downpours of rain.

The Spanish soldiers, weakened by the fevers of the island, are in no
condition to withstand these hardships, and every march they make causes
them as heavy a loss as an engagement would.

The Cubans are perfectly aware of this fact and are using it to their
own advantage.

There was a report during the week that General Gomez was hemmed in by a
Spanish column near Sancti Spiritus, and was in great danger. It was
further stated that several of the rebel bands hurried to their chief's
aid as soon as they heard of his peril.

There would appear to have been little truth in these rumors, for he is
reliably reported to be advancing on Havana.

A story has reached us about a certain swamp in Matanzas province, which
the Cubans used a great deal in the early part of the war, but have
since been obliged to abandon for want of a guide to lead them through
it.

This swamp is remarkable for the many beautiful and healthful 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.