Year: 1873

TAKING OUT THE VIRGINIUS.
Stealing Away Like a Guilty Thing I'm
der Cover OF Night-What the Captain
or the Tornado Swore To Do-Imprfs-
oned for Mutiny by the Captain Gem
eral-The Cause OF All the Trouble


Makes Safe Exit-The Father OF Lies


In Havana-Mob Before the Palace OF
the Captain General Dispersed by


Three Squadrons of Cavalry.


HAVANA, Dec. Is, 1873.


The atmosphere appears with clearer promise
to-day. The yirgnus, no longer IN the harbor, is
no longer nightmare in the dreams Of the COM
mnnity. While she lay here before the gaze of the
Spanish population, folded in the most hateful
sociations, a vile thing shared and captured look
ing no feeling but that Of execration, she was
more painful irritant that the red rag haunted in
the eyes OF mad bull. She Is gone and the irri-
tation for a moment becomes calmer. No Yankee
man of-war, with the Stars and Stripes flying
at fore and peak, guns snotted and decks
cleared for action, came in during the blaze
OF daylight to demand and take her away.
All this was spared. She was stealthy moved Off
under cover OF darkness and not 10 men in Havana
saw the far-famed Virginus gliding softly through
the still waters OF the narbOr and out into the
ocean three hours before sunrise. Few knew the
meaning Of the


LIGHT, RIPPLING TRUMPET NOTES


that passed along the line of vessels and over
TO the forts. Little did the few awakened sleepers
think these airy trumpet signals meant "The vir-
ginIus IS going out the harpor; let her pass" l
saw her as she moved, a black shadow over the
star-it waters creeping like guilty thing in the
Obscurity OF night away from the gaze OF human
eyes and the talk of human tongues, out into the
WI I chad har wit into
interest as she moved softly through the gloom, now
disappearing maze OF vessels anchored in the
inner harbor and again emerging on her darkened
pathway deep black shadow STILL an ominous
apparition suggestive OF uneasy forebodings. The
sky was clear above and the stars family illumined
the dead calm waters below. The tugboat and her
freight were the only moving objects in the harbor,
while shore the footsteps OF the solitary watch
man the ferry house alone broke the silence,
save when cornet of marines sent flying over sea
and shore a few peculiar silvery notes from his
trumpet. Soon the virginius was encroaching on
the mooring grounds OF the Spanish men-oEwar.
she was quietly stealing up


UNDER COVER OF TILE TORNADO


and coming directly abreast of the city and the
Custom House. Now never thought her fate
will be decided. VIII the impulsve captain OF the
Tornado lying yonder allow the prize he captured
after SO many weary months OF watching and
waiting to be delivered up to the detested
Yankees Now is his time. His guns cover her.
One shot, well aimed from his forward starboard
battery, and farewell to the Virginius forever.
You see light come and go at the bows of the
Tornado 1t Is an uneasy lantern held In nervous
hands. Its thin ray OF light falls athwart the
virginius and dances ftfuly over her. 1t is gone
in moment and instantly reappears and seems
like the anticipated Hash OF the avenging gun. 1t
in hn n n oil 10
darkness once more. But let me thnk-the cap
tain OF the Tornado is reported under arrest.
few days before the surrender he iung certain in
sulting and mutinOus expressions at the Captain
General, and now the bold sea dog is in confne-
ment for his temerity. He did swear a mighty oath
that should the virgnus by night or by day come
abreast OF his vessel he should sink her to the
bottom for evermore. We two who are now look
ing on remind each other OF this and momentary
feeling OF disappointment comes over u.s. At first


THAT DANCING LIGHT


looked ominous in our eyes. They are gauging her
position, we thought. Walt moment and the
boom OF the fatefu gun will be heard and the des-
TIMES OF one country at least will be altered for
good or for evil. 1t came not ana the remem-
brance that the daring commander OF the Tornado
was removed past the opportunity OF gratifying his
stern vengeance explained all. Why should we
have felt Disappointed Why not rejolced and in
ecstases at the thought that, once outside the
harbor, war and ruin ana misery might be spared
to millions OF human creatures l said, however,
the chagrin was but momentary, as when the
spectator, without wishing the least particle
OF harm to the person OF Monsieur Bondin
when he crosses the Niagara on a
tight rope, yet feels some mysterious curiosity
and desire to see him tumble of into the boiling
rapids below. Minutes precious now. Is there
no boatoad OF armed and desperate men putting
oil from the shore TO capture and sink her What
has become Of all that


WILD AND PASSIONATE ROASTING


OF few nights ago. enough TO shake the pyramids
and bring tears or contritlon to the eyes of tie
American eagle Would any other people on top
and yet perform nothngS Still they make no sign
True, the multitude not aware of what is
transpring They are asleep and dream not that
the vlrginlus Is being nolselessy smuggled out Of
the harbor. But there are valiant members OF the
Casino, who swore In the stirring declamatorv
accents Of CASTLE that she should never be given
up-no, never-wn0 know that this night she is
being borne away from them into the custody of
the abhorred and despsed enemy Where are
they at this moment small boat, n few men
and petroleum brand might finish her career IN
half an hour. Nothing doing yet. The watchman
sings out three O'Clock, and


SILENCE REIGNs AGAIN.


She has passed the Tornado, and now we perceive
the large form OF the Isabella Ia Catoca, magni-
swinging slowly around. What does this mean
Does the man-0fwar purpose to stop the
way, which is narrow, Tor 1t is but
stones throw to the stern OF the English gun
boat Naad Round and round swings the
isabella, and presently the virginius falls
breast OF her and both appeared to remain
- stationary In parallel line. The faint sound OF a
human voice Is heard. IL Is probably some word
MI nj