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Updated: June 25, 2025
After a short conference and a reference to Griscelli and myself, the seconds announced that we were to fight with swords in Señor de Medina's garden, whither we straightway wended, for there were no police to meddle with us, and at that time duels a la muerte were of daily occurrence in the city of Caracas.
I had not handled a sword for years, and for aught I knew Griscelli might be a consummate swordsman and in daily practice. On the other hand, he was too stout to be in first-rate condition, and, besides being younger, I had slightly the advantage in length of arm.
Three days afterward Carmen, apprised by his wife of my arrival, returned to Caracas, and I became their guest, greatly to my satisfaction, for the duel with Griscelli, besides making me temporarily famous, had brought me so many friends and invitations that I knew not how to dispose of them.
At that time Corsicans were greatly in favor; several members of the Griscelli family belonged to the secret police and had great influence, and as I never took an alias and my name is not common, I was tracked like a criminal. Once I had to leave Paris by stealth at dead of night; another time I saved my life by simulating death. But why recount all the attempts on my life? Another time, perhaps.
"I'll shoot him unless he prefers cold steel, and then I shall serve him as I served General Griscelli; and 'pon my soul I believe Griscelli was the least rascally of the two! I would as lief be hunted by blood-hounds as be stabbed in the back by anonymous slanderers!"
I also give Ramon an occasional dose, and he is the most vigorous man of his years I know. I sent some to Giessler, but he said it was an empirical remedy, and declined to take it. He preferred electric baths. I take my electric baths by horseback exercise, and riding to hounds. Yes, I believe I shall finish my century without becoming senile either in body or mind if I can escape the Griscelli.
If I hand you over to the police you will get twenty years at the hulks for attempted murder, and unless you answer my questions truly I shall hand you over to the police. You are a Griscelli." "Yes, sir." "Which of them?" "I am Giuseppe, the son of Giuseppe." "In that case you are his grandson. How did you find me out?" "You were at Paris last summer." "But you did not see me there."
Will you fight, Griscelli?" "Certainly provided that we fight at once, and to the death. You can arrange the details with my friends here." "Be it so." I said, "A la muerte." "To the death! To the death!" shouted the crowd, whose native ferocity was now thoroughly roused.
As for the Spanish infantry, they stayed in the woods till the coast was clear, and then hied them home. Griscelli was wild with rage.
"Rejoin Mejia." "But how? We are in the enemies' country and without horses, and we know not where Mejia is." "I don't think he is far off. He is not the man to retreat after a drawn battle. Until he has beaten Griscelli or Griscelli has beaten him, you may be sure he won't go back to the llanos; his men would not let him.
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