The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-11-26

| ANiSS w tSli, JOeiA AA1SoiAA-0N', ~
piled I, pressing him very hard.
Eight, nine, ten. Now we are quits. y
"Good, good p cried the Czaro 8itsch,
approvingly; every good. But that's
rot all. The small sword-not enough
no use to the cavalry; want the saber.
How could you defend yourself, on foot,
against mounted lancer? Parry a
lance thrust? Eh?"
II think I could, your highness."
s'Think SO Not sure, ell %
"Pardon me, your highness, I have
no doubt of it. %
''Lubenski p again shouted the
prince.
| The officer appeared.
GA lance and horse! Quick =
But, your highness, interposed.
| cha! you are afraid %
ssI am not afraid, but with your
highness I should experience equal re-
luctance to be the victor or the van
pushed.
''AIl nonsense and fattery. First
trial was capital. Now for the sec
ond'
At this moment the officer appeared
before the windows Of the palace, leading
magnificent horse, and bearing lance
in his hand.
Now, then," exclaimed Constantine,
| as he dashed out OF the room, and made
me a sign to follow him. 'Give him
a good gaber, Lubenski and now, my
EngEshman, mind yourself, or you'll
be spittad like one of the toads IN my
summer house The last lived three
days, Rodna," added he, turning TO
that general, with 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 ezecut-
ing sundry parties and thrusts with his
| lance.
ssAll ready?" he cried, riding up to
me.
Ready, your highness,' was my re-
ply; and he, setting spurs to his horse,
galloped off to the further end of the
avenue.
Surely, all this is ioke?" said to
| Gen. Rodna.
''By no means,' was the reply. S'You
will either lose your life or gain your
appointment. Defend yourself as if you
were on a battlefield"
Matters had taken a much more
serious turn than I had anticipated.
Had considered myself at liberty to
return blow for blow, [ could have
taken my chance without rneasiness !;
but finding myself bound to control, as
well as to use, keen-edged sabre, while
exposed to the sharpened lance of a
reckless and royal antagonist, the
chances Of the diversion were decidedly
against me. It was too late, however,
to draw back.
L summoned TO my aid all the cool
Eess and address possessed, and pre-
pared to face the Czarow1tsch, who had
already reached the end Of the avenue
and turned his horse about The AMI
NAL advanced at full speed, Constantine
| being crouched down upon his neck in
such manner that he was nearly con-
cealed by the abundant name.
When he reached me, he made a
point at my breast; but parted 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 good p he said );
''try again.
Without giving me time for objec-
ton or remark, he took space for his
career, and, after asking me if I was
ready, returned to the charge with
great fury. AS before. [ kept my eyes
| fixed on his, and not one of his motions
escaped me. At the decisive moment I
parted en- parle, and by spring to the
right made his second attack as harmless
as the first.
Uttering howl of disappointment,
the Czarowitsch entered into the spirit
of our fitting match as ardently as if it
had been real combat, and had, more
ever, made Up his mind that it should