The Detroit times., 1914-05-28

but the surf troublesome All lights
on the steamer had OF course. been
treened or eXtinguished, but a light
ed lantern had Deen hung over the
shore side for the purpose of guiding
returning boats.
My boat was nearing the Dauntless
for its sixth load. when We heard an
excited exclamation from the bridge,
and saw to the northward over the
mangrove bushes on the point, pc.
culiar white light sweeping the horl-
ION. The steamer had not anchored,
but was keeping her approximate po-
sition by means OF her screw, and
had had on a full head OF steam ever
since approaching the coast, ready 10
do her best in case she had to run
for il.
There was no time to lose, as to be
caught in this little pocket of a bay
meant disaster The engine ball rang
viciously a black column OF smoke
poured from the funnel OF the Daunt-
less, and the race for life began.
The Dauntless plunged through the
water and for couple OF miles We
could trace her by the smoke and
sparks from her funnel. In order 10
clear the point she had to run
straight out to sea, at first in the di-
rection of the enemy. The search
light wavered here and there on the
shore line and over the surface OF the
water, and finally fell on the Daunt-
less.
There was a painful moment for
those OF us watching, and then came
the distant booming of the guns; but
finally these sounds died away ana
both pursuer and pursued faded from
sight
The hours dragged along, but
finally morning came and ushered in
q windy and sodden day. On the sup
position that the gunboat would hon
or us with a visit during the day
search was made as soon as IL was
light for a suitable position for the
gun, with the intention OF doing our
best 10 beat her of An almost ideal
natural gunpit was found ne26 the
beach. In some violent storm q large
og had been hurled beyond the or
binary high-tide mark. and had fallen
across the mouth OF a little gully
where sand TO the thickness OF sew
eral feet had been blown mp against
IT, The gun was set up in the gully.
its muzzle pointing over the log
which served as reyetment for the
sand
From fearing that the gmboat
would come in. We now began 10
worry lest il should not We reason
cd that the advantage was all on our
side, as We had good protection ana
steady platform, which the sunboat
could not have
In the meantime fire had been
built and coffee made and bacon broil-
ed. aud this. with some hard bread,
refreshed MS greatly. lt was thought
hest TO carry out tons OF military
stores. piled helter-skelter along the
beach. TO some place concealed from
view, and this slayish task consumed
the greater part OF the forenoon,
While carrying out these tasks
many anxious glances were cast sea
ward and about II o'clock film OF
smoke was noticed far TO the north
Closer and closer Il came, until We
could make out the hull OF the vessel.
but We we're kept in fever OF un-
certainty as TO It's identity.
We loaded the gun and pointed II
and the Cubans with their Mauser
rifles scattered along the. beach. TAX
ing shelter wherever they could
was already estimating the dis.
lance for a trial shot when the yes
sci suddenly swung her broadside 90
and we recognized the Dauntless.
Capt. O'Brien. fearing that we might
nse him as a target. had swung
around purposely In order that We
might identify the vessel