The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-08
SPANS SOLDIER NUN.
Disguised a Man She Made "a Gallant
Offcer and Fought Duels.

n "a
Ofticer and Fought Duels.
A very famous heroine in her dav
was Catalina de Erauso. still remem-
bered vaguely as the Spanish soldier
nun" She left memoirs, 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
kings, mobiles and savants accepted
| every word, while evidence remained
to support or question the statements.
! Catalina, we are told, ran away from
| nunnery in San Sebastian at the age
| of fifteen, transformed her conventual
| habihments into doublet and hose and
| found employment as n page III the
| household of a noble at Vaiiadolid.
| Driven from this refuge by the appear
| ance of her father-who had no sus-
| picion, nevertheless-she joined an ex-
| petition sailing to Peru under charge
| of Ferdinand de Cordova. Her ship
was wrecked off Paita and she alone
refused to desert the captain, who
stood by his vessel Catalina then
built little raft. broke open the treas
ure chest, took as much gold as she
could carry, and set off for the shore,
but the captain was drowned in en-
barking. She reached the town and
! accepted an engagement as manager To
the tailor WHY made her new clothes
Complications of business and passion
for great lady fell in love at sight
led to first duel, in which she killed
Har h.. falr
struggled her ont of prison, but Cata-
| lima found it necessary TO repay this
service by pushing the dame down
stairs, probably breaking her neck.
Then she jumped into a boat, put To
sea and was picked up by Spanish
vessel bound for Conception.
At this place her brother was secre-
tary to the governor and he, all un-
conscious of the relationship. got her q
commission in the army. Very soon
aftcrward she distinguished herself in
an engagement. and for twenty years
ranked as one of the most brilliant Of
ficers of the Spanish service-living
mostly with her brother but keeping
the secret This happy time came 10
an end in midnight duel, when she
killed a man unknown, who proved 10
be this same brother. Flying for life
once more, Catalina crossed the Andes
All her companions persisted. bat She
reached Tucuman after terrible adyeu-
lures.
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 a n
AIcalde with pretty wife and gen.
tleman. his friend IN very few DAYS
Catalina perceived that these two had
an understanding. The Alcalde per-
ceived it also. and took an opportunity
10 murder hIs fsithleSs friend. lie
would have murdered his wife. bat
Catalina snatched her to the saddle and
rode furiouslv for Cuzco. The Alcalde
pursuing. she ran him through. but re-
ceived a desperate wound The fugi-
tives got safely to the bishops palace.
Catalina knew, however. that her 49,
cret must be discovered now She had
Just strength TO reveal II 20 the bishop
before fainting. That worthy man re-
ported the whole story 10 the king.
who sent orders that Catalina should
be dispatched By the newt ship All
Spain declared for the heroine. At her
arrival Count OIivarez himself. the
prime minister. met her; the king
kissed her; the pope sent for and for
gave her: Nclzsquez painted her po--
trsit-London Standard.