North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-09-16

cd chorus. II vas received with enIhusI
asm, and after the braves had subsidized,
Success, !" said Aivss, Ito the arms o
Christine, and damnalion 10 the Pretend
( CT ="
/ Scarcely had he spoken the words, wher
one OF the guests advanced towards Alyas
he was man of forty years oil age, oil a
commanding stature and military air, and
was enveloped in cloak that had seen
many campaign. He was, in fact, re-
turning from his furlough to the head
quarters Of Don Carlos.
II is said that we eapnot resist our dest-
my AT oil events We are often in mood
10 brave it, or 10 yield 10 the impulse OF
our passions, little caring for the conse-
qnences. The saiirst has often lost his
best friend by an irresistible bon mot or
epgrani the caficaturisi by sketch. A
look OF scorn, or hasty word, which can
not be recalled, or which pride forbids US
TO retract, have led to many a scene of
bloodshed. So with this officer.
Eyeng the company with look of
scoTn he said, "a will allow no one in my
presence to be wanting in respect 10 our
legitimate sovereign -
Legitimate sovereign, indeed !" NUT
tered Alvas, and then, "Tbe Constitution
forever Down with the Pretender 70 he
vocilerated, his voice rising to .fortissimo
under the fiery impulse of his feelings.
Who are you?" demanded the Cap
tain, that "you venture TO talk thus2"
" My name said the young man, rising,
"is AIvas."
"Alvas" replied the other. know
that name. If mistake not, you once
attacked an escort which commanded. !
You are a contrabandist and a brigand."
Lar!" retorted Alvas. "You shall
suffer for this,
AT these words, Marg arita sprang from
The ground, and threw her arms about
Alvas, crying, Jesu Maria Avas be
'alm Think Of me-" Alvas hover, sha-
tlng her off, and, tearing the reteciHa
rom his head, and throwing it down on
he floor with violence, struck the officer
blow that nearly ielled him to the
,rouRd.
He who has not experienced, can scarce
y conceive what terrible effect blow
PRODUCES That flesh, grating against your
Iesh, seems as 1t were, to tear your hearts
ul. You feel the blood curdIe within YOU
the fire of shame consumes you The
tain ofsuch degradation can only be wash
d out with blood
Several o! the party now got up, and
eparated the infuriate pair.
Tomorrow" muttered the officer,
rinding his teeth. II
Tomorrow be t." repeated Avas. II
Silence was again restored, only inter-
upted by the snoring of the guests, that q
'rmed concert on all sides. Whether q
ivas and the officer joined in it, know j
OF; but the recollections of the scene /
ave described, Of the blow, and The reply, Ii
light well disturb their slumbers. a
At day break, as the caravan was pre- s
airing, in maritime phrase, TO get under t
eigh, | observed the officer parading c
ackwards and forwards before the inn, in r.
lie midst OF the muleteers busiIy engaged D
saddling the horses and loading the
east of bur.hen. He was at times NUT
ring to himself curses against the Chris q
nos. He was waiting for Avas, sword h
hand; and the whole Of the company at
e inn, after the line was formed, were n
king in groups, and lingering ia expec- ~
ton of the duel, which they knew to be W
evitable. Alvas soon made his appear 10
ce, accompanied by Margarita and her y,
other. The timid and frightened girl =,
AZ clinging TO her lover. But as soon as ai
saw his adversary he threw her off.
" Back, girl" he said. "HoId her,"
hen turning to the officer, he said to him, su
We have an account to settle. Make a ma
cle," said he to the cabaleros. "Every M
e his own arms" W.
With these words he threw his mantle
IN off his shoulder, and rolling it round in
left arm. the poinard in his right, he pr
she'd at his antagonist. The officer could Of
but be aware how critical was the sit tn
ton in which he stood. Wherever he dis
med his eyes he saw none but hostile IA
} and threatning looks. he
Being an inhabitant Of Andalusia, where II
had served for some years, he was sti
own to several of the party, among the vi
{, to the brother Of Margarita, as hav- vic
shown great activity in the apprehen- III,
u of the smugglers and bandits; and III,
was more detested on that de-
count than as partisan OF Don Carlos. pla
might be supposed that one who had de- sol
red himself openly an enemy to the me
and the existing Govern
nj, would have incurred risk to his perso-
liberty in declaring such political opin-
s; but as the civil war had only just -