Butte record., 1856-06-14
Gbe 5torq.
The Ace of Spades.
BY FRANCIS A. pUR1vAGE.

Twenty to one | hit it at the first
shotn said Frank Traverse, young
American, as he pointed out to his
companions, a group of Cubans and
Spaniards, a playing cards, the ace of
/ spades pinned to the trunk of a palm
tree at twenty PAGES distance, in the
neighborhoodfof Havana.
Draw it rather milder, for Heay-
EMS sake, Frank, whispered his friend
Will Walters. New Yorker, long a
resident of Cuba.
Twenty to one centre the acer
repeated Frank Traye Sc looking
round him.
'You are iesting amigo, said a
dashing young Spanish officer, Capt.
/ Antonio Alvarez, of the Lanceros.-
You are je>ting or You want to throw
away your money
That my look out, captain; will
you take me up!'
'Crrtainly?'
well then I'll make the offer fairer
will turn my back to the mark
wheel at the word fire! and discharge
my pistol at one-two-three. You
shall give the word, if you like
'Doner
Traverse turned his back to the card
The captain gave the word. Ira
verse wheeled and fred at two
Captain Alvarez ran up and examined
the card. He returned stroking his
coa!-black moustache.
'You did it certainly said he, 'but
1t was chance shot
A chance shotr repeated Ira
verse. a hundi ed to one III do it
again four times running
'Done.' said the captain.
The second shot widened the hole
made by the first. The circumference
of the third cut the circle Of the Sc
cond-the fourth and fifth shots wi
dened the aperture. Tie card was
handed round amidst the admiration
Of the company.
Traverse smiled as he put the card
in bis vest pocket.
This is nothing said he, 4 have
mace better shots. There is nothing
wonderful in it, lave lived with the
pi. tol in my band
"Do you undcr~tan the small sword
also, senor,' asked the lanccro, care
L. ly.
'InddiHerently WE'LL replied Ira
verse.
What do you say to a bout!' asked
the captain.
With all my heart
Alvarez smiled aud signed to an at
tendant to bring the foils. He offered
the American his shoice. The young
men laid aide their coats. Traverse
beat the blade of his foil to try It's
temper and spring; it proved to he Of
the best German steel. Alvarez toss
ell his high in the air, caught It with
the right and left hands, threw it over
his arm, and played with it in a thou
sand dcxterous fashions. At Last they
salut. d gracefully and intc'clanged
tie preliminary passes to ascertain
their distances.
'On guard cried the Spaniard,
stamping his foot; and the ghttering
blades wee engaged.
Traverse was accounted good
swordsman. He made pass and his
antagonist sent his blade whiring thir-
ty feet in the air.
TAX" mine, beg you,' said Alvarez,
with polite bow.
Picking up the Americans sword,
he renewed the encounter, and touch
ed his antagonist lightly on the breast.
Traverse lunged in return, and was
disarmed instantly.
I give it up, said he, gaily. st
George was not more a master Of
swold.'
1t is nothing answerd the Span
lard. indifferently, yet well pleased at
the compliment. 'aly feeling is ike
your shooting. have lived with the
sword in my hand. 1t is my favorite
weapon
He is an inveterate duelist,' whis-
pered Walters to his friend.
He has killed -four men to my Ger
tain knowledge, and each one was
drilled in a different place. His
success makes him something Of
bnlly.'
/ Come gentleman, to horse' said
Captain Alvarez. The sun has al
most touched the horizon--the sea-
breeze has sprung up-we shall be in
time to pay our respects to the ladies
on the PaSco.'
The gay party lighted their cigars,
and mounted their little Andalusian
horses and cantered toward the city
at an easy pace.