Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-02-18

|
Nieuski. A few minutes afterwards arrived
at the Castle, and was soon ushered into the
apartments of the Emperor's brother. In one
of these | discovered him standing with his
back to large fire. He was tapping his boot
with his riding whip, distinguished by the most
| forbidden countenance ever beheld The un-
dried splashes of mud on his pantaloons indi-
Gated that he had but recently returned from
| riding or review. At a table near him was
| seated Gen. Rodna, pen in hand, and apparent
ly writing under the Princes dictation.
The door was scarcely closed when the GA
rowitch, fixing me with his piercing eyes abb
rubtly inquired
'What countryman"
English, your highness.'
.sis.and-Twenty.'
'Name?'
c.
you want to be fencing>master to regi>
mentp
May it please your highness, such is the OBJ
ject of my ambition
sAre you first-rate swordsman!
4 have fenced in public several times since
my arrival in st. Petersburgh, and your high
ness can easily ascertain the opinion of those
who were present.
i have heard you, but you had only second
rate fencers to forbear with
(which gave them just claim upon my for
bearance, your highness.'
'Forbearance" he repeated, with flashing eyes,
and scornful curve of the lips; 'but if less
considerate, what then!'
4 should have buttoned them ten times for
every twice that they touched me-
sHa! and could you do that to me?'
THAT would depend on how your imperial
highness might wish to be treated. If as a
prince, it is probable your highness would touch
me ten times, and be touched twice But if
your highness desired TO be treated like any
other person, the ten hits would be achieved by
me, and the two by your highness'
Lubenskin roared the Czarowitch rubbing
his hands; 'Lubenski. bring the foils! We shall
see sir Braggadocior
is it possible your highness would conde-
MY hghness orders you to touch me ten
times, if you can. Do you want to back al
ready!-Now, take this foil and mask-Guardr
is it your hghness' absolute commando
'Yes, yes
4 am ready
Ten times' repeated the Prince as he attack.
cd me-ten times mind you! less won't do.-
Ha! ha!'
Notwithstanding this encouragement l kept
merely on the defensive, contenting myself
with parrying his thrusts without returning
them.
Now them cried he angriy. 'What are you
about! a,,2 ,. You are playing the fool with me-
your highness! the respect
'Confound your respect, sir! Thrust! thrust
Observing, through his mask, that his cheeks
were flushed and his eyes bloodshot, took nd.
vantage of the permission granted, and touched
him three times running. 20
'Bravo! cried he. MY turn now. Ha! A
hit! hitr
He had touched me- then touched him
four times in rapid succession, and was then
touched once. Il
'Hurrar be cried, exultantly. sRodna, did
you see that! Twice to his seven!'
'Twice to ten, yonr highness,' replied, pres.
sing him very hard. 'Eight--nine-ten! Now
we are quits
'Good-goodr cried the .Czarowitsch ap-
provingly-"very' good! But that's not ALL
The small short sword-not enough-no use
to the cavalry-want the sabre. Now, could
you defend yourself, on foot, against mount:
ed lancer! Parry lance-thrust? En-!
4 think could, your highness.' Il
think so! Not sure, Ell? /
Pardon me, your hghness, have no doubt
of it,
Lubenskiv again shouted the prince.
The officer appeared.
"A lance and horse! Quick"
But your highness-' interposed.
'Ha! you are afraid!
4 am not afraid; but with your highness,
should experience equal reluctance to be the
victor of the vanquished.'
'All nonsense and fattery! First trial was
capital Now for the second.'
At this moment the officer appeared before
the windows of the palace, leading magni-
ficent horse, and bearing lance in his hand.
Now, them exclaimed Constantine, as he |
dashed out Of the room, and made me sign to |
follow him. 'Give him good sabre, Lubenski; |
and now my Englshman, mind yourself or
you'll be spitted like one of the toads in my
summer house. The last lived three days, |
Rodna, added he, turning to that general, with |
a nail through his belly Il
So saying, the Prince sprang upon his steed.
With great skill he put the animal through the
most difficult evolu.ions, at the same time exc
cutting sundry parties and thrusts with his lance.
.All readye he cried, riding up to me.
Ready, your highness,' was my reply, and he
setting spurs 10 his horse, galloped off to the