The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-09
DueI A L'Oatrauce betweca two spnnEaras
1904

The very day oil his arrival the Baron lie
Bearn informed him that il he would, he
might enjoy the pastime of seeing mortal
combat between two Spsniards, OF whom
the. one was called the captain Saint Croix,
and had been a colonel in the Pope's In
fan.ry, and the other the lord Azevedo, who
had also q command in the same corps.
The occasion OF their fighting was that Aze-
vedo alleged that the captain Saint Croix
had intended to assassinate him wickedly
and treacherously, and he challenged upon
it; the other replied that he lied, and ac-
cep;ed the challenge. Wherefore Azevedo
came to Fenara to present himself TO the
Duke de Nemours, and request he would
give him field of combat, which he did
when the Baron de Bearn had introduced
him. When Azevedo was assured OF his
field, he forthwith sent to his enemy Saint
Croix, who did not tarry long. Meanwhile
the field Of combat was prepared before the
palace. Saint Croix arrived well accom-
panied, iol he had with him full one hun
bred horse, whose chief, whom he had cho-
sen for his sponsor, was Don Pedro de Coig-
mes, knight of Rhodes and Prior Of Alessina.
There were with him also Don Francis de
Beaumont, who shortly before had left the
service of the King of France, and others
Two days after his arrival he demanded to
bring the matter to issue in a trial of arms.
They entered the field on Tuesday about
an hour after midday. First appeared the
challenger, Azevedo, with the lord Frederic
de Bazalo, whom he had chosen for his
sponsor. As he did not yet know how OF
with what arms his enemy, chose to fight he
was provided, like well advised man, with
every thing necessary for man-at-arms,
whether on horseback or Oil foot, in every
possible way in which fighting could be inn
agined. Shortly after his entrance the Pri-
or of Messina came towards him, carrying
two secrettes, two very sharp rapiers, and
two daggers, which he presented to the lord
Azevedo TO choose from; who took what
suited him.
Afterwards Saint Croix entered the field.
Both knelt down and made their prisons to
God. They were then felt over by the
sponsors TO ascertain that they had no ar
mour under their garments. This done,
every one voided the field except the two
combatants, the two sponsors, and the good
Knight, who, TO honor him the more, and
because no one was better acquainted with
such matters, was appointed by the Duke o.
Ferrara master and keeper of the field.
The herald then proclaimed, as usual il
such cases, that no one should make any
sign, by splitting, coughing, or otherwise, by
which any intmation might be conveyed to
either of the combatants. They then adj
vanced towards each other. Azevedo held
his rapier in his right hand and his dagger
in his left; bur Saint Croix sheathed his
dagger, and held only his rapier. You may
suppose il was mortal combat for they
had no armour to protect them. They deli
vered many wary blows, for each had firm
foot and good eye, and much these wert
needed. At length Saint Croix dealt dan
gerous blow straight at the face, which Axe
vedo skilfully parted with his rapier, anC
his own weapon, in its descent, cut his ad
veversary'S thigh to the bone, and the blooC
ncontnently burst forth in great quantity
Saint Croix attempted to advance to aveng,
himself, but fell, upon which Azevedo ex
ultingly approached him, saying in his Ian
yuage.
"Yield thee Saint Croix, or will slay
ghee.
But the other, sitting up and holding hi
sword in his hand, exclaimed that he woulC
rather die than yield.
Azevedo thereupon said,
r Rise then, Saint Croix will no
strike thee thus"
And in truth il was dangerous, as havin!
to do with a desperate man. With th'
stout heart he had, Saint CrOix raised him
self and made two steps in advance, think
ing TO run his adversary through. who re
treated step. beating down his thrust.
Saint Croix fell a second time, lorwar
ON his face; and Azevedo had bis swor
raised TO strike off his head, which he NIGH
well have done if he chose, but he retiret
his blow. Notwithstanding all this, Sain
Croix would not yield. The Duchess o
r Fenara, who was with the gentle Duke d.
Nemours, besought him with clasPed hand
to separate them. He replied,
Madam | would really do so for low
Of you, but in honor | neither can nor ough
to ask anything of the conqueror agains
reason.
Saint Croix was fast bleeding to death
when the Prior of Messina. his sponsor, ad
yanced to Azevedo, saying,
"Lord Azevedo, know we'll the hear
Of captain Saint Croix. that he would rath
er die than yield; but, seeing his state ad
nlits of no alternative, yield myself 70
him."
Thus Azeyedo remained victor, and
kneeling down, very hunbly retnme,
thanks to our Lord. A surgeon fosthwitI
came and staunched Saint Croix's wound
and his people, lifted him up, carried hin
out Of the field with his arms which Azeve
do sent to demand, but they would not Civ,
them up. He came TO complain to tn,
Duke Of Ferrara; and the good knight wa
charged to go and tell Saint Croix that,
he would not yield his arms as conquered
the Duke would have him carried back Il
f the field, where his wounds should be re
opened, and would put him in the sam,
state in which his enemy had left him whel
his sponsor had yielded for him. When b.
saw himself compelled he gave up his arm
TO the good Knight, who, as right required
delivered them to the Lord Azevedo, wit
with trumpets and clarions was conductet
i IN n al l,,l- Il