The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-11-09
CATALINA, THE SOLDIER NUN
Spanish Woman Who Fought Equally Wen
on Battle and DueIing Field.


on Battle and DueIing Field.
A famous heroine in her day was
! Catalina dc Erauso, still remembered
vaguely as the Spanish soldier nun.
| She left memoirs which have been
! translated or summarized or 40
mancifieG" in most European ton
CUES. The truth of them has been
disputed, but the London Standard
points out that, upon the other hand,
popes aud kings, mobiles and saYants
accepted every word, while evidence
remained 70 support or question the
statements. Catalina, we are told,
ran away from a nunnery in San Sc
bastian at the age Of Is. transformed
her conventional habilimeutS into
doublet and hose and found employ
ment as page in the household OF a.
noble at Naliadolid- Driven from
this refuge b. the appearance of her
father-who had no suspicion, never.
theless-she Joined an expedition
sailing to Peru under charge OF Ferdl-
nand de Cordoya. Her ship was
wrecked eff Paita and she alone re-
fused to desert the captain, who
stood by his vessel Catalina then
built a little raft, broke open the
treasure chest, took as much gold as
she could carry and set off for the
shore, but the captain was drowned
embarking. She reached the town
and accepted an engagement as man
ager to the tailor who made her new
clothes. Complications of business
and passion-for great lady fell III
love at sighted to a first duel, III
which she killed her man promptly.
The great lady smuggled her out or
prison. but Catalina found it neces-
sary to repay this service by pushing
the dame downstairs probably break
ing her neck Then she jumped into
boat, put to sea and was picked up
by Spanish vessel bound for Con-
cepcion.
At this place her brother was sec
rotary to the governor, and he, all
unconscious of the relationship, got
her a commission in the army Very
soon afrerward she distinguished her
self in an engagement, and for twelve
years ranked as one of the most brill
liant officers of the Spanish service
living mostly with her brother, but
keeping the secret This happy time
came to an end in midnight duel,
when she killed a man unknown, who
proved to be this same brother Fly
ing for life once more Catalina
crossed the Andes. All her com
panions perished, but she reached
Tucuman after terrible adventures.
Another love affair all on one side,
and another fatal duel brought her
literally to the gallows, but with the
rope around her neck she escaped.
Travelling on to Cuzco she joined an
Alcalde with a pretty wife AID gen
tleman, his friend. In Il very few
days Catalina perceived that these
two had an understanding. The Al
calde perceived it also and took an
opportunity to murder his faithleSS
friend. He would have murdered |
his wife, but Catalina snatched her
to the saddle and rode furiouslY for
Culco The Alcalde pursuing, she
ran him through, but received des-
perate wound. The fugitives got !
safely to the bishops palace. Gaia
lima knew, however, that her secret
must be discovered now. She had
just strength enough to reveal it to
the bishop before fainting. The
worthy man reported the whole story
to the King, who sent orders that
Catalina should be dispatched by the
next snip. 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 ana forgave her, and
Nelasqucz painted her portrait.