Smyrna times., 1859-03-10

20 Most surely he will challenge you," cri
"a the officer, excitedly.
on 80 think" resumed Ruric, calmly Al
,r, now VIII you serve me in the event!"
en- "Wlth pleasure"
b. AND thereupon Ruric related all that had OF
at CURED at the time of the Counts visit TO h
er shop' and then took his leave.
v, lie reached home just as his mother wa
E. spreading the board for dinnnr. He often wei
10 a"ay on business, and she thought not of ask
- Ing him any questions.
It On questioning Paul, in the shop, in the a.
: terGoon, Ruric, to his great surprise, learne
d that The Black Monk had been there durinO hi
= ABSENCE to purchase a dagger; that he ia,
r ura"h out OF the boy minute account of tht
f ''HIt OF Urzen and Damonolf, and that hi
seemed much pleased with Rurc's conduct
: as lney were talking, Urzen called and pre-
sented challenge from the Count Ruric a.
once referred him to his friend, and he took hi.
leave. '-''
That evening, about eight o'clock, sedge
drove up TO Rurlc's door, and young Orsa en-
tered the house. He called Ruric aside, and
informed him tlat the arrangements had all
been made
Damon"f is in a hurry" he said, sand we
nave appointed The meeting at ten o'clock to.
morrow forenoon 1t will take place at the
oehu OF inc river Just beyond the VIska Hill"
"And the weapons" :" asked Rnric.
"SwordS," returned Orsa. "The Count will
orlng his own. and he gives you the privilege
OF selecting such one as YOU choose"
81 thank you, Orsa, for your kindness TINS
Iar' and you may rest assured that | shall be
prompt"
"SuPpose cal here in the morning for you 7"
suggested the visitor.
" | should be pleased to have YOU do so.' the
guhmaker SAID; and thus it was arranged.
Oh the following morning Ruric was up be-
times, and at the breakfast table not a word of
The notwithstanding theme was uttered Az
ter the meal was finished the runn1aker went
out to his shop, nd took down from one of the
closets long lea athern case, in which were two
swords. Th.y were Toledo blades, and OF most
exquisite Workmanship and finish Ruric took
OUT thc heaviest one, which was a two-edged
weapon. with cross hlt of heavily gilded
metal. lie placed the point upon the floor, and
men, with all his weight he bent the blade ill
Tue Fommel touched the floor. The 1.-the steel
-Sprang back TO its place with a sharp clang, and
the texture was not started. Then he struck |
the Hat OF the 6lale upon the anvil with great
i"Fce. The ring was sharp and clear, and the
weapon remained unharmcd,
"BJ 81. Michael" sIId the gunmaker TO his |
ooy' Moscow does not contain another blade |
IKE that. Damascus never saw a better"
think you are right, my MASTER" the boy |
returned, who had beheId The trial of the blade
with unbounded admiration. But" be added
"conld you not temper blade like that? ;"
Perhaps, if had the steel But have il
not. The steel Of these two blades came from
lndIa' aud was originally in one weapon-a
Pohderou5 wo-hInded atFlr, belonging to a
bengal cAeitIln. The metal possesses'all the
of bo G.,o- II
OF the most subtle spring. My old master
Toledo gave NE these as a memento. Were
TO mention the sum ofmoney he was once offer.
it," 0''0''
Alter this Ruric gave Paul few directions
about the work, promising to be back before
hIght' Just then Orsa drove up to the door,
hurlc was all ready. His mother was in the
Kitchen. lie went to her with a smile upon his
lace. lie put his arms about her and drew her
10 his bosom.
"God bless you, my mother. shall come
back He said this, and then he kissed her.
lie dard stop to speak no more, but opened
the door and passed out.
Have you god wea pom 7" asked Orsa, as
the horse started on.
!" have" Rurc said, quietly; "and one
which has stood more tests than most swords
he related the peculiar circumstances ATTENDING
the making Of the sword, and his possession Of
It.
AT length they struck upon the river, and in
half an hour more they reached the appointed
spot. The day YVES beautiful. They had been
upon The ground but few minutes when the
olher party came IN sight around the bend of |
the river. Tile monk UQs there also.
AS soon as the Count and his second a nd sur
geon had arrived, and the horses had been Sc
cured, The Lieutenant proposed that they should
repair TO an cid building which was close at d
hand. {
Aye" added DamOnoE Let us ha We this +
business done, for | would be back to dinner.- :,
dlne with Olga to-day, and fair maiden
awaits my coming"
"NolIce him not" whispered Orsa. who G
walked close by Ruric's side. "That is one of q
his chief points when engaged iO an affair of !
this kind. He hopes to get you angry, and SO
unhingc your nerves"
L" Never fear" answered the gunmaker.
The party halted when they reached the in- f
terror OF the rough structure, a nd the Count
threw off his pelIsse and drew his sword. Ru
rlc followed his example.
"SIr Count" the latter said, as he moved a :
step forward, ere we commence this work
wish all present 10 understand distinctly how | q
stand. You have sought this quarrel from the \
irst. Without the leust prnvocation from me {
You have Insulted me most grossly. and this is 4
the climax So, before God and man, be the
result upon your own head"
"Out. lying knuVe-"
'il'ld." cried the surgeon, laying his hand :
heavily upon the Counts arm. You have no
right to speak thus, for you lower yourself when
you dot 1t you have come TO fight, do so {
An angry reply was upon DnmonnfFs lips
but he did not speak il. lie turned to his an
"a gonIst and SAID. {
"Wlll you measure weapons, sir! Mine
may be mite the longest seek no advan.
tage and | have one here of The same length
and weight as my own it, you wish it,
II am well Satisfied as it s," replied Ruric