The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-18

without gloves. This exasperated the Spaniard
to such an extent that he published an edlto-
rial article denounclng the unknown author as
q coward and daring him to reveal his name.
On the following day Senor Porta, Vene-
zuelan by birth, but long resident OF Havana,
publicly proclaimed himself the writer Of the
offensive articles and assumed the entire re-
sponslbility Of their contents. Simultaneously
with this announcement q friend" OF Senor
Porta called upon the editor OF Ell Cronista
and offered him the alternative OF retIacting
all the slandsrous articles which had appeared
Of fighting duel ITO the DEATH" according to
the statutes Of the code. The first horn OF the
die NINA being out Of the question, an agree
ment was Immediately made to fight IN Can
ada, Just outside the boundaries Of the United
States.
Pistols were the weapons chosen, and the
spot selected was within q short distance OF
the famous battlefield Of Lundy's Lane. Ac-
cordlngly, on Friday last, the party consisting
seconds-Gutierez de Ia Vega, late Civil Gov
ernor Of Havana. for Ferer, and Don Perico
Almentero, Of Havana, and Colonel Rivas, OF
New Granada, for Porto-took the train Tor
their destination. No unnecessary time was
lost after their arrival in selecting the ground
and arranging prellminaries, and at o'clock
on Sunday morning they went to retired
grass. grown spot. partially hidden by trees,
and then and there. and with no spectators
the pistols were examined and carefully loaded,
the cruel surgical instruments with their sug-
gestiye accompaniment OF lint and wrappers
made ready for instant use, and the brief space
which should separate them from death calm.
~ and mathematically measured of.
The choice Of position was awarded to Fer.
rer, and each man walked to bis appointed
place, with the weapon Of death firmly clench-
ell 10 his hand, and fierce determination
elo wing on his countenance. Each stood side.
ways on his chosen spot, clinched hls left hand
resting on his hips behind. Three shots were
exchanged, AMI fourth was demanded. The
seconds stepped to one side, the surgeons
ODD in aDxioue expectation, and for mo-
meDt there was silence.
One-The men halt turned, and raising their
shining weapons, run their eyes along the bar
rels.
1wo-An eager nervousness dashed through
tbair limbs and made them rigid as death.
Three.-A simultaneous double flash, Whit
of smoke and sharp report, and Senor Porto
half turned, staggered and fell shot through
both legs.
Instantly the participants gathered around
the wounded man, the surgeons examined and
dressed bis hurts, and after they had declared
that he wonld not be able to continue the con-
test. be was hurried into one Of two carriages
in waiting. while Ferrer's party got into the
other, and both we're out Of sight in minute,
Senior Porto was taken to the international
Hotel, at Niagara Falls, where he lies in crit:
ical condition, and Ferrer and party returned
to New York, carrying adoubt of Porto's life OF
death.
A few hours after the duel the entire party
we're arrested by the Canadian authorities. but
through the aid CT Mr.. Fulton of the 1nterna-
tional Hotel, they we're released.