The Press., 1898-09-08
A SPANISH BRAVADO.
REVOLVING SCENE PICTURED BY A
CASTILlAN NOVELIST.

CASTILlAN NOVELIST.
A Striking Description of the Daring and
Courage Displayed by the Retired Gem
er@l Who Would Not Permit an Eng
lishman to OutdO Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist, Valdes,
in one of his most popular stories (''Sis-
ter San Suplice, " translated by Nathan
Haskell Dole) gives description of
retired Spanish generals afternoon out
which will illuminate many chivalrio
incidents in Spanish life and aptly illus
trates the reckless daring and courage
of which the average naughty don is
literally possessed. The scene is sort
of picnic grounds in the outskirts of
Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
ON the increase among the ruffians The
period of unmannerly action had come.
One of them climbed upon the 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 on the
floor. He did not succeed. He merely
tore his sack coat. Still others were
committing absurd and extravagant ac-
tions, making great noise and uproar.
"The count remained grave and silent,
drinking one glass of sherry after an
other. But his eyes were no longer, as
usual, ncomprehensible and unfathom-
able, like those of a man tired of life.
Though he did not speak or move about
he seemed a different man.
''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 come, but he
went on breaking the bottles without
paying any attention to it. Then he ask
ed the waiter to bring a bottle of rum
and large glass. He filled this to the
brim with the liquor, and then slowly,
without moving a muscle or even wink
ing, he drained it to the bottom Then
he sat down at the table opposite the
count and said solemnly:
You can't do that.
"a fash of fury cleaned through the
harebrained noblemans 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 in
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, in which it
seemed as though the national honor
were concerned
Our neighbors 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 Eng1ishman 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 part
of his impassive face that moved,
cleaned more and more ferociously, like
those of madman when straitjacket
has been put on him. The Englishman
continued to boast of his strength. fHe
was now thoroughly intoxicated and
talking impudently enough to the 9th
ers, who were not so drunk.
$50 you are very valiant, are your
asked the count, still smiling disdain-
fully.
More than you, retorted the Eng
Iishman.
"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 tableP'
What for?' .....-. .......
"'To pin it down with NINE.
"The Englishman, without an in
stant's hesitation, stretched out his
huge, brawny hand. The count took out
Of his pocket damaskeened dagger and
laid his delicate, gentlemanly hand ON
the Englishman's and without hesita-
ton and with ferocious grip he raised
the point with the other and drove it
through both into the table.
"The women uttered cry of terror
All of us men ran to 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-
visionally with the few means at his
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 to bed. Every one left, com
menting on the barbarism of the deed y