Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/106

84 As we know, Larry had been very much interested in the blowing up of the Maine. Before leaving Honolulu he had heard a later report than the first from the United States, by which it was stated that the Spanish authorities denied any knowledge of the explosion, and that the United States naval authorities were going to take matters in hand immediately by appointing a Board of Inquiry to fix the responsibility.

"This Cuban matter is something of a mystery to me," he said to the missionary one day, after the blowing up of the battleship had been discussed. "What is the real trouble down there; can you tell me?"

"I can tell you something, Lawrence, if not everything," replied Mr. Wells; "but in order to get at a proper understanding of the case I'll have to go pretty well back into history."

"I won't mind that, sir, so long as I've got the time to listen."

The two were seated under the shadow of one of the small boats, and after a second of thought the missionary began:—

"The story of Cuba from the very start has been one of persecution and intense suffering—