The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-04-29
CBe Qailg Jonrnal
TIE ACE OF SPACES.
BY FRANCIS A. DURTvAGE.

Twenty to one hit it at the first shot I
said Frank Traverse, young American, as h
pointed out to his companions, group Of Gu
bans and Spaniards, playing the ace 0
spades, pinned TO the trunk OF palm tree a
twenty PAGES. distance, in the capacous gar
den OF country seat in the neighborhood o
lIavana
Draw it rather mildcr for heavens sake
Frank, whispered his friend, Will Waters, {
New Yorker, long resident Of Cuba
. Twenty to one centre that ace p re
ported Traverse, looking round him.
You are jesting, amig2," said dashing
young Spanish officer, Captain Antonio Alva-
raz, of the lancerOs. "You are jesting. or you
want to throw Away your money"
+" That's my look out, captain, will you take
me up ?"
Certainly"
Well, then, I'll make the offer fairer. !
win turn my back TO the rnarl--wheel at the
word FIRE and discharge my pistol at one
two-three. You shall give the word, if you
like"
Done =
Traverse turned his back to the card. The
captain gave the word. Traverse wheeled and
fired at two" Captain Alvarez ran up and
examined the card. lie returned, stroking his
You did it certainly said he, "but it was
q chance shot"
:" A chance shot, repeated Traverse. "a
hundread to one I'll do Il again four times run
ring"
Done," said the captAin
The second shot widenel the hole made by
the first The circumference of the second
the fourth and fifth shots wdened the aper-
ture. The card was handed round amidst the
admiration Of the company.
Traverse smiled as he put the card in his
vest pocket. This is nothing," said he, Il
have made better shots. There is nothing
wonderful in it, / have lived with the pistol
in my hand"
do you understand the small sword, also,
senor," asked tie aacero, carelessly.
IndiilcTentiy weli," replied Traverse
"What do you say to bout 2" asked the
captain.
+" With all my heart"
Alvarez smiled, and signed to an attendant
to bring foils. He offered the American his
choice. The young men laid aside their coats
Traverse bent the blade of his foil to try its
temper and spring, it pr wed to be the best
German steel. Alvarez tossed his high in the
air, caught it with the right and left hands,
threw it over his arm, and played with it in q
Thousand QeXteFOuS iaSnlOnS. al last lncy
saluted gracefully, and interchanged the pre-
liminary passes to ascertain their distance.
"On guard" cried the Spaniard, stamping
his foot; and the glittcring blades were en-
gagged
Traverse was accounted a good swordsman
lie made pass, and his antagonist sent his
blade whirling thirty feet in the air.
Take mine, beg you," said Alvarez, with
polite bow.
Picking up the Americans sword, he renew
Cd the encounter, and touched his antagonist
lightly on the breast. Traverse lunged IN re-
turn, and was disarmed instantly.
''I give it up" said he gaily ''St. George
was not more master of the sword"
"Itis nothing" answered the Spaniard, in
difieref tly, yet well pleased at the compliment
My fencing is like your shooting. | have
lived with the sword in my hand. 1t is my
fivorite weapon"
'iie is an inveterate duelist,7 whispered
! Walters to his friend. Gle has killed four
men to my certain knowledge, and each one
was drilled in different place. His success
makes him something Of a bully"
Come, gentlemen, to holss." said Captain
Alvarez. "rhe sun has almost touched the
| hofizon---the breeze has sprung up--we shal
be in time to pay our respects to the ladies OF
the Pasce" sss -.-4.7 III. t..ls
The gay party lighted their cigars, nountet
| their little Andalusian horses and cantered to
ward the city atan easy pace. as E.ao io4
| rsHuus sI4l -isaa--- 0l ef fE#-
IT, c,.I1 11-nw 80,