The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-03-27

benski; and now, my Ehglshman,
mind yourself, or you'll be spitted
like one of the toads in my summer
house, The last lived three days.
Rodna," added he, turning to that
general, "vith q nail through his
belly"
So saying, the prince sprang upon
his steed. With great skill he put
the animal through the most difficult
evolutions, at the same time execut-
ing sundry parties and thrusts with
his lance.
"All ready?" he cried, riding up
to me.
"Ready, your highness," was the
reply, and he, setting spurs to his
horse, galloped on to the further end
of the avenue.
"Surely this is all q jokeP" I said
to General Rodna.
"By no meansp was the reply
''You will either lose your life or
gain your appointment Defend
yourself as if you were on a battle
field"
Matters had taken a much more
serious turn than I had anticipated.
Had I considered myself at liberty to
return blow for blow, 1 could have
taken my chance without uneasiness,
but finding myself bound to control,
as well as to use, o keen-edged sa-
ber, while exposed to the sharpened
lance of a reckless antagonist, the
chances of the diversion were deci-
dedly against me. It was too late,
however, to draw back.
I summoned to my aid all the cool
ness and address 1 possessed, and
prepared to face the Czarowitsch,
who had already passed the end of
the advance, and turned his horse
about. The animal advanced at full
speed, Constantine being crouched
down upon his neck in such a man
ner that he was nearly concealed by
UuO dDuuIlduU luuu6.
When he reached me he made a
point at my breast, but 1 parried his
thrust, and bounding on one side,
horse and rider, carried away by their
impetuosity, passed by without doing
the slightest injury.
every good, very goodl" he said,
"try again.
Without giving me time for objec-
ton or remark, he took space for his
career, and, after asking me if was
ready, returned to the charge with
great fury. As before, I kept my
eyes fixed on his, and not one of his
motions escaped me. At the decisive
moment I parried en- parle, and, by
spring to the right, made his second
attack as harmless as the first.
Uttering a howl of disappoint-
ment, the Czarowitsch entered into
the spirit OF our match as ardent
ly as if it had been q real COM
bat, and had, moreover made up his
mind that it should terminate in his
favor, but when I saw him retracing
the ground for the third assault, l
resolved that it should be the last.
Again he advanced toward me with
speed; this time, however,
contenting myself with
mere parry, I dealt a violent back
handed blow on the poll of the lance,
which was severed by the stroke, and
Constantine felt himself disarmed.
Then, quick as thought, I seized the
bride of the horse, and by violent
jerk threw him on his launches, at
the same time placing the point of
my saber on the breast of the rider.
General Rodna uttered a cry of
alarm; he thought 1 was going to
kill the Prince. Constantine also
had the same impression, for the
color left his cheek for an instant. =
pace backward, and bow
ing to the Grand Duke:
"Your highness," 1 said, "hast
now seen what I anu able to teach to
Russian soldiers, and whether I am
worthy to become their Professor.
eyes, by my soul you arel Never
saw q Drawer fellow; and a regiment
you shall have, if I can get it foryou
Now follow me" he added, as he
threw himself from the saddle, and
led the way to his apartments.
When there he took up a pen and
wrote at the foot of the petition to
the Emperor, which I had fortunate
ly in readiness:
"I humbly recommend the petit
fioner to your imperial majesty, be-
lieving him in every way worthy of
the favor he solicits."
1t is only necessary to add that,
after some short delay, l was fortu-
nate enough in procuring the post I
SO anxiously sought.