Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-08-27
A SPANISH BRAVAD0.
REVOLVING SCENE PICTURED BY A
CASTELAR, NOVELIST.

A Striking Description of the Daring and
Courage Displayed by the Retired Gen
eral Who Would Not Permit an Eng.
lishman to Guido Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist, Valdes,
in one of his most popular stories c'Sis-
ter San Suplice, +" translated by Nathan
Haskell Dole) gives description of q
retired Spanish general S afternoon out
which will illuminate many chivalric
incidents in Spanish life and APPLY illus
trates the reckless daring and courage
of which the average naughty don is
literally possessed. The scene is 4 sort
of picnic grounds in the outskirts OF
Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
on the increase among the rutfians. The
period of unmannerly action had come
Ono of them climbed upon tho table TO
make speech, and the others, by way
of applause, threw sherry and manza-
nilla in his face. Another was trying
to lift with his teeth companion whom
drunkenness had stretched out or the
floor. He did not succeed. He merely
toro his sack coat. Still others were
committing absurd and eXtravagant ac-
lions, making great noise and uproar
1.-THE count remained grave and silent
drinking one glass of sherry after an
other. But his eyes We're no longer, rs
usual, incomprehensible and unfathom-
able, like those of q man tired of life.
Though he did not speak or move about
he seemed different man.
1.-THE Englishman had taken off his
jacket and waistcoat, and, rolling up
his shirt sleeves, was exhibiting his
biceps, which were really powerful, and
trying to break empty bottles on his
arm. Once blood had como, but he
went on breaking the bottles without
paying any attention to it. Then he ask
ed the waiter to bring Il bottle of rum
and large glass He filled this TO tie
brim with the liquor, and then slowly,
without moving Il muscle or even wink
ing, he drained it to the bottom. Then
he sat down at the table opposite the
count aud said solemnly:
- You can't do thar.
"a flash of fury cleaned through the
harebrained nobleman's eyes, but he
succeeded in restraining himself, and,
turning the rest of the bottle into the
glass, he calmly ordered the waiter to
bring him some pepper. He threw i'll a
pinch of it, then threw into it his cigar
ashes heaped up before him, and, with
out saying word, with the same scorn-
full, contemptuous smile, drained the
glass, and, not content with that, bit it
in pieces. We saw his lips spotted with
blood. The company received with oles
and shouts Of triumph this proof of an
unconquerable stomach, i'll which 1t
seemed as though the national honor
were concerned.
.sOur neighbors in the other booths
must have reached the same happy
grade OF temperature, for nothing was
heard but extravaganza shouts, the crash
ing of glasses, coarse laughter and
swearing.
1.-The count was not yet satisfied with
his victory over the Englishman. While
he was swallowing with apparent calm
ness the glasses of liquor which were
offered to him he did not cease to de-
your him with his eyes, carried away
by dull madness, which soon broke
out. His eyes, which were the only parc
of his impassive face that moved,
cleaned more and more ferociously, like
those of q mailman when straitjacket
has been put on him. The Englishman
continued to boast of his strength. He
was now thoroughly intoxicated and
talking impudently enough to the 9TH
ers, who were not so drunk.
$3.50 you are very valiant, are your
asked the count, still smiling disdain-
fully.
"'AIore than you, retorted the Eng
lishman.
"Don Jenaro started to springat him,
but the others restrained him. Soon
calming himself, he said:
"'If you are SO brave, why not put
your hand on the tablet
"'What for:'
"'To pin it down with mine.
1.-The Englishman, without an in
stant's hesitation, stretched out his
huge, brawny hand. The count took out
of his pocket a damaskeened dagger and
laid his delicate, gentlemanly hand on
the Englishman S, and without heslta-
ton and with ferocious grip he raised
the point with the other and drove it
through both into the table.
1.-THE women uttered cry OF terror.
All of US men ran to their assistance.
\ few left the place in search of help.
In an instant our booth Was filled with
blood. From the wounds great drops OF
blood streamed, staining the handler-
chiefs which we applied to them.
"a doctor who happened to be among
the bystanders dressed the wounds pro-
visioDally with the few means at his
disposal. The count smiled while they
were dressing his hand. The English
man was as sick rs horse and vomit-
ing Soon the count was doing the
same, and both were taken to such
rooms as the establishment had to offer
and went to bed Every one left, COM
mcnting on the barbarism of the decd. "
4 Coed Soldier.
The mastering in of Company G, the
last to take the oath. was marked by an
incident worthy of patriotic soldier.
G., at the last moment, was lacking a
man and the sargeants We're out scour-