The herald., 1837-05-10

publishing parts, "The Lives and Portraits of Cee-
brated Women" from which we make selection
never before seen IN this country 1t is accosnt OF
one Dodndi Catalina de Eranso the Nun ensign,
who seems rather iend than celebrated woman" !"
The adventures of the Nun. ensign--so called from
her habung herself in the fsilitary unform-are SO
curious as TO partake of the appearance of romance
though is stated that the documents which prove
her existence and exraordln ary adventures
Tous and authentic. This strange bang was, il ap
pears, born at Sebastian, in 1885 She was compelled
10 take the ven, but made her escape from the convent
and having assumed male attire for the purpose of
avoiding capture, her real discovered TIL
the lapse OF many years during which she fought with
great bravery a soldier in the New world, and was
promoted to the rank of Ensign. Her violent temper
LED her INTO many scrapes, and she committed several
murders-but ultimately obtained her pardon both
from King and Pope, and died IN obseurty. From
the history of this daring Amazon extract the fol-
lowing murder and duel -
The Nunensgn loved play with a sort of frenzy;
and the violence Of her temper rendered her disgusting
10 those who only sought amusement in H. She
was therefore dreaded in the gaming house. which
IKE always made point ofylsiting whenever she ar
rived in a town IN which any existed One day after
her return TO La Conception she was losing dis
pute ose about throws the banker want ed to speak,
but she ordered hm 10 be silent. He replied in a
word 50 insulting, that Catalina became frantic with
rage. Dare TO repeat that word, said she. The
unhappy man did so, and had scarcely uttered il ere
Catalina's sword was buried in his heart AT this mo-
ment young and noble Castlian, Don Francisco
Paraga, auditor general Of Chilli entered the room
With the authority of his rank and Office, he ordered
the ensign to leave the house. Catalina cast glance
OF bitter contempt at him. and made no other reply
Than TO draw her dagger-her sword still reeking
wit the blood OF the unfortunate banker Don Fran
cisco repeated his order in louder and more COM
mandlng voice, and al the same time seized Catalina
by the upper part of her doubet in order to enforce
her obedience As she felt his hand touch her bosom
she for moment became an indignant woman but
The stern and cruel soldier avenged the outraged
female. Ralsi her left arm, she stabbed Don
Francisco in the face and her dagger penetrated thro
his two cheeks. Then brandlshlng her sword and
dagger, and casting terrible look around the room,
she sprung upon the stairs and disappeared before the
terrified spectators could summon resolution to stop
her.
But though Catalina had succeeded in getting out of
the house, she knew that the vengeance of the man
she had wounded would be dreadful. She fully un-
derstood her situation, and the moment her fury was
appeased, perceived the full extent Of the danger she
had brought upon herself. There wasonly one mode
OF avertng it: that was TO seek the sanctuary of the
cathedral and thence retire 10 the adjoining convent
. of San Francisco. She had scarcely reached her
asylum when the governor arrived surrounded by his
soldlers-and Catalina was bockaded six months. 1t
seemed no doubt singular to her but to her alone
who knew herself to be apostate nun-tbat she
should be thus beseged in monastery, not for viela
ton of her first VOWS, bat for having killed two men
with her womas' hand and her tigers heart.
She had friend in her regiment Don Juan de Sill
va ensign of another company. One day he came
10 see her she walking alone and sad under the
gloomy arcades of the church, altering blasphemies
able to her. Don Juan had just had quarrel of so
Serious nature that the satisfaction he required could
not be deferred until tomorrow, but TO have been
given al III O'Clock the same night. On the rising of
the m0on the two adversarlcs TO meet in a wood
at a short distance from the rampa.ts. But have
seconds" said Don Juan, "and am come TO re-
quest you will perform that office for me-" The nun
started the appeal: this confidence in her courage
sent thrill through her heart-but cloud suddenly
passed her brow-a thought had come between her
and her fricnd-she frowned as she Looked at Don
VfRa.. al chr .ht h..
tray Der.
"Why fight beyond the walls, and at such an
hourW SAID she, fixing upon his countenance those
eyes which always sparkled with flame of the dark
est feroclty. Don Juan made reply. From her
look, and tone of her voice, he had guessed her
pciens.
"Alonzo!' he said at length, " since you refuse
your services will 90 unattended for have conf-
dence in no one but YOU.
81 will go, 1 will attend you" 1" cried Catalina.
The clock OF the conveA had Just struck ten when
Don Juan came TO fetch her. Both were wrapped in
large brown cdpss, under which they carried their
swords, whilst the sombrero concealed their faces.
These precautions would be more necessary at
any other time, observed Catalina as they both con
tlnHally stumbled from the darkness Of the night
The moon had not yet risen the sky was overcast,
the weather stormy, and not star TO be SEEN They
found Don Juan's adversary with his second, wait
ing for them. He who was to fight with Don Juan
was knight Of St Jago, named Don Francisco de
Rolas. The moment he perceived them coming TO.
wards him, he advanced TO the skirt of the wood took
off his cloak and soR,brero and addressing Don Juan
observed, that all reconciliation between them was
impossible, they had better not waste in un useless
words the time which might be more advantageous
ly employed in the work Of vengeance. Don Juan
bowed in silent acqliescence, drew his sword and
the comba, began Meanwhile the two seconds on
the skirt of the wood, and close 10 The combatans
took care Of the cdpds and sombreros, concealnp
however, their faces from each other, which Catalina
seemed most anxious TO do. They would, perhaps |
have quttei each other without recognition had not
Catalina, on seeing Don Juan receive wound and
siagger cred out That was the blow Of base and
cowardly traitorr'
y "Thou lestr replied the second Of Don Francisco
de Rojas
Catalina approached the stranger with her dagger
IN her hand IN an instant, blades of steel shark
led in the shade and the silence of the forest which
had been interrupted by the strife of the two prnci
pals only, was broken in upon by deadly combat.
arising from other tnan the Unsuitable thrs,
of a woman for blood.-Scarcely were the hostile |
weapons opposed each other, ere Don Francisco's
friend fell, mortay wounded. He asked for priest.
On hearing the agonzed cry Of her victim, Catana's
heart became vulnerable for the first time She
thought she knew the voice; and, leaning over the
dying man. she recognized, by the uncertain light Of
the moon which had just risen, features which struck
her with horror and remorsc
"Who are ysu then I" she asked, as If freproachng
her victim with the crirSe she had just committed
aeb" Captain Michael de Erasne," replied the dying