The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-09
NUN WHO FOUGHT.
"A Remarkable Instance OF Fem
mine Courage.
Disguised in Doublet and Hose tho Young
Spanish Maiden Meets and VAN
quishes . Man In
Duel

A famous heroine in her way was
Catalina de Erauso, still remembered
vaguely as the spanish soldier nun
She left memoirs which have been
translated or summarized or romance
fed" in most European tongues. Inc
truth of them has been disputed, out
the writer points out that, upon the
bthe- hand, popes and kings, mobiles
and servants accepted every word
while evidence remained to support OF
question the statements, says the Phil
adelphia Telegraph.
Catalina ran away from nupnery
In San Sebastian at the age OF fifteen,
transformed her conventual habili-
ments into fdoublets and hose, and
found employment as a page in the
household of a noble at Valladolld.
Driven from this refuge by the appear
ance of her father-who had no sus-
picion, nevertheIess-she Joined an ex-
pedition sailing for Peru under charge
of Ferdinand de Cordova. Her ship
was wrecked off Pita and she alone re-
fused to desert the captain. who stood
by his vessel Catalina then built
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 en-
gagement as manager to the tailor
who made her new clothes. Complica-
tons of business and passion-for a
great lady fell in love at sighted to
a first duel, in which she killed her
man promptly. The great lady SNUG
gled her out Of prison, but Catalina
found 1t necessary to repay this service
by pushing the dame downstairs. prob.
ably breaking her neck. Then She
jumped into boat, put to sea, and
was picked mp by Spanish vessel
bound for Conception.
At this place her brother was secre-
tary to the governor, and he, all I'M
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 Of
ficers of the Spanish service-living
mostly with her brother, but keeping
the secret. This happy time came to
an end in a midnight duel, when she
killed man unknown, who proved to
be this Same brother. Flying for life
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 pretty wife and a gen
. tleman, his friends. In a very few
days Catalina perceived that these two
had an understanding. The Alcalde
perceived it also and took an oppor'
tunity to murder his faithless friend
He would have murdered his wife, but
Catalina snatched her to the saddle
and rode furiously for Cuzco. The
Alcalde pursuing, she ran him through
but received o desperate wound. Thu
fugitives got safely to the bishop
palace. Catalina knew, however, that
her secret must be discovered now
She had just strength enough to revea
It to the bishop before fainting. Th'
worthy man reported the whole stor,
to the king, who sent orders that Gaia
lima should be dispatched by the mex
ship All Spain declared for the hero
Inc. At her arrival Count Olivarez him
self. the prime minister, met her; th'
king Kissed her; the pope sent for ant
forgave her and Yelasquez painted he