
trees and underbrush Hardwood is the wealth
of this section of the Isle of Pines. The people
engaged in cutting the trees and marketing the
logs for the most part "catmaneros west
Indian English of various shades from Great and
Little Cayman Islands, British possessions lying
about $50 miles south. Tobacco poles, diversified
hardwood bean poles they seem to the Kansas
farmer are exported in quantities across to Pinar
del Rio province, in Cuba, where they fnd ready
sale among the planters.
The "caimaneros" picturesque lot upon
whom has descended the gamor of the romance
with which tradition overlays these shores since
the days of pirates and wreckers. OF course they
fishermen, and besides adding variety to their
daily bill of fare. they increase their income by
hunting tortoise here. valuable for his shell.
A voyage in of the featherweight canoes
in which they ride the breakers whitening the
turquoise at the entrance OF a ledge-protected
cove Is thrilling experience and calculated to
fill one with respect for the seamanship Of these
halfbreeds. Let leave the South Coast" for
the NORTH the real island Here conditions are
essentially dferent-a rolling country with In
terspersing hills and rivers. in appearance remind
ing one of the fertile parts of Florida, resem-
bance much heightened by the pine trees that
much of a sandy soil area. These pine
trees. strikngly visible from a distance, gave the
island its name, Isla de Plnos, from which we
have the English translation, Isle OF Pines. Isle
of Pines! There is that something in the words
which redolent OF the soft, sweet winds
that blow caressngly over its vernal valleys.
The smoothness OF the name is all opposed to the
idea OF rapine and murder. And yet for years this
beautiful island was a pirate rendezvous Drake
came first, four years before the end OF the six
teenth century, when he massacred the few col
onists he found, and from that date the fame Of
the island as a convenient and suitable base
spread among the freebooting fraternity.
The most ferocious Of the pack Of wolves
that hunted the In the late sixteenth and
nItrh oh
French all found security and shelter on the
Isle of Pines. From Morgan the knight who won
his spurs by successful robbery rapine, and MUIR
der, to Mansfield, who waged war single handed
against the throne OF Spain all the Heterogeneous
crews OF the rovers knew the shoals and
the sheltered bays behind which their ships could
lie in safety under the lee Of the island. From
here they sailed forth to attack the numbering
Peru and back they came again to divide the
spoils and reHt for another raid.
These facts have left a heritage OF buried-treas-
ure tales; but while many have dug in just those
spots that seem ideal for the concealment Of H.
gotten riches, yet there is no authoritative evil
dence to the effect OF buried treasure being
cred There is a rumor that once someone un-
earthed n brass-boun chest OF doubloons near the
shore, and went home to Buffalo to live In luxury
ever after on tho wealth discovered. II you
doubt the tale, the chest can still be seen lying
open on the sand to prove It.
The Isle of Pines presented by royal grant
from the crown OF Spain to Capt. D. fernando
Pedroso In 1880 with the understanding that he
transform the pirates lair" into a "hourishing
colony"-to two common descriptive phrases.
The island passed to the Duarte brothers by In.
heritance in 1906 and to these Joint owners all
title should be traced Not the least interesting