current to sweep the decomposing
matter into the Gulf Stream outside. The water in the harbor is
sometimes so phosphorescent at night that showers of liquid fire appear
to drop from a boat's oars passing through it; and the boat leaves a
long lane of light in her wake.

No stranger visiting Havana fails to see the spot in the cathedral held
sacred as the tomb of Columbus. His remains were transferred here with
great pomp, after resting many years in the city of San Domingo, whither
they had been carried from Spain.

The fish market and the "Tacon" theatre too, are well worth a visit.
Both of them once belonged to the same individual, the noted pirate
"Marti," whom I have seen many a time, in the streets of Havana, after
his reformation. He was then a venerable looking old gentleman

"As mild a mannered man
As ever scuttled ship or cut a throat."

For a long time he had been chief of all the piratical bands that then
infested the shores of Cuba. They plied their fearful trade with
comparative impunity; the numerous lagoons on the coast, only accessible
through tortuous and shallow channels, and hidden by mangrove bushes,
affording safe shelter; while they could easily intercept many vessels
passing through the narrow strait separating Cuba from Florida. They
gave no quarter to man, woman, or child, and scuttled their prizes after
taking from them what was most valuable. A ready sale was found for
their plunder in Havana through accomplices there; and their
depredations upon commerce finally became so extensive that the United
States Government fitted out an expedition against them. General Tacon,
at that time Governor-General of Cuba, also prepared an expedition to
operate against them. This fleet was on the eve of sailing. The night
was dark and rainy. A stranger, wrapped in a cloak for disguise, watched
the sentry on duty before the door of the palace from a hiding place
near by; and as the sentry turned his back for a moment or two from the
door, the stranger slipped by him, undiscovered, and proceeded rapidly
to the apartments of the Captain-General. His excellency was writing at
a table; and the stranger had opened the door and entered the room
without being discovered. When the Governor-General raised his eyes and
saw the cloaked figure standing silently before him, he stretched his
hand toward a bell near him, but the stranger interposed. "Stop, your
Excellency," he said, "I am here upon a despe