Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-08-01

worth quarrelling with. AT last he pei
ceivcd sort of sublieutenant, original
drum.major and maitre d'armcs, and VIII
boosted of having killed his thirty pequin.
sitting quietly in corner. Alfonso wake
straight up to him, and, salutrg him wit
a pohtcncss that electrified tho company
said, in his cool way,
"Monsieur, ! am exceedingly distresse,
at the situation in which | find mysclfp placed
but my honor is concerned, and you will
allow me TO engage yours"
Without further prelimnaries, he CAV,
him severe hit in the face.
The officer, who little expected so abrup
and mlanswerabe a mode of provocation
sprang like mad man from his chair; ant
had not Alfonso, with the activity and MIN
blcness Of cat, leaped with one bound up
on the table, the ex-drum. major would pro
badly have stranged him on the spot.
He was quickly at the aggressor's heels
when his own comrades stopped him ofthci
own accord, saying.
"Come, come no child's play or boxing
the thing is too serious! C'est un copba
q la mort !" -
: "Where shall find you TO- morrow y
said one Of the officers, addressing AL
fonse.
Elk your ground" was the reply.
"Not Tomorrow ~ (said the Officer
who had received the blow,) ''this Instant
"This instant be it, if you please" re.
piled Alfonso, with the utmost indifference.
81 shall not sleep tonight until that blow
is avenged :" said the other foaming with
rage.
81, too, want to unnumb my hand.
have hurt my knuckles against your cheek
boncs," said Alfonso.
"WheIe would they fight at such time
Of night as this 2" observed some Of the Of
ficcrs.
''In the garden behind the cafc," cried
the ancient maitre d'armes ga sword in
one hand and billiard lamp in the other.
"But." said Alfonso, 81 am tired.
know your style of fighting men, Crane
you want to make inc break grounc, ant
drive me step by step round the GARDEN
Don't think it, my lad. Besides the, lamp
may go out. But, if you have no objec
tons, the billiard table will be good arena
We shall be well lighted, and there will be
no meaN, of drawing back foot"
"Be it So" said tho other.
The doors were closed, and they lait
hand on the walters and the proprietor o
tho 0vi~, -v''~ wore going to tho police
The swords were then brought. The two
advorsaries cast lots for them, and thci
pulled oif;her coats and waistcoats, and un
buttoned their shirts TO show that there wa.
nothing under.
Both then took their swords.
The officer wrapt round his hand {
handkerchief, leaving both ends dangling
Alfonso neglected this practice, the objec
of which was TO distract the attention of III,
adversary by the perpetual .fluitcr of thei
two white points, thus to turn away his at
ten,ion from the sword. But Alfo.:se hat
manner of fighting Of his own, and caret
little for these petty proceedings. He never
looked at the steel; but, fixing his ego or
that of his antagonist, anticipated every
motion that he made.
The two wres.lers, or gladiators,
might say, got on the table together, ant
according to the terms or conditions agreed
on between the students and the officers
rested their swords on the toes of thei
boots. A traveller from commercial
house who happened TO be present, ant
could have no interest in the scene, othe
than what its novelty excited, was fixed OF
to clap his hands three times, and at tn,
third the swords were upraised in the air
and the two combatants came to guard.
A terrible silence reigncd through tn,
room,, and for some seconds it was only
broken by the clashing of the steel; 70
both parties, as they skirmished, were wei
aware that single .)aur pas was DEATH
The slightest stepping back, shrinking o
the body, or on one side, must inevitably
prove fatal.
The officer was q head and shoulde
taller than Alfonso, and looked as though
he could crush him; but he little hecdct
this advantage, if advantage it was, for h
by degrees lowered his body till he was
right under the sword of his foe, and al
most bent himself down upon the bed o
the table. No other change in his attitude
then took place.
All at once, the officer, taking his pos
ture for the effect Of fear, made furious
longe, which was parted with the creates
sang froid and skill, and Alfonso allowed
the officer to return to his ground, withou
attempting to return. His adversary wa.
deceived by this sort'oi tmid defence, and
become more adventurous, attacked hin
again with increased fnry--so much so
that, thrown off his guard, his left foot quit
ted the cushion of the table, against which
it had been fixed. Then it was that Alfons'
made rapid lungo at the officers face
lie endeavorcd to regain the ground h
had lost to resume his position. The stu
dent would not give him time, and charged
with impetuosity his Disconnected enemy
who could only avoid his thrusis by keep
ing his body bent backwards. AItons'
forced him to tho edge of the table, w'ieI
HE f,,, trianod and at that moment drOy,