The Cairo bulletin., 1911-02-18
es N 5sgs g84 w " n ~ --
He WasV anquished
at Last
By WILLIAM CHANDLER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

"Crichton," explained AguenaIdiz.
twas so accomplished that he was
called Admirable. Just before the
Spanish-American war we had a man
In Havana who think would have
tied him, at least in fight. He was
Virginian and had come down think
ing that the times In Cuba were pro-
pitious for display Of his accom-
plishments.
Naturally the sympathy OF all Amer
leans was with the Cubans. Fitz
Hugh-that was the yirginian's name
was outspoken In his advocacy Of their
cause and, being citizen Or the Unit
ed States, was protected from arrest
so long as he didn't commit any overt
act against the government, He fre.
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 80.
and there would be challenge and q
duel and one less officer Of the Spanish
army flt for duty.
Fitz 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 a 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
mandcro, or some other spread out
Spanish word. which meant she was
to be penned up with other rebel Gu
bans. The widow, being defenseless,
signified that she would go with him,
WIEN rAtI I1uEn spoke up.
"Senor major" he said, 1T Ia a very
easy matter for you to commit this
act Of tyranny upon woman with
battalion Of men behind you, but
neither you nor any man In your COM
mand could do 1t alone"
= what do you mean, senorw
Il mean that II you will give me an
opportunity l win 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.
IF 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 a chance to punish one
Of them. Surely 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 d
proposition as he had made, The ma
jor was the son OF one Of the most
prominent grandees Of Spain, aud his
Ideas Of chlvalry would not permit
him to brook the taunts Fitz Hugh
heaped upon him, He went out to
his command and talked cxcitedly with
his officers fog 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 II 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 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. Fitz
Hugh called to the widow to come
out on the yeranda and witness the
tournament, assuring her that there
/ would be no blood spilled. On this
J assurance she acceded to his request.
The two men he'd not fought five
minutes before It was evident that the
! American could have killed his ad-
versary five times. Then he sent the
majors sword flying in circle In the
J air and II came down flfty feet away,
the point sticking In the ground The
senior captain was served the same
way and the junior captain also.
| After that 1t was evident there WAS
no need for any more officers to take
n hand, but every one OF them insist
ed on trial. and all received the
same treatment Fitz Hugh vanquish-
| cd every one Of the seven men with
out giving or receiving scratch.
Well, the major and every one of
his 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 Titz Hugh told the wild
ow he would like to so back to the
table and finish a bottle of wine that
had been half emptied
Rnt Eitz HUGH had net an enemy