The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-03-28
He Was Vanquished
at Last
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER
Copyright by American Press Asso-
Ciafiop lgtI
BY WILLIAM CHAN

trNhtoh' eApidineu AguenhlulI,
was so accomplished that he was
called Admirable Just before the
Spanish-American war we had man
In Havana who | think would have
tied him, at least in a fight. He was
u Virglnian 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 Virginian's name
was outspoken I'm his advocacy of their
cause and, being a citizen Of the Unit
ed States, was protected from arrest
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.
Fitz Hugh went out into the country
one day and stopped at hacienda be-
longing TO "A young widow. She being
a sympathizer with the Cuban cause
and Fitz Hugh being of the same mind
he was n 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,
signi6ed that she would go with him,
when Fitz Hugh spoke up.
"Senor major" he said, sit Is very
easy matter for you to commit this
act OF tyranny upon woman with n
battalion of men behind you, but
neither you nor any man in your COM
mand could do 1t alone"
What do you mean, senor?"
81 mean that If you will give me an
opportunity | 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, l to meet each adversary singly.
II put you all out of the fight the
lady TO remain where she Is"
Who are you, senorY
Il 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 vanqulsh every man in your COM
mand."
The major swore a 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 q
proposition as he had made. The ma
jor was the son of one of the most
prominent grandees of Spain, and 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 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 If 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 a 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
fer an encounter with swords Fitz
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 bod not fought FIVE
minutes before IL was evident that the
American could have killed his adj
versary FIVE times. Then he sent the
majors sword flying in circle in the
air and 1t came down fifty feet away,
the point sticking In the ground. Tho
senior captain was served the same
way and the junior captain also.
After that II was evident there was
no need for any more officers TO take
Il hand, but every one of them insist
ed on trial, and all received the
same treatment. Fltz Hugh vanquish-
ed 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.
! Cd owoV md IHitz Hugh fold tho yvid