out of the convent; I found myself in the street, without knowing where to go; that was no matter; all I wanted was liberty. I ran without stopping, till I reached a grove of chesnuts."
Such was her escape. She remained in that wood three days, subsisting on roots and wild fruits. She made herself male garments out of her petticoats, cut her hair, and started forth in the character of man. After going through various scenes in Spain; meeting her own father in search of her; acting as page, clerk, servant—always adroit, always able to serve herself with expedients—she joined an expedition to the New World. There she entered the army, and distinguished herself by the most daring actions. She adopted different names, at different periods; but the most noted one, that which she bore after being made lieutenant, was Alonzo Dias. She gained several battles. It seems that her sense and judgment in council were not inferior to her redoubtable prowess in the field. In the intervals of her military duty, she connected herself with the most desperate and vicious beings to be met with. Gambling, stabbing, robbing, were her pastimes. A curious caprice, which she diverted herself with not unfrequently, was to gain the affection of some young lady, by every art and assiduity, and when all was ready for the marriage, to disappear. It would be as impossible, as it is undesirable, in this sketch, to detail her numerous homicides and adventures.
On one occasion she was condemned to be hung, and actually taken to the gallows. Even there no feminine tremors discomposed her firmness. The executioner was awkward in placing the cord.
"Put it on right, or let me alone," said she; "this priest will do it a great deal better than you!"
A pardon arrived in the mean time; for her gallant actions in battle, and real services, produced for her many protectors. She traversed every part of the Spanish countries, and acquitted herself in the most able manner of the duties of a sailor, soldier, and even lawyer; in every field for enterprise she appeared, and always in a distinguished manner; but all her merits as an able man were tarnished by a mad love for rapine, cruelty, gaming, and every vice save one, to which the soldiers of that epoch and country abandoned themselves. It is to be observed that she had carefully guarded the knowledge of her sex from everybody until an exigency occurred, when she disclosed her real condition. Her many deeds of violence provoked pursuit, and at last she was once more reduced to take refuge in a church at Guamango, in Peru; the bishop, a saintly person, considered it his duty to exhort the criminal; his tender and searching admonitions had their effect on the iron-hearted lieutenant. She sank on her knees, and said, "Father, I am a woman!" Then followed a complete confession.
The bishop was excited by this strange story; he pitied the unfortunate young woman, only thirty-five years of age, who, by a dark fatality, had incurred such reprobation; he thought he perceived signs of compunction; these he fostered, and being encouraged by the result, obtained her pardon, and even a permission to return to Spain, without dread of ecclesiastical punishment. One cause of hope for her remained, she had preserved her chastity; and thus, though stained with many crimes, she was not abandoned to vice. Her will was strong, and her passions often violent; but she was not sensual or selfish. Had she been properly educated, and
