ul spots that
are situated in its interior, notwithstanding that it is surrounded by
almost impassable bogs.

The entrance to the swamp is so little known that in the whole Cuban
army there was but one man who could guide the insurgents through its
intricacies to safety.

This man, Colonel Matagas, had lived in the swamp for many years, and
was thoroughly familiar with it.

He was, however, killed in battle, and after his death the Cubans
abandoned all idea of using the swamp.

The insurgents have lately been joined by a South American named Avelino
Rosas, to whom General Gomez confided the leadership of a portion of the
army.

This man set himself to learn the secret of the swamp, and after much
patient work discovered it. He immediately devised a means of putting it
to military use, and has besides established a number of Cuban hospitals
in its depths, confident that they will there be safe from molestation
by the Spaniards.

The insurgents are showing such extreme activity that some stirring
action may be looked for ere long.

We must not expect a pitched battle, for the insurgents are too wise to
attempt to face the enormous force of Spain in a decisive engagement.
They have been highly successful in their plan of harassing detachments
of the Spanish army while on the march, destroying supplies, capturing
outposts, and thwarting the plans of its leaders.

Captain-General Weyler has decided to give up the town of Bayamo in
Santiago de Cuba. He has ordered the inhabitants to move to the town of
Manzanillo, and has asked permission of the war department to burn
Bayamo to the ground.

His reason for giving up Bayamo is that there is so much sickness among
the troops in Santiago that they are not equal to the strain of checking
the activity of the rebels and holding the town.

We have already told you how the rebels intercept every train of
supplies that is despatched to the outlying cities, and it is easy to
believe that the Spaniards have no light task in trying to hold these
towns.

You will be glad to know that the crimes against the unfortunate
soldiers are not to be allowed to go unpunished.

We told you of the shameful system of robbery that prevailed in the
Spanish army; how the unprincipled officers took the money apportioned
by the Government for the soldiers' food, and, pocketing one-half of it,
kept the poor fellows on the short rations they could purchase with the
other half.

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