Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-20
A DUEL BY GAS LIGHT.
An Exciting Sword Combat.

- . oAo NSONA-Dsnts
A duel was fought at one of the fash
ionable uptown houses in New York
few days since, by Cuban named Fran
cisco de Porto, and an Englishman named
George Proude. The difficulty between
these two gentlemen was occasioned b7
Porto-during a heated discussion O
Cuban affairs-spitting in the face o.
Proude. The New York Herald says:
The cOmbatants were determined [,
fight. Both were good swOrdsmen; boil
lad wrOngs-the Cuban 10 ayenge tb,
SANDER on his countrymen, his opponent
TO wipe out the stain that the defiant
expectoration Of De Porto had inflicted.
with what weapons should they fight
Pistols? no; for said they, "any fool can
shoot; it takes a swordsman to fight a
duel, and so swords We're the weapons.
DE Porto insisted on fOils, but Proude
desired the rdinaTy sabre used by cayal-
cry. This question formed the subject of
much wrangling, but finally De Porto
consented, and so far matters afforded
mutual satisfaction. All this occurred
up town, near the house Of a common
friend, and fashionable one at that, in
West Nineteenth street
To that house, then, the parties, ac-
companied by their seconds, on Sunday
night repaired. There was no noise, no
unusual sound to disturb the quietude Of
the place. Few were aware that within
an hour one of two human beings might
probably breathe his last. The Drepara-
tons were made in silence, and the hour
OF clock yesterday morning was await
Ell with anxiety. The edges of the keen
blades were carefully examined and for a
heightened period scarcely a word was
spoken.
1t was 2 O'Clock In the spacious back
parlor Of the house in question the parties
assembled ere the echo of the chimes had
died out. Both cOmbatants stripped for
the contest, the seconds now and then
whispering something to those about TO
engage. Only half dozen persons were
present each Of whom was thrilled bY
nervous excitement. A splendid chande-
Tier shed flood of light around the room,
though otherwise the place was excessive
~ cold, so cold, indeed, as to necessitate
the wearing Of a thin walking coat by
each Of the duelists, both of whom were
attired in tight pantaloons, all under cloth
ing being entirely dispensed with. All the
arrangements having been completed, the
combatants announced their readiness to
proceed.
4 dead silence cnsucd, while an ashy
p2lencss seemed to be the prevalent COM
pleEion Of every man in the room. The
word was given, and the duclists crossed
swords, and having taken three PAGES
backwards, the fight commenced. At
first slight timidily was apparent on
both sidCs-nOt so much timiditv. per.
haps, as the nervous expectation incident
to the opening Of the encounter. Finally
after some little hesitation, De Porto ad-
vanced, PTOudc meanwhile on the alert 10
receive him. The scene was exciting
All at once the few spectators were
startled by a sudden cut made by PrOude
at the head Of his opponent who, how
ever, deity parted and retired pace OF
two. Upto the present both had Observ-
ed comparatively serene demeanor, but
it was evident the duel could not be
prolonged one, each being bent on deadly
strife. Having again crossed, great skill
was displayed by both, their eyes flashing
with fire, ami cndeavoring, as it were, to
penetrate each others intent.
Admirable swordmanship was displayed,
the cuts being rapid, well directed, and
parted with precision. Up to the pres
ent, which was about five minutes from
the commencement, DePorto had escaped
with a slight scratch on the chest, PrOudc
heing unframed, when suddenly, DePorto
offering a tempting chance, PrOude ad-
yanccd upon him and inflicted q diagonal
cut upon the right thigh II was fatal
move for Proule, for no sooner had he
leaned forward 10 make the cut than, with
lightning-likc rapdiiy, DePono followed
up the coHfrafiio, gashcd his opponent
on the right shoulder, causing a wound
some five inches in length and about one
and a half inches in depth. His sword
arm was disabled.
Proudc dropped his blade, exclaiming,
Enough for to-day; you will give me
my revenge another time, to which De
Porto replied:
Il am always At your disposition.
subsequently the parties shook hands
and the wounds were examined. That
inflicted on De Porto, though some eight
inches in length, was scarcely a quarterof
an inch in depth, while Proudc's was of a
us character, the blood streaming
fIOU it in profusion. He was immedi-
ately conveyed to his residence in Brook
Ign, where the proper assistance was pro
cured
And thus terminated The sanguinary
contest, the chiyalrous Cuban on the one
hand vindicating the slight cast upon his
countrymcn, and the Englishman avenging
the bitter insult he had sustained At the
conclusion Of the duel De Porto-who by
the way was an officer on the Lilian-inti-
mated with marked GOODNESS that he was
always at home in West Twcnty-sccond
street for any person who took the liberty
of questioning the Tccti'ude Of the Cuban
cause and it's supporters in this city.