New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-02-10
From the Dublin University Magazine,
A Legend of the East Neuk of Fife.

90 You!' exclaimed the latter; ssby Jove l
am right glad 70 see you. Here at Grail, too,
in the East Neuk O. Fife-'tis strange chance;
and what in heavens name seek ye here' 'Tis
a perilous time for a foreigner-stil more
Frenchman, to tread on Scottish ground. The
war, the intrigues with st. Germans, the Popish
plots. and the devil only knows what more, make
travelling here more than little dangerous
Monsieur, | know all that; the days are
changed since the Scot was at home in France
and the Frenchman at home in Scotland, for SO
the laws of Stuart and Bourbon made them A
few words will tell you who am and what
seek here. Excuse my reluctance to reveal my
self before, for now you have claim upon me.
Oh! believe me, knew not that l addressed the
generous chevalier who, in that hour Of despair,
redeemed my life (and more than my life,) my
honor, from the scourge, and enabled me to lay
the head Of my poor brother with reverence in
the grave. You have heard Of Mr. Henri Le-
mercier ~
ssWhat the great swordsman and fencer-
the noble master of the science of self-defence,
with the fame Of whose skill and valor all Europe
is ringing!'
81 am he of whom Monsieur is pleased to
speak SO highly"
s' Your hand again, sir; zounds, but dearly
love this gallant science myself, and have even
| won me a little name handler Of the rapier
There is but one man whom Europe calls you
equal, Monsieur Lemerceir,''
| 'sMy superior, you mean, for j have many
equals,' replied the Frenchman, very modestly
| Sc You doubtless mean
| 'sSir William Hope, Of Hopetoun.''
| ssAh! Mon Deu, yes, he has, indeed, u grea
| name in Europe as fencer and master Of arms
either with double or single falchion, case of fal
chions, backswords and dagger, pistols or quar-,
ter staff and it is the fame of his skill anC
prowess in these weapons, and the reputation he
has earned by his books on fencing, that hath
brought me to-day to this remote part of Scot
! land''
| ssZounds - said the Major, shaking back the
looking remarkably grave; ''you cannot near
to have bout with Sir William' He hath q
sure hand and steady. l would rather stand d
platoon than be once covered with his pistol
'' Monsieur, l have no enmity to this Sill
William Hope, nor am l envious of his great
name as a fencer. Ma fol the world is quite
wide enough for us both; but here lies my
secret. / love Mademoselle Athalie, the niece
of Madame de Livry-"
"How, the old flame of the great Louis %
'Oui," said Lemercier, smiling; "and many
say that Athalie bears a somewhat suspicious
resemblance to her aunt's royal lover; but thai
| is no business Of mine she loves me very dearly
and is very good and amiable Diable an
we'll content to take her and her thirty thousant
louis-d or without making any troublesome inqui
ries. 1t would seem that my dear little Athalie i
immensely vain of my reputation as master o
fence, and having heard that this Scottish Che
Waller is esteemed the first man of tie sword il
Britain, and further, that report asserts he sleN
her brother in the line of battle at Blenheinl
fighting bravely for Standard she declared tina
ere her hand was mine, must measure sword
with this Sir William, and dip this, her hand
kerchief in his blood, in token of his defeat, am
my conquest"
"a very pretty idea of Mademoiselle Athalie
and doubt not Hopetoun will be overwhelme'
by the obligation when he hears of it, said th
Major of Orkneys, whose face frightened witt
Il broad laugh; and so much would love to Sc
two such brisk fellows as thou and he yoked to
gether, at cut and thrust, that if permitted,
will rejoice in bearing the message of NJ lie
mercer to Sir William, whose castleof Bnlcomi
is close by here
't Having no friend with me, accept you
offer with a thousand thanks said Lemerciei
" Sir William did. indeed, slay an officer, a
you have said, in that charge at Blenhen
where the regiment of the Marquis de Livr
was cut to pieces by Orkney's Scots Greys; bu
to be so good and amiable, and to love you 5
much withal, Mademoiselle Athalie must be
brisk dame to urge her favored Cheyalier on
venture so desperate; for, mark me, Monsieu
Lemercier,'' said the Major, impressiyely
none can know better than l, the sklll-tll
long and carefully studied skill-of Sir Willial
Hopetoun, and permit me to warn you-'
1t matters not-l must fight him; lov,
honor, and rivalry, too, if you will have it 81
all spur me on, and no time must be lost"
Enough; | should have been in my stirrul
an hour ago; and dark though the night be,
will ride to Balcomie with your message"
GA million of thanks--you will chose tin
and place for me-
% ssSay, tomorrow, ut sunrise; be thou at tt
Standing stone of Sauchope; It's tall, roue
block, in the fields near the Castle Of Balcomi
d and doubt not but Sir William will meet y,
J. there"
Thanks, thanks,'' again said the Frenc
d man, pressing the hand of the Major, who, a
parently delighted at the prospect of witnessil
such an encounter between the two most I
:. nowned swordsmen in Europe, drank off his sto
u of wine, muffled himself in his rocquelaure, al
g with his little cooked hat stuck jauntily on o
side of the Ramillie wig, left the apartment, n
demanded his horse and the reckoning.
Then your honor mH he fule hardy, a
tempt Providence said the landlord.
Nay, gudeman, but you cannot tempt me
stay just now. ride only through the town
Baleomie, and will return anon, The Hopeto
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