The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-07
..THE SPANISH SOLDIER NUM-"
A Remarkable Career of Woman who
Disgnised Herself as Man.

A Remarkable Career of Woman lWho
Disguised Herself as Man.
A famous heroine in her day was
Catalina de Erauso, still remembered
vaguely as ssthe Spanish soldier nun.
She left memoirs, which have been
translated or summarized or roman
Cited in most European tongues, says
the London Standard. Catalina, we
are told, ran away from nunnery
in San Sebastian at the age of To-
transformed her conventional haDlll-
ments into doublet and hose, and found
employment as page in the house
hold of a noble at ValladOlid. Driven
from this refuge by the appearance
of her father-who had no suspicion,
nevertheless-sh joined an expedition
sailing to Peru under charge OF Fer
dinand de Cordova. Her snip was
wrecked off Paita, and she alone re,
fused to desert the captain, who stood
by his vessel.
Catalina then built little rSft, broke
open. the treasury chest, took as mucn
gold as she could carry, and then set
off for the shore, but the captain was
drowned embarking. She reached the
town and accepted an engagement as
manager to the tailor who made her
new clothes. Complications of bust
in love at first sighted to a first duel
in which she killed her man promptly:
The great lady struggled her out OF
prison. but Catalina found it neces-
sary to repay this service by pushing
the dame down stairs. probably break
ing her neck. Then she jumped INTO
a boat, put to sea and was picked up
by a Spanish vessel bound for Con-
ception.
At this place her brother was secre-
tary to the governor, and he, all un-
conscious of the relationship. got her
a commission in the army. Very soon
afterward she distinguished herself IN
an engagement, and for twelve years
ranked as one of the most brilliant
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 10
be this same brother Flying Tor Ire
once more, Catalina crossed the Andes
All her companions persisted, but she
reached Tucuman after terrible adven-
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 an
alcalde with a pretty wife and gem
tleinan. his friend. In a very few days
Catalina perceived that these two had
an understanding The alcalde per-
ceived 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 Cuzco. The al
calde pursuing, she ran him through,
but received a desperate wound. The
fugitives got safely to the bishops
palace. Catalina knew, however, that
her secret must be discovered now.
She had just strength enough to re-
veal 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 ship. All Spain declared for the
heroine. AT her arrival Count DIV
arez himself, the prime minister, met
her; the king kissed her, the pope sent
for and forgave her, and Velasquez
painted her portrait.