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

oerstand how to handle sabre somewhat"
"That we viii prove Immediately. Strip
my child, and take your position
The noise of this alteration had, by thi
time, attracted a number OF spectators-shop
Keepers in the neighborhood, and chance pass
ers by-and they formed circle around tn,
disputants, getting denser every moment, ant
all eager to behold the result, and see fair play
The little Hussar and the maitre d'arme.
took off their mantles, and unsheathing their
sabres, began the combat. The grenader 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 yiew-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 ssYou 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
''Not SO soon as you think, )" replied the lit
tie hero. 'sYou have each insulted me in
tend to pass you each in review-that is our
way in the cavalry!''
"What. will you fight againl :" cried the
soldier amazed
"Precisely So"
'Come on, then, 1 will avenge our poor
Charet," cried the grenadier, and a new COM
Dat began. This time the assailant regarded
neither the youth nor the apparent weakness
OF the little Hussar, but fought with all his
skill and strength, and the blows became fast
and fierce. But the great agility of the youth
aehed all fury and in as short time nearly as
stomach of the burly soldier, which laid him |
dying, near his comrade.
..The crowd buzzed in excited applause and
wonder.''
Snow for the third ~ cried the victor in his
boyish voice.
The third grcnadier 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
sssaltin 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, s'let
me see the last one i must finish the play
Speedily
The spectators could no longer restrain their
applause wthing 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 mourDful resignation,
as if he foresaw the fate that awaited him.
And his forebodings 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
pitch of intensity equal to the rejoicing over
signal victory achieved by their own piowess,
or rather that of their chosen champion. They
surrounded the youthful gladiator; they grasp
ed his hands-they embraced him in regular
order, and finally, when he had been thus pas
sed entirely round amid his enthusiastic admi-
rers, they lifted him, in spite of himself, on
their shoulders, and lighting torches, for the
night had gathered, they fairly commenced
triumphal 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, ssonr infant
hero has Just slain four grenadiers of the Con-
! sular guard in fair fight"
"Killed four grenadiersl" cried the new
corners. eCharming What dear little fell
low! What glorious promise 20 And while
the men kept joining in the procession and in
| crea.ing the enthusiasm, the women even
threw earlands of flowers upon him in the
heighth of their admiration, until, between
his modesty and his boquets, the poor little
Hussar was half suffocated before he reached
his quarters.
This, however, was not all. His regiment
gave him grand jubilee; the master at arms
of the army offered him a banquet; the ladies
OF Paris got up ball by subscription for him
In short, for several months, he was the hero.
the lion OF the day, and fond mothers held his
example before their sons as gloriousy worthy
of emulation. sf