Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-24
A DUEL By aAsL1aHT.
Exciting sword Com mbaf--Ffgbt BE.
tween a cuban and . N Eng ltsh man
-sh~y Fight w ith sabres- moth N en-
Wounded.

|
From the New ork Herald. February l5J
The name of Francisco de Porto is
we'll known. He is a CUBAN, and has
already proved his own love of country.
! Young, his age being g'tweuty-eight, mus
| culsr, though 1.-THE aud active, and of or
dinary hight, de Porto is handsome,
dashing fellow, with brill ant black
eye, cenoting fire and energy. II sp-
pesrances form any criterion, ne is mod
est and unpretending. He has already
displayed his prowess as due list at the
Heidelberg University, where he was
some years student, but more recently
ia Canada, where last summer he met in
mortal combat De Couto, the editor Of
the Spanish journal El Cronista, who. it
appeared, had cast Some aspersions upon
his reputation. The parties connected
with that affair met in secluded grove
on the Canadian siole, between four and
i've o'clock in the morning. The duel
was fought with pist OILS and terminated
In DE Porto being severely wounded in
both thighs, the Spa nish editor narrowly
escaping II may be mentioned that De
Porto has already figured prominently in
the Cuban war, and since his return to
this city has taken an active part in the
affairs of the Cuban Junts. His latest
opponent was Mr.. George Proude, an
Englishmau, not very dissimilsr in either
age or appearance 10 his antagonist. If
anything, he might be said TO be more
powerful, though he lacked the fiery as
pect OF De Porto. .Proude is said to be
a gentleman Of some pretension, as we'll
as OF moderate means and respectability.
But the physical capabilities of the COM
batants not being just so serviceable as
their scientific Qualifications in the pro-
gress of the. encounter last night. we for
bear further reference to their physique.
WHAT CAUSED THE QUARREL.
That the members of the Cuban Juuta
have recently been subjected to severe
criticism for the alleged tardiuess of their
actions has heretofore fully be,n ex.
planned. Moreover, the Cubaus ia this
city, those ct least ever seemingly anx.
ious about expeditions, have from time to
time been subjected to censure from some
cause which even their critics could not
clearly detise. Il was alleged, forsooth,
that the Junta intended nothing ps-acti-
cable, that the young Cubaps were dis
porting them around the city, wishing at
the same time that men of other nation
alities should go forth and fight for tlieir
freedom. Njr did those with busy
mouths hesitate to proclaim that the
Junts and their followers were reclining
ln otium cum dignitate, intent on
harvesting the funds aud disposing of
them for other purposes than was gem
orally supposed. Such like rumors were |
abroad, With what effect it ia needless to
observe. Thsir truth or falsity has long |
been determined. Howbeit, such insiuu-
ations we're not calculated to act favora |
bly, on the minds of the brave Cubans |
who had so nobly banded together to
support their gallant cause. Besides, o |
Cuban, with his proud associations, is not |
the one to listen calmly to stories affect.
ing his honor, more especially when the
derogatory expressions emsnate from
one supposed TO be more or less indiffer-
ent to the result of the present war;
Now, Mr.. Proude being an Englishman,
and considering the conduct of his own
countrymen in the late rebellion, it was
natural to infer that his extreme sym
psthy did not entirely rest with the
slaves of COba.
For months they had known each
other, aud it appears that q mutual feel
ing OF regard sprung up between them.
Lstterly, however, the friendship began
20 cool Along with others, Proude had
freely INDUCED in bitter tRunts, FREE
quently accompanied by cntiiDg sarcasm,
about the action of the Cabsus ia this
city. Again and again did De Porto
urge upon his quondam friend to desist
from expressing himself so recklessly
aud unwsrrantably about the JuBta. Mat
ters went on in this wsy for week or
two, when at length the seeds Of enmity,
which had so quickly ripened, bloomed
forth in anger on Saturday night. By
design or accident the parties met in q
certain hotel up town. The old quarrel
was renewed Words we're spent freely
until, at length, characteristic observs-
lion BY Proude-an observation signih.
cant of sa approaching kick-plsced
De Porto in fever heat, the result OF
which was that be sPat IN bis opponents
face.
There was a crowd present, snd The Ia
sue was apparent The circumstance
created considerable excitement = the
duel was st hand. Boiling with indigns- /
ton, Proude Immediately rendered the /
challenge to mortal combst--a challenge
which Vrs at once accepted, and ieel-
ing Of contentment was thereupon dis
played By all. With great promptness
The preliminary arrangements we're pro
ceeded with, the discussion being marked
with much GOODNESS, Notwithstanding that
the previous Wralhial debate had Jnst
concluded. The seconds we're not Tar
ausv. and. after q little consultation, !
there uas chosen on behalf Of De Porto I
a Mr.. Alfred Neill, and for Proude, Mr.. :
Charles Pitman. The compact vss
hen agreed to, and the only question to
ss DISPOSED Of Was as To the weapons and
he battle ground.
The eomba.anis sers determined to