Year: 1873

FROM HAVANA TO BAHIA HONDA


DIFFICULTIES OF THE J0URNEY-sUsPIcIoS WI"


WHICH AN AMERICAN IS REGARDED IN CUBA


PURSUIT OF INFORMATION REGARDING IiE soi'


RENDER OF THE vIRGINIUs.


fvRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBuSB'l


On BOARD STEAMER LIBERTY, GULF OF MEXICO
Dec. 1S.-I left'Havana before daybreak on MONDAY
Dec. Is, and took the train for Guanajay, point
about Is miles distant. From this place found !.
impossible to proceed except on horseback, anu
after engaging two horses and guide ana altei
encountering much opposition. l set out for bania
Honda to get the news of the surrender OF 'ne
Virg1nius The distance was said to be only
90 miles from Guanajay; but it seemed to draw
ont indefinitely as pressed on through hostlio
country over road utterly devoid of shade under
tropical sun, unarmed, and at the mercy OF
treacherous Spanish guide. finally reached the
mountains and was joined by police spy, who
travelled under the mask of an honest traveller
When night broke upon me was still in the noun
tans; the telegraph wire which had served to point
out the way was no longer to be seen; both gulde
and spy lost their way; the road grew worse
rapidly; and at every step | feared should DC
thrown into the ravines either side of the loot
path which was digniied by the title of road. Inc
streams which we were obliged to ford were swollen; ;
and at last to add to the horrors of the situation.
violent storm broke upon us. Unable to see the
trail, threw the reins upon the horses head ana
let him go as he would.


After several hours we reached horrible place
called San Diego, where, utterly exhausted. was
lifted from my horse having been nine hours IN the
saddle. Here were new dangers i was not allowed
TO take advantage of bed which had been prepared
for me until had satisfied them that my assertion
that was " a gentleman travelling on business was
strictly true l feared arrest but after putting my
coat which contained my credentials under my pill
low l threw myself upon the bed without undress-
ing and. after light doze, ordered my horses, and
at daylight was again in the saddle. l finally
reached Bahia Honda, a hamlet of less than 80
houses. The bay was mile and half distant, and
the landing-place was guarded by a detachment
of Spanish sailors from La Favorita. represented
that wanted to take the steamboat which touched
there for Havana and, after cautiously putting
few questions ascertained that the United States
steamer Despatch, and the VIrginius, were q few
miles away. Represented that. as the weather was
SO delightful, would like to take sail on the bay,
intending however, when near the Despatch, to haii
her. The marines knew that i was an American,
and refused to let me have my way. l demanded
permission to go on board the Despatch, but was
again refused. then demanded permission to go on
board La Favorita fearing arrest shore, and pre-
ferrng TO be in the custody of the naval authorities
rather than the civil. They finally yielded,
and few words with an officer on deck
and declaration of'my real profession enabled me
to go on board the Despatch, our boat passing that
of the Spanish commandant, who was returning
from the surrender of the Virginius Here l found
that my pains and perils had been for nothing for
met on board the Despatch TRIBUNE correspondent
who had sailed from Key West and Who had covered
the ground so thoroughly that there was nothing
left for me but to return with him TO Key West and
sail thence to Havana, as am now doing.