A successful landing.

At ten o’clock that night, by the aid of a naphtha launch and two big surf boats, which had been taken out of Jacksonville, the “Three Friends” landed the men and ammunition from her hold, and from that of the “Mallory.”  It took four and a half hours to complete the job.  There were hundreds of men on shore to assist, and they did it silently, appreciating the peril of the position.

The Cubans on shore recognized General Collazo immediately, and no words can describe their joy on seeing him.  He is a veteran of Cuban wars, and one whom Spain fears.  In fact, it is known that during his sojourn in Florida he was shadowed by detectives, who had been instructed to spare no expense to keep Collazo from reaching Cuba.  When it was whispered that Collazo was really among them, they seemed not to believe their ears, but came forward and looked, and, seeing that there was really no mistake, threw up their arms and wept for joy.  Major Charles Hernandez and Duke Estrada were also enthusiastically welcomed.

It was reported that night that Maceo had received the arms of the first expedition that set forth three days before the “Three Friends” landed.  They were not from the “Commodore,” for they reported that they were now on the lookout for that vessel.  They said, too, that at the end of the week four expeditions were afloat.  Two, including the “Three Friends,” had landed, and two more were on the way.  Tuesday morning, as the “Three Friends” was returning, she sighted a steamer that answered to the description of the “Commodore.”  She was headed southward, and pushing along apparently at the rate of fifteen knots an hour.

Here is the story of the capture of an expedition, by Commander Butron, of the Spanish gunboat “Mensagera”: 

“The ‘Mensagera’ was directed to watch the coast between Cayo Julia and Morrillo, about one hundred miles.  It was heard on the afternoon of April 25 that a suspicious schooner had been seen near Quebrados de TJvas.  The gunboat followed, and found the ‘Competitor.’  The usual signals were made, but the schooner tried to get closer in shore, so as to land a rapid-fire gun.

“The ‘Mensagera’ was then moved forward and fired a shot, which struck the schooner and exploded a box of cartridges which the men were trying to take ashore.  Several occupants of the schooner became alarmed, and threw themselves into the water, fearing an explosion of dynamite.  The gunboat’s crew seized rifles and began shooting, killing three men.  Several others reached shore.

“Three men were aboard the schooner when it was overhauled, and they surrendered without resistance.  Among them was Owen Milton, editor of the Key West Mosquito.  Sailors were sent ashore to capture the arms landed.  In the skirmish, two men, supposed to be filibusters, and a horse were killed.  They secured several abandoned cases of cartridges.  A body of insurgents had come to watch the landing