A CUBAN ROMANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1912, 13 July 1888, Page 31

A CUBAN ROMANCE.

We asked the Cuban to tall us something about a warmer climate for a change. Senor Rameriz thought a moment and then related the following incident :

"1 am a Cuban and I love Cuba, yet the extreme heat of some months each year is unbearable. You remember the entrance to Havana Harbour is guarded by Morro Castle. The garrison numbers about 200 men. Three years ago last June fche temperature rose beyond all previous records and the suffering was intense. The authorities were dreading the possible invasion of ;

CUBA'S DEADLIEST SCOUBGE,

yellow fever. News came to the city of the breaking out of the fever at the castle. Immediately steps were taken for the complete isolation of the fort. No boats were allowed to land from the infected locality, and none were brave enough to venture the casting of their lot with the garrison.

" The heat waxed in intensity as the days went by. Long had the distress signal waved from the fort flagstaff. The inmates were known to be dying by the score and in need of medicine 3 and supplies of all kinds, yet in all Havana not one heart seemed brave enough to make the venture of relief, which so surely seemed certain death. Each morning crowds gathered on the piers and gazed sorrowfully across the waters to the fated island. At sunset each day we watched the gates open and funeral corteges wind their way down the hill to the little garrison cemetery : we listened for the volleys of salute, their number denoting how many brave fellows had succumbed that day.

" One morning the climax appeared to be reached. The sun's rays fairly penetrated one's clothing and scorched the skin beneath. No air was stirring, and the water looked like hot and burnished steel. All Havana was gathered near the shore, watching anew the fatal spot where fellow human beings were bravely dying, yet gave no sign. As we apathetically gazed across the water, for the first time for three long weeks, a boat shot forth from the pier of Havana. It was loaded to the gunwales with provisions and medicinss, and none in that crowd needed to be told its destination. Our eyes then sought the guider of the little craft, and, to our horror, saw

THE SOLE OCCUPANT WAS A "WOMAN.

" Many a blush burned red on heated cheeks that moment. Then a universal shout of protest came — too late. Our coward hearts, shamed by that brave woman's fearless act, awakened us to offer as volunteers. She paused an instant from her rowing and silenced our murmurings with the wave of her small hand. 'I am alone,' she said; 1 from Havana not one regret will follow me. 'Tis better that I should go than a life upon whose tenure hangs the fate of others. Goodby.'

I' We stood silenb a moment after the clear voice ceased, aud then a mighty roar of admiration and adieu went forth." She bowed her head — we noticed now how young and beautiful she was — then silently bent to the oars, and under that Waning tun rowed straight into the jaws of death. We strained our eyes across the water; watched her strokes grow slower and slower as the awful heat sapped her very life, and finally pause exhausted (between Castle Morro's walls. Those faithful souls, brave and constant to the last, ref used admission, though we could feel the hunger and longing expressed in their long-suffering eyes. At length faint resistance ceased — they eagerly came down to the welcome boat— fairly lifted

THEIB AIJGEL OF MERCY

on waiting shoulders, and, followed by others bearing the medicine to which many poor fellows will owe their lives, are lost to our view within the castle walls."

The Cuban paused. Tb.B air in the little room seemed heavy and hot, so thoroughly had we entered into the spirit of the story, The senor's two auditors felt the awful suffocation his brave senorita suffered. We asked if that peerless sacrifice really culminated in her death. "Well, there's not much more to tell. The first effect we notedwas the reduction in the number of salutes over the soldiers' graves ; then one blessed morning when a breeze, all but cool, came straight from your northland, the distress signal was hauled down, and again the royal flag of Spain floated proudly from the battlements, denoting all was well within."

" Instantly the bay was dotted with boats. We flocked to the castle and exchanged congratulations with the Governor and his sadlydecimated garrison. We learned that undoubtedly not a life would have been preserVed had it not been for the brave maiden's timely succour. Now, there, gentlemen, is an incident of a land of heat."

" Yes ; what became of the girl ?" anxiously inquired the Long Islander.

" She is the happy wife of the Governor of the castle and is the idol of all Havana." — Nashville American.