Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-12
A SPANISH BRAVADO.
REVOLVING SCENE PICTURED BY A
CASTELAR, NOVELIST.

Courage CispIayed by the Retired Gen
eraI who Would Not Permit an Eng
| lishuinn to Guido Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist. Valdes,
in one of his most popular stories isis
ter san Suplice," translated by Nathan
Haskell Dole) gives a description of 4
| retired Spanish general 5 afternoon out
which Nyiil. 9illuIHIHate> many chivairie
| incidents in .STIanish4 ife andeapnly illus
tIs,tes the reckless daring and courage
of which the average naughty don is
| literally possessed. The scene is a sort
of picnic grounds in the outskirts of
Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
On the increase among the .ruffians. The
period of unTlannerly action had come
One of them climbed upon the table to
make a speech, and the others, by way
| of applause. threw sherry and rnanZa-
nilla in his face. Another was trying
TO lift with his teeth companion whom
drunkenness Lad stretched out on the
floor. He did not succeed. He merely
fore his sack coat. Still others were
committing absurd and extravaganza ac-
tions., making IA great noise and uproar.
1.-The count remained grave and silent,
drinking one glass of sherry after an
other But his eyes were no longer, as
usual incomprehensible and unfathom-
able, like those of man tired of life.
Though lac did not speak or move about
he seemed "A different man.
The Englishnau had taken off his
Jacket aud waiScoat, 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 come, but he
went on breaking the bottles without
paying any attention TO it. Then he ask
| ed the waiter IL bring "a bottle of rum
and Il large glass. a He filled this to the
| brin, with the liquor, and then slowly,
without moving "A muscle or even wink
| ing. he-drained it 20 the bottom Then
he sat down at the table opposite the
count and sud solemnly:
- You can't do that
"A flash of fury CLEANED through the
harebrained nobleman's eyes. but he
succeeded III restraining himself, and,
turning the rest of the bottl,. into the
glass. he calmly ordered the waiter to
bring him some pepper. He threw III a
pinch of 1t, then threw into it his cigar
ashes hcaped up before him. and, with
out saying Il word, with the same scorn-
full, contemptuuus smile, drained the
glass. and, not content with that, biz it
III 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 it
seemed as though the national honor
We're concerned.
Our neiShbors in the other booths
must have reached the same happy
grade of temperature, for nothing was
heard but extravagant shouts the crash
ing of glasses, coarse laughter and
swearing.
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 We're the only part
Of his impassive face that moved.
CLEANED more and more ferociously, like
those OF 4 mailman when "A straitlacket
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
80 you are very valiant, are your
asked the count. still smiling disdain-
fully.
More than you, retorted the Eng
lishman.
Don Jenaro started to spring at 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
THE Englishman, without an in
stant's hesitation. stretched out his
huge, brawny hand. Tho count took ont
of his pocket a daraskeened dagger and
laid his delicate, gentlemanly hand on
the Englishman and without hesita-
ton and with ferocious grip ne raised
the point with the other and drove it
through both into the table.
The women uttered q cry of terror
All of us men ran 10 their assistance
A 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 handker-
chiefs which we applied to them.
"A doctor who happened TO be among
the bystanders dressed the wounds pro-
visionalky with the few means at mis-
disposal The count smiled while they
were dressing his hand The English
man was as sick as a 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 &C bed Every one left, COM
menting on the barbarism of the deed e"