Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-09
The RAFTsMAn's JOURNAL,

vilege of selecting such one as you may |
choose.o
81 thank you, Orsa, for your kindness thus
far, and you may rest assured that shall be
prompt"
.Suppose / call here in the morning for
you 2'' suggested the visitor.
81 should be pleased TO have you do So,'
the gunmaker said; and thus it was arranged.
On the following morning Ruric was up be-
times, and at the breakfast table not word of
the one all-absorbDg theme was uttered. Af-
ter meal was finished the gunmaker went ont
to his shop, and took down from one of the
closets long leathern case, in which were
two swords. They Toledo blades, and
of most exquisite workmanship and finish.
Ruric took out the heaviest one, which a
two-edged weapon, with cross hilt of heavi
| ly giIded metal. He placed the point upon
the floor, and then, with all his weight he bent
| the blade till the pommel touched the point.
| The 1.-THE steel sprang back to its place with
| a sharp clang, and the texture was not start
| ed. Then he struck the fat of the blade up
| on the anvil with great force. The ring was
| sharp and clear, and the weapon remained un-
| harmed.
| s:By ST. Michael" said the gunmaker to
his boy, ssMoscow does not contain another
blade like that. Damascus never saw abet-
| ter.''
81 think you are right, my master,'' the
| boy returned, who had beheld the trial of
| the blade with unbounded admiration
s'But.'' he added, sscould you not temper a
| blade like that ?''
s.Perhaps, if had the steel. But have
| it not. The steel of these two blades came
| from India, and was originally in one weapon
| "a ponderous, two-handed affair, belonging
| to Belgian chieftain. The metal possesses
| all the hardness of the finest razor, with the
| elasticity of the most subtle spring. My old
master at Toledo gave me these as memen-
| to. Were / to mention the sum of money he
| tvaS nffareH the LARGEST wOuil
hardly credit it,
After this Rurc gave Paul few direc-
tions about the work, promising to bo back
before night. Just then Orsa drove up to the
door.
Ruric was all yeady His mother was in the
kitchen. He went to her with smile upon
his face. He put his arms about her and drew
her to his bosom.
| ssGod bless you, my mother.-I shall come
! back He said this, and then he kissed her.
| He dared stop to speak no more, but opened
the door and passed out.
s'Have you good weapon 2" asked OrSa,
as the horse started on
ssI have" Ruric said, quietly; 'sand one
| which has stood more tests than most swords
will bear And alter some further remarks
he related the peculiar circumstances attend
ing the making of the sword, and his posses
| sion of tt.
At length they struck up the river, and in
half an hour more they reached the appoint
| ed spot The day was beautiful. They had
been upon the ground but few minutes
when the other party came in sight around
the bend of the river. The monk pGs there
also.
| As soon as the Count and his second and
surgeon had arrived, and the horses had been
secured, the lieutenant proposed that they
: should repair to an old building which was
close at hand.
s.Aye,' added Damonoff.-ssLet US have
this business done, for would be back to din
ner. l dine with Olgo to-day. and fair mai
den awaits my coming
"Notice him not,'' whispered Orsa, who
walked close by Ruric's side. ssThat is one of
his chief points when engaged in affair of
this kind He hopes to get you angry, and
so unhinge your nerves.
ssNever fear,' answered the gunmaller.
The party halted when they reached the in
terror of the rough structure, and Count threw
off his pelsse and drew his sword. Ruric fol-
4 lowed his example.
sSir Count the latter said, as he moved a
step forward, ssere we commence this work
wish all present to understand distinctly how
l stand. You have sought this quarrel from
the first. Without the least provocation from
me you have insulted me most grossly, and
this is the climax. So, before God and man,
be the result upon your own head.''
! ';Out, lying knaye-''
s.Hold,'' cried the surgeon, laying his hand
heavily upon the Counts arm. .sYou have no
right to speak thus, for you lower yourself
, when you do it. If you have come to fight,
do so honorably.''
An angry reply was upon Damonof's lips,
but he did not speak it. He turned TO his an
tagonist and said =
'sWill you measure weapons, sir ? Mine
may be mite the longest. l seek no advan-
. tage and have one here of the same length
and weight of my own if you wish it.''
ssI am we'll satisfied as il isl replied Ru-
ric.
''Then take your ground.-Are you rea-
: dy?''
, ssI am 20
, The two swords were crossed in an instant.
with clear, sharp clang.
! The above is all of this story that win be
published in our columns. We give this as
sample. The continuation of it from where it
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