The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-04-06
HE Was V.anquished
at Last
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER

al
called Admirable. Just before the
Spanish-American war we had a man
In Havana who / think would have
tied him, at least in a fight He was
Virg1nian and had come down think.
Ing that the times in Cuba were pro
pidous for a display of his accom-
plishments.
Naturally the sympathy Of all Amer
leans was with the Cubans. Fit
Hugh-that was the Virginian's name
was outspoken in his advocacy Of their
cause and, being citizen Of the Unit.
ed States, was protected from arres,
so long as he didn't commit any overt
act against the government. He fire.
quented public places, where he would
meet Spanish officers, giving expression
to his opinion Of the butcheries Of Cap,
tain General Weyler. Some Spaniard
would take him to task for doing so
and there would be challenge and a
duel and one less officer Of the Spanish
army fit for duty.
F1tz Hugh went out into the country
one day and stopped at hacienda be
longing to young widow She being
sympathizer with the Cuban cause
and Fitz Hugh being of the same mind
he was handsome dog-she enter
tanned him royalty. They were sitting
at the table, just finishing an excellent
dinner, when along came marching two
companies Of Spanish troops. There
was major in command, and he
halted his men before the gate OF the
hacienda and, walking up to the house,
called for Sonora Vendez, the owner
He was invited into the dining room
where he informed the lady that. she
being an avowed revolutionist, he pro.
posed to take her and put her in com.
mandero, or some other spread out
/ Spanish word, which meant she was
to be penned up with other rebel Gu.
bans. The widow, being defenseless,
signifed that she would go with him,
when Fitz Hugh spoke up.
"Senor major" he said, lit Is a very
easy matter for you to commit this
act Of tyranny upon a woman with q
battalion of men behind you, but
neither you nor any man in your com
mand could do 1t alone"
what do you mean, senor?"
Il mean that If you will give me an
opportunity l will defend the lady
against you singly, and, after you,
against any and all your officers, and
after that, against any and all your
men, to meet each adversary singly.
II / put you all out Of the fight the
lady to remain where she is"
"Who are you, senor?"
II am an American citizen"
"Ah! An American. We are having
much trouble with you Americans ex-
citing these Cubans to rebellion"
"You have chance to punish one
of them. Surely l cannot be expected
to vanquish every man in your COM
mand."
The major swore blue streak about
interference, threatening to take Fitz
Hugh along with the widow, but at
this Fitz Hugh smiled, saying that
only a coward would decline such a
proposition as he had made. The ma
jor was the son of one Of the most
prominent grandees of Spain. and his
ideas Of chivalry would not permit
him to brook the taunts Fitz Hugh
heaped upon him. He went out to
his command and talked excitedly with
his officers for awhile, then returned
with every one Of them-six in all
to the house. Reckoning Fitz Hugh and
the widow, he told the former that his
challenge was accepted. He would
fight the American first, and IL he were
killed or disabled the ranking captain
would take his place. and so on to the
junior second lieutenant.
The widow forbade Fitz Hugh to
enter upon so unequal q contest, but
he only smiled that imperturbable
smile of his and began to get ready for
the fray. Taking off his coat and vest,
he went outside with the officers. The
major did the same, and they squared
for an encounter with swords. F1tz
Hugh called to the widow to come
out on the veranda and witness the
tournament. assuring her that there
would be no blood spilled. On this
assurance she acceded to his request.
The two men had not fought FIVE
minutes before 1t was evident that the
American could have killed his ad-
versary FIVE times. Then he sent the
majors sword flying in circle in the
otr opd n 90 mo down fftv feet away
the point sticking in the ground. The
Senior captain was served the same
way and the junior captain also.
After that It was evident there was
no need for any more officers to take
a hand, but every one Of them insist
ed on a trial, and all received the
same treatment. Fitz Hugh vanquish-
ed every one Of the seven men with
out giving or receiving a scratch.
Well, the major and every one of
bis officers took Fitz Hugh by the
hand and swore he should have been
a Spaniard in the days when Spanish
gentlemen settled all their differences
with the sword, as all gentlemen
should settle them. Then they march
ed away, and Fitz Hugh told the wild
ow he would like to 60 back to the
table and finish a bottle of wine that
had been half emptied.
But Fitz Hugh had met an enemy
who was capable of vanquishing him.
The widow was so infatuated with
him that she wouldn't let him 60. He