Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-19

derstand how to handle sabre somewhat"
ssThat we will prove Immediately. Strip,
my child, and take your position.''
The noise of this alteration had, by this
time, attracted number Of speetators-shop
keepers in the neighborhood, and chance pass
ers by-and they formed circle around the
disputants, getting denser every moment, and
all eager to behold the result, and see fair play.
The little Hussar and the maitre d'armes
took off their mantles, and unsheathing their
sabres, began the combat. The grenadier soon
perceived that he had no novice to deal with;
but as he had Dragged of his skill of fence,
and announced the nature of the wound he
would deal upon his young antagonist, he
fought with the sole purpose in view-a meth
cd which ended in five minutes, by his recei-
wing the youths sword through his heart.
The boy victor leaned calmly on his bloody
weapon, as if he had not yet finished.
The companions of the fallen grenadier find
ing their comrade perfectly dead, left him on
the sod, and turning to the Hussar, one Of
them, said 'sYou have fought bravely, young
man. and tho you have killed the best swords
man of the Guard, it was fairly done; there
fore, go quickly, in safety"
'sNot so soon as you think, replied the lit
tie hero. ssYou have each insulted me; 1 in
tend to pass you each in review-that is our
way in the cayalry!''
ssWhat! will you fight againl'' cried the
soldier amazed.
"Precisely so.''
"Come on, then, / will avenge our poor
Charet," cried the grenadier, and new com
bat began. This time the assailant regarded
neither the youth nor the apparent weakness
OF the little Hussar, but fought with all mis-
and fierce. But the great agility of the youth YOUTH
deiied all fury; and in as short time nearly as
before, he ripped & ghastIy wound in the
stomach Of the burly soldier, which laid him
dying, near his comrade.
"The crowd buzzed in excited applause and
wonder.''
.sNow for the third 70 cried the victor IN his
boyish voice.
The third grenadier strobe forward He
was gigantic in size, and the great length of
his arm hindered all the little Hussar's efforts
to get within the reach of his huge carcas for
a long time. But the boy, evading with great
dexterity all his savage thrusts and fierce
blows, beset him so constantly and actively on
every side, springing here and there like
''saltin banque," and causing the great bulk
Of his adversary to make most tiresome efforts
in guarding his quick assaults, that the giant
failing from very weariness, and dropping his
guard for a single second sealed his DOOM
In that second, the Hussar's sabre drank his
life blood, and he fell besides his brothers-in-
arms; while almost in the same moment with
out pause, the relentless youth cried, tslet
me see the last one; l must finish the play
speedily"
The spectators could no longer restrain their
applause whiting the limits of murmuring.-
They clapped and braved the young conqueror,
as they would an actor at the successful rem
dering Of difficult role, exported him TO the
last combat with hUrras of sympathy and en-
couragement.
That the last grenadier of the Consular |
Guard advanced with mournful resignation, |
as if he foresaw the fate that awaited him.
And his iorebodings were not deceived
Scarcely had three blows been exchanged, |
when the Hussar drove his sabre through his |
skull down to his very eyes.
The applause of the crowd now rose to a |
pitch of intensity equal to the rejoicing over |
signal victory achieved by their own pl oyvess, |
or rather that of their chosen champion They
surrounded the youthful gladiator; they grasp
cd his hands-they embraced him in regular
order, and finally, when he had been thus nas-
sed entirely round amid his enthusiastic 81. !
-, .u-s nfted him, in spite of himself, on
their shoulders, and lighting torches for the
night had gathered, they fairly commenced
trumphal march through the streets of Paris
with their young conqueror, shouting and sing
ing, and replying to the numerous questions
Of the fast gathering followers, 'sour infant
nero has just slain four grenadiers of the Con-
'ular guard in fair fight"
ssKilled four grenadiersl'' cried the new
,omers. ssCharming. What dear little fel-
ow! What glorious promise ~ And while
he men kept joining in the procession and in
creasing the enthusiasm, the women even
hrew garands of flowers upon him in the
leighth of their admiration, until, between
lis modesty and his boquets, the poor little
Iussar was half suffocated before he reached
lis quarters.
This, however, was not all. His regiment
ave him grand jubilee; the master at ari,...s
# the army offered him banquet; the ladies
# Paris got up a ball by subscription for him.
n short, for several months, he was the hero
he lion of the day, and fond mothers held his
xample before their sons as gloriously worthy
f emulation