The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-09-25

llarFeu our eAteftalh1Hent, pfoHcFcu III
his pass. which [ declined he then so
iieited me to return to ahc cafe and wal
FIR him. accedcd to his request, and
having opened u claret cup well iced, sa
for some time meditating on the probabl,
issue Of the event.
My friend at last came in, and ad
dressing me, said: Il must beg of you
personal favor-to prolong yonr stay II
Milan week. You have seen mt
Kicked" looking like demon, yes
kicked by the hoof of German pig
You must witness the mode. in which
shall cancel the debt"
9 l think you have already pretty vel
balanced matters | replied. eff the
Austrian used his foot, you repaid the
obligation amply, by spelling his hand
some face with your fist"
"Thc stain of a kick is only effaced by
blood. Everything is arranged for a
meeting next week. 1t can't take place
| earlier, the Austrian is under arrest
| for lis last duel. Tonight I must see
my old fencing master, Di Pratt; will
| you come -
| consented, and accompanied my
| friend to the back of the Duone, shcre
fcssor was situated, once crowded with
students, but latterly deserted for the
rooms of a rival professor, De Lianeourt,
teacher of the. Austrian officer, the fire.
eater Of iiIan
The hall was hung around with foils,
breast plates, masks, and all the usual
furniture of place where assaults, both
with sharps and blunts, were customary
The Professor was tall, gray whisk-
cred man, of martial aspect, with arms
barred to the elbow, displaying mass
of muscle seemingly as tough as catgut
'.You are too late, Count" said he,
looking at my friend. "Play has been
over this hour"
at is not play it is something serious
l come to you about. This way, old
friend, and let me explain"
They retired to a distant part of the
room, and my friend, in few words,
stated what had occurred.
The Professors face wore look of
concern.
1.-The Austrian will insist on the duel
q Z entrance, | fear."
''My unaterable determination is that
il. shall be so. ] have week to get up
my fencing. VIII you take me in
charge p
stWhy come to me Your challenger
has already killed three of my best
pupils, and has brought discrsdit upon
my school. You should rather seek in
struction from my rival, De Liancourt,
his teacher"
81 prefer to come to you"
''I will teach no more pupils to throw
away their lives by disregarding my
s'I promise, on my honor, to obey them
'sCome then; you will have to fight
with broadswords. Put on mask and
reast-platc, and let me see what you
can do
Master and pupil, being properly at
tired, commenced to play.
My friend exhibited an amount of |
agility and skill I was unprepared for. /
The master watched his play closely, |
himself with parrying blows
md thrusts delivered with much spirit |
md artistic skill
The bout was over.
"Weil, Professor, does your pupil dis
grace you ?'
'.Your play has some pretty things for
he fencing school. They must all be
discarded with that Austrian. Attend
irst, discharge from your eyes all that
passion which enables an adversary to
Master your intentions; next, tako to this
,uard and keep it."
The Professor threw himself in an at
itude once favorite among the Scot
ish gentlemen of the sword, but now
egleeted by fencers of the modern
chool. I believe it is termed the hang
ng guard
My friend initiated the Professor
"Not en- quartz, but en- seconde5 your
word hand higher than your head, with
loping point your left brought in front
eady to parry. Good You have now
ne surest guard you can use; you make
strong cross on your opponents sword,
nd your parade is more certain. You
ave weekl Well, l shall exercise
ou only in this guard, and the pnrades
hat flow from it,
"Am I not to assault ?v
"But once on it will depend the issue
the fight. will teach yeu the mode
he last thing. See, your adversary is
racticed and skillful !; but he knows i
ply what has been taught him by his
laster. One or two tricks Of science he
specially relies upon. I know how to I
ounteract them and had my pupils,
hen challenged, attended to my instruc-
ons, they might have been alive now to |
redit their Instructor. Bear il mind, I
our opponent has great bodily strength, !
i'd is cunning of fence but foiled in /
is favorite passes, he loses temper in
lat lies your safety. Having played !
1t his tricks, he takes to his last and ]