The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-11-24

and weighs only 10 pounds. but his every
fber seems a combination Of sted and
rubber In fencing h. moves with iucrcd-
ibIe ease and rapidly. his eye Is Ike
lightning and. despite his hot spanish
blood. be- Is as cool aud impiaoable a. ice
and ever ready to take advantage Of an
opponents slightest error His skin r.
swarthy, his eyes black and restless. and
his whole bearing Is notable Tor an air o.
mystery and romance.
II was in 1897 that Cervantes first learn
cd 70 fence. lie studied under the great
est masters Of the art. SO extraordinary
was his progress that within less than a
year he was recognized as the frst
swordsman Of Cuba and since then the
most noted experts have failed 20 take
away from him this distinction.
: When Pint the celebrated French
fencer. was In Havana ne was Defeated
twice by Cervantes. whom he declared 10
De more expert with the rapler than any
other man against whom he had tired his
I skill
Most OF Ceramics duels have had
their origin IN political quarrels. for tho
hot headed Cuban has had stormy
career, and has played an important part
In all Of his country's struggles for free
den.
Although his fame has been won IN the
sanRunary role q duslist. Cervantcs
started life IN the peaceful calling Of Jour
nalist and but for the turbulent condl-
lions existing In his field OF opera lions ne
might have gone quiesly through life a.
- writer and without string Of moral
corlbats 70 his credit Don Cervantes
himself contends that he only became a
dueltet through circumstances for which
he had no control ana that az heart he
IL peaceable man and would sooner
WELD the pen than the sword
Ia lsss when only tweuty-one years Of
age. he started the Havana Daily Trib-
une. In thas paper he bravely attacked
the Spanish government and coutended
boldly for free Cuba. The Tribune be
came intensely popular with the Cubans
which fact 50 ineensed the Spanish Off
calls that they arrested its valiant edi-
tor. put him IN prison. suppressed his
paper. and conhscated his effects
Don Cervantes emerged from prison a
ruined man financially. but with unbroken
spirit. his andor for Cuba burning az
herccly as ever In short time he Ind
started another Revolutionary organ. the
Daily Separator. which strongly advocat-
81 Cuban Independence
| During this period he was frequently
attacked by Spanish officers. and. being
compelled 10 defend himself rosortea 10
the ancient code OF arms and stretched
several Of his opponents cold in death on
the field of honor. His rapid succession Of
victories and his Incompatible skill as a
swordstnan soon caused him 20 be feared
and dreaded. and the best dueiist in tho
Spanish army hesltated TO provoke the
Ire % the swarthy Cuban. burning with
zeal for his country, and ready TO aght
on the slightest excuse
When the revolution which resulted lu
the final surrsndering of the Spanish
yoke was stlll in its iucipicncy and before
= tho Cubans had vet taken up arms Ger
yantes was working night and day IN
pushing the conspiracy
His popularity and influence with the
adventurous young blades Of the city en-
abled him TO secure valuable recruits. and
he was also Instrumental in the raising
Of funds. He went to New York and en-
g.necred several successful nubustering
expeditions. notably the one which result
- in the sinking Of the J. ". Hawkins
Returning 20 Cuba. the brave knight OF
fortune placed himself IN the ranks of
his countrymen and fought calamity an
through the war. He served on the stan
Of Lacref Ruiz. Rosa and Gomez. ana
commanded the brigade OF Colon IN sever
al engagements
Eight days before the peace protocol
was signed. Cervantes was made a pris-
cner and confined IN the castle OF san
Severina. being released on tho entrance
Of the United States troops.
Since that time and after leaving the
military service. with the rank OF colonel
Cervantes has led a checkercd life Tie
had the misfortune 70 be out of sympathy
with the United states government. and
two papers which he started Freedom
and the Reconcenirado-had 10 he sup
pressed because Of their rabi1 anti-Amcr-
lean sentiments
Driven from his preferred calling. Ger
santcs was compelled 20 look 20 his sword
FOR a living. and he founded a school Tor
fencing The duelist numbers among his
pupils some OF the best-kuown men OF
Havana
A. "a result or his romantic career and
his reputation as a swordsman Don Ger
vantes has become the center. tho leader
Of an admiring company Of bloeled
youths. who re2ard him az their deal
their patron. their model
on all points concerning the code 81
dueIing his word IS law. ard he has on
ciatcd as master o. ceremonies Ia no less
than ~ duols. In fact. "a spite Of him
self. he can scarcely avoid being drawn
into any duel which occurs among men
of the upper classes.
The gilded youth speak Of Cervlntcs
as tho Providence OF Havana" hecaus,
OF his skill In saving them from the legal
consequences OF violating the ant-iueIng
laws which have gone into cnc.t since
the American occupation.
Of the ihirty-fvc duels which Cervautos
has fought twcnty-four resulted from 20
iiucnl causes and eight were affairs Z
the heart sixteen were fought with rl-
piers. eleven with swords and niue with
pistols. Ccrvontcs has b,en wound
twice. once by pistol shot in the breast
and once by a napier thrust iu the stom-
ach
Many stories are told % the daring AMI
high temper - Don Ccrvantes. the fol-
LOWING characteristic sample VIII sumce
20 show the character OF man he b. and
the chances one takes in trinlng with
him
According 10 the accepted version. 60 g.
said that one night. while Cervantcs wa
escortiug fair dauseuse from the stage
door OF the theater 70 her carriage
spanish oiiicer, standing near made SOM
remarks about the womau's personal
charms Cervantcs put MS compiuon 81
her carriage chatted for a moment at the
door. then returned 20 where the SPIN
lard was talking with his friends and
without word. handed him his card
But an actress Z" remonetrated the
challenged man. enjoys being compile
mented. ! hai no intention Of insulting
! her"
III. 3. a