Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11
A Famous Amazon.

From the London standard.
A very famous heroine in her day was Cata-
lima de Erauso, still remembered vaguely a. the
spanish soldier num-" She left memoi-s which
have been translated or summarized or '.ro-
mancifed" in most European tongues. The
truth of them has been disputed; but. upon the
other hand, popes and king. mobiles and va
wants accepted every word while evidence re-
manned TO support OF question the statements.
Catalina, we are told, ran away from q nun
merry in San Sebastian at the age Of fifteen,
transformed her conventual habiiiments into
doublet and hose and found employment as a
page in the household of a noble al Nalladolid
Driven from this refuge by the appearance Of
her father-who had no suspicion, neverthe-
less-she Joined an expedition sailing 20 Peru
under charge OF Don Ferdinand de Cordova
Her ship was wrecked of PATH and she alone
refused TO desert the captain, who stood bv his
vessel. Catalina then built little raft broke
open the treasure chest, took a. much gold rs
she could carry and set of for the shore, but
the captain drowned in embarking She
reached the town and accepted an engagement
as manager 20 the tailor who made her new
clothes. Complications OF business and
passion-for a great lady fell in love Rt sight
led to first duel, in which she killed her man
promptly. The great lady smuggled her out OF
prison. but Catalina found il necessary to repay
this service BY pushing the dame down stairs,
probably breaking her neck. Then she jumped
into boat, put to sea and was picked up BY q
Spanish vessel bound for Conception.
At this place her own brother Was secretary
to the governor. and he. all unconscious OF the
relationship. got her a commission in the army
Very soon afterward she distinguished herself
in an engagement. and for twelve wears ranked
as one of the most brilliant officers Of the
Spanish sergice-living mostly with her brother.
but keeping the secret. This happy time came
to an end in midnight duel, when she killed
4 \
brother. Flying for life once more. Catalina
ished, but she reached TucumAn after terrible
side, and another fatal duel brought her liter
ally to the gallows, but with the rope round her
neck she escaped. Travelling on to Cuzco she
Joined an alcalde with pretty wife and gen
tlemsn. his friend. In a very few DAYS Catalius
perceived that these two had an understanding.
The alcalde perceived il also. and took an op-
portunity to murder his Iaithless friend. BE
would have murdered his wife, but Catalina
snatched her TO the saddle and rode fnriously
for Cuzco. The slcalde pursuing, she ran him
through. but received desperate wound. The
fugitives got safe TO the bishops palace. Cass-
lima knew. however. that her secret must be dis
covered now. She had just strength enough TO
reveal il TO the bishop before fsinting. That
worthy man reported the whole story 10 the
king, who sent orders that Catalina should be
dispatched by the next ship. All Spain declared
for the heroine. At her arrival Count Olivarez
himself. the prime minister. met her; the king
kissed her: the pope sent for and forgaye her;
velasauez painted her portrait