The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-04-21

Dit the llrSt bound OF Sir ArauaS carried him
across two-thrls Of the space, and his sw ord
fell Ike q thlnderbolt on the cusque of his
antagonist, and bent him almost to his kncs.
But that was no strife to be ended at blow
and they closed, foot to foot. dealing at each
other sweeping blows, which could not be
parted, aud could scarce be avoided but
which were warded off by their armor OF
proof.
1t was soon observed that Sir Foulkc
dOilly's blows fell with far the weighticr
dint, and that, when they took effect, it was
all his lighter adversary could do to bear up
against them. But, on the other hand, it
was seen that. by his wonderful agility, and
the 1.-the motions of his supple and elastic
Frame Sir Eradas avoided more blows than
he received, and that each stroke missed by
his enemy told almost as much against him
as a wound.
At the end of half an hour, no material ad-
vantage had bccn gained: the mail of either
champion was broken in many places, and
the blood bowed, OF both, from more wounds
than one that of Acadas the more freely.
But as they paused, pcrforce, to snatch a
moments breath, it was clear that Sir Aradas
was the frcshcr and less fatigucd of the two:
while Sir Foulkc was evidently short of wind,
and hard pressed.
1t was not the young mans game to; give
had passed, he set on him again, with the
opponent, however. saw that the long play
was telling against him, and it appeared that
he was determined to bring the conflict to Il
close by sheer force.
Whirling his huge sword round his head,
Il, :, l,, ~
the right. which alighting. at the exact dis.
lance, full on the caSquc of Sir Aradas dash
ed the whole crown and vizor of the trcachcr-
GUS hcadpiccc to atoms, leaving only por-
ton of the cervcllcire covering the napc of
the neck, and the beaver supporting the mail
tippct, which still protected his throat and
neck.
The fight seemed ended by that single
blow and, despite the injunction of the her
aid, general groan burst from the assembly.
Gucndolcn covered her face With her hands
for a second but then looked up again. with
wild and frcnzied eye, compelled to gaze,
to tho last, on that terribly fascinating
scenc
But then was it shown What might there
is an activity, what resistlcss power in quick
ness. For, lcaping and bounding round the
heavy giant like a sword player, letting him
waste his every blow on the empty air or in
the impassvc sawduSt, Aradas piled his
sword like threshcr's fail, dealing every
blow at his neck and the lacinss Of his cas-
que, till fastening after broke, and it was
III few more moments.
The excitement of the people was ungovcrn-
able they danced in their seats, they shout
No a..
no men alarms, could control them. The
soul of the people had awakened, and what
could fettcr it.
Still, wonderful as they were, the excrtions
of Aradas completely armed in heavy piano.
ply, were too mighty to last. The thing
must be finished Down came the trcnchant
blade with ii circlng sweep. full on the
jolmtcd plates ofdOilly's new -farglcd gorGet.
Rlyet after rivet, plate after plate, gave way
with rcnding crash his helmet rolled on
the ground. lie stood bare-headtd, bare
throated, unarmcd TO the shoulders.
But the same blow which unhclmed dolly
disalmcd Aradas. His faithlcss swor,! was
shivcred to the hilt and what should he do
now. with only that weak, short estoe, that
force Of the resist less doublc-handcd glaiye
tering estoe was in his right, the short mas
sive dagger in his left He dropped on his
right knee, crouching low Both arms han
ging loosely by his sides, but with his eye
Glaring on his foeman, like that Of the hunted
tiger.
SO soon rs Sir Toull,c han rallied from the
stunning effect of the blow, and saw how it
was with him, his enemy disarmed and, as it
seemed, at his power, then ii hdeouS safdnnic
smile glared over his lurid features, and he
strobe forward with his sword aioft, to triumph
and to kill. When he was within six PAGES Of
his kneeling udvcl sary, he paused, measured
his distancc-it was the pIesise length for one
stride, one downright blow ,'qp that bare head,
which no earthly power could nov shield a.
against it.
There was no cry now among the people
only a hush. Every heart stood still in that
vast concourse,
"Wilt die, or cry scraveno'
The eye ofAradas flashed lightning. Lower
he crohthed lower, to the ground. His left
hand rose slowly, till the guard Of his dagger
was below his own left, and his enemy's right,
eye. His right hand was drawn 50 far back,
that the glttering point of the estoe only
showed in front Of his hip. Lower, yet To-
wer, he crouched, alDlost in the attitude OF
the panther couchant for his spring.
One stride made Sir Foulke dolly for
yard and down, like some tremendous en-
CINE, came 1.-THE sword swecp--the gazcrs
heard it.whistle through the air it dccen-
de4
What followed, no eye could trace, on pen
could describe. There was a wild cry, like
that of savage animal; a fiery leap through
cloud of whstling DUST a stra light fash
through the haze, like lightning.
One could see that somehow or other that
slashing cut was glanced aside, but how, tho
speed of thought could not trace.
TWAS done in second, in tho twinkling
of an eye. And, as the dust subsidized, there
stood Aradas, unmoved and calm as the an
gel of death, with his arms folded, and moth
ing in his hand save the dagger shivered to the
guard. And at his feet lay his enemy, as if
stricken by thunderholt, with his eyes wide
open and his face to heaven, and the deadly
estoe buried, to the grippe, in the throat that
should lie no more, forever,
Pass we the vic!or's triumph, and the dead
traitors doom; pass we the lovers meeting,
and the empty roar of popular applause.
That was indeed, the judgment Of God ; and
when God hath spoken, in the glory of his
speeches. workings, it is good that man
should hold his peace before him.
tJCom. Perry says the temperature of
Japan, corresponding in many respects with
that of our Atlantic States, from Maine to
~ Al.