Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-06

Having played out his tricks, lie takes to
his last and usually fatal move. By
sheer strength of wrist he presses his OPP
ponents sword firmly aside, SO as to
make an open, then by fent and turn
of the wrist he delivers thrust which,
if it goes home, all is over. You must
wait patiently for this; when the thrust
is given, parry with your left, and then
see-la risposts-thus delivering the
stab not upwards, for in that case the
bones and muscles of the chest NAV
weaken it-but downwards, where the
point will only meet with the softer parts.
Its on tho play from the risposte that
your life depends"
/ have, l fear, imporfectly stated the
particulars Of the lesson, and the techni-
cal terms made use OF, my experience
in fencing being confined to a turn or two
with blunts at Angeles room. Of
course, as this was to be duel in down
right earnest, my attention was more
than commonly riveted on all that occur
red.
"And now for your weapon" said
the professor, opening a closet and pro-
ducipc a sword. " 1 have the measure
Of the Austrian's; this one is the exact
length"
The sword, at cursory glance, look
ed q very unpromising weapon with
which to defend mans life. My friend
evidently thought so, for he examined it
with dismayed look.
Why" said he, {" it is hardly more
than a lark spit; the Austrian uses a
Konigsberg blade, double the width and
weight of this toy"
Z" know it, but this toy as you term
it." surveying the weapon from heel to
point, has qualities that in proper hands
will prove more than match for the
best sword in Germany. 1t is q real
Seville blade nothing better in the
world. "See," placing it lepgthwise on
his finger, how admirably it is balanced;
notice the hilt. close barred and crossed
no fear of wounds on the sword hand;
then its temper" severiug large nail
upon which the brest plates were hung.
Look again" pressing the point against
the wall until it met the hilt, when re.
leasing the weapon, the blade instantly
returned to its normal condition. And
this last" striking the blade flat on an
iron anvil with all his force, there, that
alone is test which | defy even the fam
ed Konigsberg sword to undergo
Enough for this night. Come early to-
morrow for your lesson"
When We quilted the professor the doc
tor obtained promise from me that l
would not leave Milan until the result of
the duel was determined, and that l
would accompany him to the field.
saw little of my friend except in the
cvening-he was engaged elsewhere-I
did not ask in what direction. I sur
missed, correctly, he was with his fencing
master. lie never alluded to the APP
preaching duel-his conversation was
tranquil and on general topics; the af-
fray at The theater had, however, been
bruited about the city-every one knew
the duel was to come of, but 20 one
knew precisely when nor where.
We were about to part one night,
when he said quietly, A." to morrow morn
ing at five o'clock two carriages will be
at the ramparts one for myself and Sec
ond, the other for the surgeon and my
master Di Pratt. You will pass muster
as surgeon. Let me entreat you to make
no objection; tho details have already
been finally arranged. My opponent is
provided in similar way; he and his
second in one carriage, De Laincourt, his
teacher, and a real surgeon in the other.
Be punctual."
At five o'clock l found myself in the
carriage with Professor Di Pratt.
The place of combat was to be near
Monsa-just beyond the Milan territory
there were reasons for this which need
not be particularized.
The morning was cold and cherries;
when we alighted the day had not bright
ened. All parties got out Of the car
riages; the foes saluted each other briefly.
l noticed the murderous look in the Aus
TRANS eyes, and gave my friend up as
lost. Without word being spoken, we
walked on until we came to an open
space, smooth, but slippery with the morn
ing dew. This was the spot selected by
the two seconds, who, apparently quito
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-when /
drop my handkerchief-la risposte."
The Austrian officer disencumbered
himself of his cloak, and divested bim-
self of all of his upper clothing, leaving
his bust uncovered. never saw SO fine
form. Perfectly proportIoned on the
largest scale, he stood upwards of six
feet high; chest, arms and back billowy
with muscle; skin as white as that of the
fairest lady.
Ny friend, seeing the fighting costume
adopted by the officer, threw off his black
silk vest as if resolving that he would not
even have questionable advantage. In
size he looked a mere dwarf to his athletic
opponent; long, thin, wiry arms, Ghost
narrow. skin almost as dark as mulatto's
and with a grayish tinge, either the effect
of cold or fear, that, to my eyes, appeared
the forerunner of doom.