Delaware patriot & American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1828, 1828-05-13
ron THE DELAWARE PATRIOT.
FL pEsAr1o.
THE CHALLENGE.
Il TATE TRANSLATED md abridged .frotn The origfna.
Spanish oS boy ArAsAsIo .noSRoy.
~ \
Continued. }

| Spanish 0y UoN .fTAEASIo euoERoT.
/ CONTINUED
Gnn2a'o thought unly Of defiance and death
lie saw himself in danger Of losing at once his mis-
tress and honor. lie knew his antagonist to be G
stranger to fear and unti,alled a swordsman,
but this knowledge impeled to the contest one
weary of life. lie passed the whole night in the
dcepes. anguish. After frequent vacillations Of
mind he concluded that he must either BY his own
death leave Matilda at liberty to marry she Wish"
Ell, or kill the irte,loper who had b.hted his hap.
10y prospects But, alas. cried this unfortunate,
HOW will Naro1a's death benefit the ?-Can ac-
lCept the hand Of this taress s-No--I spurn
such ufamy--a heart 40 volatile and aisluYal is
unworthy one 80 pure As unrestricted o. these
and thousand Other tormentug thoughts Csrde.
uas Passed The night. which, to one thirstins for
vengeance. seemed eternal. Scarcely had the day
daWned. when he wrote unite, ordered . servant
to bear 1t to the Malqns. awaken him should he be
asleep. and bring an answer. Nillar"7a, who was
far from imagining that he had SO much lrrltated
GonTdlU. slept very Tranquility. and he ~ as not 4
little surprised. when, 'af awake, he read the fol-
flowing letter" have never taMely borne insult,
,and demand satisfaction for the Indecent and I'M
mani, tests Of last night send nv messenger
thus early. that betnre our townsneh awake vol
may have time to repair to the gate of the Rccue-
tos--- there you will tina me with no other weapon
than my sMOrd.''
The Marquis was astcni>hed by this terrible let
ter aud could not conceive how his innocent jests
had produced snca excessive irritation. 1t wag
exqu,itelv painful To be the foe of man so esti
enable a, Carlenas, and to be forced to draw his
sword upon the afiauce,l lover of Matilda. Butt
after much reflection. III conformity to his prlnci
pes he answered the ,e ter thus -
:. never have nor viii accept challenge, Ma
ture has not denied me courage, but | am NOT cou-
ra.eous enough to violate the laws of religion ard
the state-a fit exploit for trihing lads who have
not true notion Of honor. As have house,
well known, walk IN the streets, and shall visit az
usual. those WHO seek can easily fin mel never
shrink from explanation of my conduct which de-
flies scrutiny. Friends. like Gonzalo. will never
receive from me ausht but satisfaction"
Gonzalo astonished at this letter. lie had
not orbtcd for an instant that Vil,aroza would ac-
cept the challenge. and hasten 10 the place OF mees
ting, for he always thought, when challenged. with
cause, or without cavalier bound in honor to &C.
cept the invitation, and that it would be time
enough for explanation. should not death preclude
it. after the affair terminated. He was shocked at
. reply he deemed despicabe from of sucl,
i repue-'s Can this be,'' said he :. the much adj
y mred hero Of Italy a-who is brave enough to
iniure an honest cavalier by base dupicity, but,
f shelters himself under ridiculous afcctaton Of
: principle from his wrath'--But what most surpr..
: sed Cacienas was the concluding sentence OF the
letter. which seemed like das,ardly evasion Of
his challenge.
The MARQUIS. as soon as he had written to Com
ZaO, dressed nimselI qnlckly, anu Wltnout any
weapon, went in pursuit ot CardGhas--ap approaching
him, as cordially as if nothing had happened he
said tell me Gonzalo what has happened you ?"
I" will, after sword III hand you have given me
atstaction''-". between cavaliers, like u.s. there
is no room for explanations, fer As ION as chais
lenge passes, force. drxterity must ride their
difference -. This my tricnd is not my oin,on,
and | never change an opinion tail satisfied it is
erroneous"--'.I Is this the language ut man of
honor ~" know not what sou call honor, but
this ought to be The language oe reasonable beings"
l." According to this doctrine you can IN uie WITH
,mpuny'-s.E come. Gonzdlo to explain nv
principles. As religion aud the laws forbid my
giving or receiving challenge | endea, or 10 in
lure no man You are the frs. who ever com
rla;ned Of me. Doubtless, have my errors, bue
| if any one is senseess enough to use tie sword
against me. before he has ried the effect or
he will easily find me- and know how, If attacked,
to defend my self. IT, unfortunately, the man who
iancies himself offended, is friend like you, as
am sute he is mistaken, sure also o.!
satisfying him.. doubt if this language
would pass ia the army. between US it cannot
be tolerated. and wonder yor hold It, as i i
scid you do not want courage'-" Courage
have but reserve it for my enemles"-'s Well
then ain your eneniv--you seek III all things to
yet the better of ne hence tins affected modera
lion but your articles shall not avail 10 what
ever region you iiv, my vengeance shall follow VOC
If YOU were not now in my house e2'-"f
pardon this violence in the affianced lover OF Ma
tildar--" W fetch how dare You utter this names
when y0u have made the most miserable OF
meu''-" What say YOU Cardenas !"-'' ferhdiouf
villain how well you affect ignorance, how natu-
rally start You we'll know our disunlon, and you
are the cause.
Hear me. Gonzalo, pity your Madness and &c toe