The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-10-29
my FRIENDS REVENGE.
CONCLUDED.

i CONCLUDED.
''And now for your weapon" said the
1 professor, opening closet and produc-
ing sword. have the measure of the
4 Austrian's sword; this one is the exact
4 LENGTH"
The sword at a cursory glance looked
4 a very unpromising weapon with which
4 to defend mans life. My friend evil
1 IDENTIFY thought SO, for he examined it
4 with a dismayed look.
Why" said he, s'it's hardly more
than o lark spit; the Austrian uses Ko-
nigsberg blade, double the weight and
width of this toy"
ST know it; but this toy, rs you term
it, surveying the weapon fondly from
heel to point. shas qualities thnt in
proper hands will prove moro than
match for the best sword ever forged in
Germany. It is real Seville blade-no-
thing better in the world. "See," plac-
ing it lengthwise on his finger, chow
admirably it is balanced; notice the hilt,
ross-barred and crossed--no fear of
wounds on the sword hand; then, it's
temper" severing a large nail on which
breastsplates we're hung. "Look again."
pressing the point against the wall till it
met the hilt, when releasing the weapon,
the blade instantly returned to its nor
the blade on the fat of the anvil with all
his force, "there, that alone is q test
which defy even the famed Konigsberg
sword to undergo. Enough for this
night. Come early tomorrow for your
lessons"
When we quilted the professor, the
doctor obtained promise for me that I
should not leave Milan until the result
of the duel was determined, and that I
would accompany him to the field.
saw little of my friend except in the
evening-he was engaged elsewhere-I
did not ask in what direction. Isurmised
he was with his fencing master. He never
alluded to the approaching duel-his
conversation was tranquil and on general
topics; the affray at the theatre had,
however, been bruited about the city
every one knew the duel was to come
of, but no one knew precisely when or
where.
We were about to part one night when
he said, quietly:
Tomorrow morning, at O'Clock,
two carriages will be at the ramparts,
one for myself and second, the other for
the surgeon and my master, Di Pratt.
You will pass muster as surgeon. Let
me entreat you to make no objection;
the details have already been finally ar
ranged. My opponent is provide in
similar way; he aud his second in one
carriage, De Liancourt, his teacher, and
real surgeon in the other. Be plnc-
tual."
At s o'clock found myself in tho
carriage with Prof. Di Pratt.
The place of combat was to be near
Monja-just beyond the Milan territory
there were reasons for this which need
not be particularized.
, The morning was cold and cheerless,
and when we alighted, which was in
about two hours, the day had not bright
ened. All parties got out of the car
riages the foes saluted each other brief
ly. .Inoticed the murderous look in the
Austrian's eyes, and gave up my friend
as lost. Without a word being spoken,
We walked on until we came to an open
space, smooth, but slippery with the
morning dew. This was the spot selected
by the seconds, who, apparently, were
quite accustomed to such scenes, went
about their duties in steady, business
like manner.
Prof. Di Pratt, who had brought his
sword with him, as he handed it to my
friend, whispered
"Remember-whep I drop my hand
kerchief-La risposte."
The Austrian officer disencumbercd
himself Of his cloak, and divested him
self OF all his upper clothing, leaving
his breast uncovered. L never saw 80
fine n form. Perfectly proportional on
the largest scale, he stood upwards of
six feet high; chest, arms and back bill
lowy with muscles, skin as white as that
Of the fairestlady
My frieud, seeing the fighting costume
adopted by the officer, threw off his blnck
silk vest, as if resolving that he would
not even have questionable advantage.
In size he looked mere dwarf to his
athletic opponent; long, thin, wiry arms,
chest narrow, skin almost as dark as n
mulatto's, and with greyish tinge
either the effect Of cold or fear, that, to
my eyes, appeared tho forerunncr Of
doom.
The seconds having laid down the
swords with hilt to each combatant, re-
tired and gave the signal.
The duelists picked up the swords, my
friend at once betaking himself to the