The Coconino sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1891, 1891-06-20
A BLOODY BET WAS WON.
4 HORRIBLE STORY OF A RECK-
LESS GAMBLER.
He Had Lost Everything, when He Stalk
ed His Two Ears on a Wager to
Eat n Human Heart--He First
Got the Human Heart.

II knew in SPAIN" says an ex-gen-
eral of an European regiment ga man
named Bianchi, captain in the Sixth
Regiment of the line-he was killed
at the siege of Tarragona-who staked
his ears against 1000 ecus. He bet
them fairly and squarcly. His adver-
sary was another captain of the same
regiment an Italian like himself and,
like him, a scapegrace. They were
two very dare-devils, but good officers
excellent soldiers.
I'VE were then bivouacked in Spain.
Bianchi needed 1000 ecus for the fol-
lowing morning, and as he possessed
only |, 500 francs, he fell to throwing
dice on a drumhead with his comrade,
while their companions were prepar-
ing supper.
There were, ma fol, three fine
quarters Of goat meat cooking in a pot
beside us, and the rest of us officers
watched alternately the game and the
goat meat, the boiling Of which sound
ed very agreeable in our ears, for we
had eaten nothing since morning.
Our soldiers came in one by one from
their foraging expeditions, bringing
wine and fruit.
I'VE had a good meal in prospect
The pot was suspended above the fire
by means Of three poles arranged in
the form of a fasces, and sufficiently
removed from the flames not TO burn;
besides, the soldier, with that marvel
Gus instinct which characterizes them,
had raised a little rampant Of soil
around the fire.
"Bianchi lost every thing, He did
not utter n word; he remained as he
was, squatted on the ground; but he
crossed his arms upon his breast looked
at the fire, the sky, and occasionally
at his adversary. At that moment
feared lest he might do some wicked
act-he seemed ready to murder his
opponent. Finally he arose suddenly
as il to flee from some temptation. On
arising he kicked over one of the three
poles which upheld the pot and the
goat meat, and our supper went to the
-FOUR Wl0uS OF heaven.
I'VE sat by in silence, and, although
the famished stomach does not have
much respect for passions, we dare say
nothing TO him. so much did it pain us
TO see him. The other was counting
his money. Bianchi burst out laugh
ing. He looked at the empty pot and
perhaps thought that he now had no
more supper than money. He turned
toward his comrade and said with an
Italians smile:
do you want to bet your 1000
ccus, pointing to Spanish sentinel,
posted about $50 meters distance from
our picket, whose bayOnet we saw in
the moonlight, do you want TO bet
your |, 600 that without other weapon
than the spit of your Corporal, and he
took the snber of a foOt-guard, i will
not go to that sentinel, bring back his
heart cook it and eat it?'
- Yes, said the other; but suppose
you don't succeed
Well he said in that case you
shall cut off my two cars.
| - agreed, Sdlu Jl9 OLlcf.
You are witnesses OF the bet,
cried Bianchi, with triumphant air,
turning toward us.
And he started off.
I'VE had no longer any desire to
eat. We all spra.g to our feet to see
what he would do but we saw nothing
at all. In fact he turned into path
and crawled like a serpent; we did not
even hear the sound that leaf might
make in falling. Our eyes did not quit
the sentinel. Suddenlya slight groan,
deep and hollow 'heu' made us start.
Something fell Boum! And we nc
longer saw the cursed-excuse me,
ladies. the cleaning bayonet.
Five minutes aftcrward that scape.
grace Blanchi was galloping in the
distance like a horse. He came back
to us very pale and painting fearfully.
He held in his hand the Spaniard'S
heart and showed it laughingly to his
adversary.
The latter said to him with serious
air: That's not all!'
a. know it, replied Blanchi.
Without washing the blood from
his hands he set up the poles again
readjusted the pot quickened the fire
cooked the heart and ate it withou
being in the least incommOded.
HE pocketed the 1000 ecus. which
he had promised to a little Partisan
vivandiere with whom he was smit
tent"