The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-31
The Golden Daggers !!

Translated from the French Of Paul Feval
BY VIM. M. ScmpIc, Esq, of the New Or
leans Crescent.
Entered according to Act Of Congress, in the
year 1866, by J. O. Nixon, in the office of the Dis
trict Court Of the United States for the Eastern
District Of louisiana
Continued
The women began to see that the pale yisage
and the grand look of George Leslie betray-
ed very remarkable character. The tones
Of his voice had an effect among them. Hell
enc was evidently suffering. Why?
s;What happened afterwards, cousin r said
the insatible marchioness.
:sThere remains but little for me to tell
you" replied Henri, abstractedly. ''The
end of the adventure pleased me. | said to
Bcnoit, who was trembling, 'lct us advance! Z"
If they kill each other in this way,
muttered be, what will they do with strang-
ers
'.They permitted us to penetrate to the
centre of the encampment. 1t was a sort OF
a village, composed Of dozen huts. There
were, besides, some subterranean habitations.
Two men we're playing at backgammon upon
a carpet stretched over the snow. One OF
them carried upon his sleeve the insignia Of
a sergeant
cat the entrance of the tent recognized
the Indian who had given warming Of our
approach. .
ssBetween the two players there was a pile
of gold dust and Of bullion. On the ground
there was small scale for weighing
"sAh said the sergeant, measuring me
roughly from head to foot. You arc the
French gentleman, are you not? This rogue
of a Welshnan has won from me my last ten
ounces Of gold am now as poor as ever.
Devil take you, Welshman, | will kill you one
day or another.
1.-THE Wclshman quietly thrust the gold
dust and the bullion into his leathern pouch.
"sWill you play on credit asked the
sergeant.
"'No,' replied the other.
stsMy life against ten ouncesp
'sThe Welshman shrugged his shoulders
and rose up.
az would win-I am sure that [ would
win Y cried the sergeant, who gritted his teeth.
And then, with ten ounces, could win back
a hundred
"Some Of the Golden Daggers come out Of
their huts, attracted by the noise Of the dis
cussion. The Vecinos Of Sonora had small
figures in comparison with these men.
"sWho will lend me ten ounces Of gold 2
shrieked the sergeant. Twenty ounces for
ten Thirty fifty"
'sThe demon Of play provoked him even to
frenzy.
"sGood-bye, Sergeant Saunders said the
Welshman, going away.
g Stop, Nick, stop in the name OF God
Are you going to stop? What can ! play
against this bandit !?
sssAhv cried he, rejecting moment, Stop,
Nick Il will play the French gentleman and
his valet against ten ounces!!'
1.-THE Golden Daggers who surrounded us
began to laugh. The Wclshman looked at
us to see if our pockets seemed to have the
value of ten ounces Of gold.
ssHe was satisfied with the examination
without doubt, for he reseated himself, and
weighed in the balance.
s.The game commenced. [ crossed my
arms upon my breast and watched the game
endeayoring to be calm.
sThc Welshnan won.
Saunders, the sergeant, shivered the back
CANNON board with one blow Of his fist, ane
said:
sssMay you die like a dog, cursed Welsh
man. Pay youraelf.
eNick came forward to me, and, without
ceremony, tried to thrust his hands Into my
pockets. held him at distance with my
left hand. With my right drew pisto
from my belt. Nick was armed.
aDog said he, ARE you not willing tt
pay the debts OF Sergeant Saunders I"
Il did not wait. At the moment that h,
raised his pistol the Welshman fellat the foo
of the sergeant, his head shattered by ny
ball.
"Immediately twenty carbines were level
ed at nv breast. Benoit, for the first tim.
in MANY years, made the sign Of the cross.
Sergeant Saunders looked at the ieae
Nick-then he gazed attentiyely at NE.
asPeace !, said he; what would you hay'
| done if you had been in the Frcnchman'
place.
aSome Of the carbincs were lowered, bu
three or four continued to hold me in check
asNick carried the Golden Dagger the.
murmured. The death Of Nick must b
avenged,
s.spcace, tell you Y repeated Saunders.
HE took the pouch Of gold-dust hangin!
from Nick belt, and placed it in the scale
s:.sOne hundred and thirty five ounces
said he. He was thief. He was Welsh
man. He cheated at play. Down with you
carbines.
aeOflicer,' said I, drawing my second pisto
which of these knayes shall [ send to tn
devil 2
sHe smiled when called him officer.
sssAre you willing to take the Golden Dag
ger of Nick z he asked.
nsWhy not z | answered, without hcsits
ton.
Saunders affixed the pouch Of the Welsl
4 man to his belt
est is, decided said he. You are on
Of us. We will read you the ritual this ever
| ing. 70 supper = :
Here the discount Hcuri de Villiels exhil
tied again his golden dagger.
ssBenoit was charged" he resumed, "toex;
/ mine the pocket Of the dead man la