GOOD USE OF A FLAG.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 88, 14 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

GOOD USE OF A FLAG.

In Havana (Ouba) one evening there was a great row in the Btreets, and a man was killed. Everyone ran away except an Englishman, who did not see why he should run off, but stopped to do what he could for the wounded man. The city was then, as it often was, under martial law, and in a few minutes a party of soldiers came up and walked the Englishman off. He was tried then and there by a sort of drum-head court martial, and condemned to be Bhot the next morning at eight o'clock. He managed to get the news conveyed to the English Consul, and at a quarter to eight the next morning' the Consul appeared in his coach and four, uniform, cocked hat and eword, all his orders on. The shooting party were drawn out, and the prisoner was there too. The Consul walked up to the officer commanding the party and demanded the life of his countryman. " Very sorry," Baid the officer, "but I must carry out my orders," and he showed the warrant Binged by the Governor. "Well," replied the Consul. " at least you'll allow me to shake hands with him before he dies." "I can't refuse that request, " said the officer. On which the Consul stepped up to his countryman, put his hand into his own breast, drew out a Union Jack, and, throwing it over the man, said :—": — " There, now — fire, if you dare !" The officer was staggered, the matter was referred to the Governor, and the man's life was saved.