The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-22
THE SOLDIER NUN.
She SIasqmeraded as n Man and Performed
Many Daring Deeds

She Masqueraded AS II Man and Performed
Many Daring Deeds.
In this prosaic and skeptical age it is
hard to find people who are ready to accent
without several grains of salt the story of
the romantic and adventurous career of
Catalina de Erauso, the Spanish soldier
nun Ana yet her memoirs are very well
authenticated and have been believed by
popes and kings, mobiles and savants.
Catalina, we are told ran away from n
nunnery i'll San Sebastian Mt the age of 10,
transformed her cOnventual habiliments
into doubet and hose and found employ
ment ms Il page i'll the household of n noble
Mt Nalladolid. Driven from this refuge bv
the appearance of her father, who had no
suspicion, nevertheless she Joined an eype-
dition sailing to Peru under charge of Don
Ferdinand dc Cor,iova. Her ship was
wrecked off l'aita, and she alone refused To
desert the captain, who stood 10y lis vessel.
Catalina then built Il little raft broke omen
the treasure chest took us much gold rs
she could carry and set oil for the shore.
but the captain WAS drowned in embark;nr
she reached the town and accepted an en-
GaSement as manager TO the tailor who
made her new clothes Complications of
business and passioiifor II great lady fell
iii love ut sighted TO Il first duel. in which
she Killed her man promptly The great
lady Struggled her ont of prison, but Catn-
lima found it necessary To repay this service
by pushing the dame down stairs. probably
oreaklnS her neck Then she jumped into
boat, put TO sea and was picked up by Il
spanish vessel bound for Concepcion.
At this place her brother was secretary to
the governor, and he, all unconscious of the
relationship got her n position in the army.
very soon afterward she distinguished her
self In an engagement and for l2 years
ranked as one of the most brilliant officers
or the Spanish service, living mostly with
her brother, but keeping the secret. This
happy time came to an end in II midnight
duel, when she killed man unknown. who
proved to be this same brother. Flyinc for
HE once more, Catalina crossed the Andes
All her companions persisted, but She
reached Iucuman after terrible adventures
Another love affair all on one side and
another fatal duel brought her literally to
the gallows, but with the rope round her
neck she escaped. Travelling on to Cuzco.
she Joined an alcalde with pretty wife
and gentleman, his friend. In very few
days Catalina perceived that these two had
an understanding. Tie alcade perceived
~ also and took an opportunity TO murder
his faithless friend. He would have muir
dered his wife but Catalina snatched her TO
the saddle and rode furiously for Cuzco.
The alcade pursuing, she ran him through,
but received desperate wound. The fug!-
tlves got safe TO the bishops palace Cata-
lima knew, however, that her secret must be
discovered now. She had just strength
enough TO reveal it to the bishop before
fainting. That worthy man reported the
whole story TO the king. who sent orders
that Catalina should be dispatched by the
next ship. All Spain declared for the her.
ONE At her arrival Count Olivarez him
SELL the prime minister. met her; the king
Kissed her: the pope sent for her and for
gave herr Naiesquez painted her portrait