The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-04-23
first trial was capital. Now far the

AT this moment the officer appear
ed before the windows of the palace
leading magnificent horse, ant
bearing lance in his hand.
"Now, then," exclaimed Constan
tine, as he dashed o1t OF the room
and made sign for me to follow
him. "Give him good saber, LII
benski and now, my Englisbmar an
mind yourself, or you'll be spitted
like one of the toads in my summer
house. The last lived three days,
with nail through his body"
SO saying, the prince sprang upon
his steed. With great skill he put
the animal through the most Difficult,
evolutions, at the same time execu.
ting sundry parties and thrusts with
the 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 all a joke ?" l said
to General Rodna.
"By no means !" was the reply
"Yeu will either lose your lite or
gain your appointment! Defend
yourself as if you were on a battle
field"
Matters had taken much more
serious turn than | had anticipated.
Had | considered myself at liberty
to return blow for blow, | could have
taken my chance without uneasiness,
but finding myself bound to control,
as we'll as to use keen edge1 saber,
while exposed to the sharpened
lance of a reckless antagonist, the
chances of the diversion were decid-
edly against me. 1t was too late,
however, to draw back.
[ summoned to my aid all the
GOODNESS and address I possessed,
and prepared to face the Czaro witsch
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 man.
ner that he was nearly concealed by
the abundant name.
When he reached me he made a
point at my breast. but l parried his
thrust, and bounding on one side,
horse and rider, carried away by
their inpetuosity, passed by without
doing the slightest injury.
every good, very good !" he said,
try again"
Without giving me time for OBJ
lection or remark, he took space tor
his career, and, after asking me if l
was ready, returned to the charge
with fury. As before, l kept my
eyes fixed on his, and not one of his
moves escaped me. At the de-
cisive moment L psrried en- parle,
and, by a spring to the right, made
his second attack as harmless as tn e
first.
Uttering a howl of disappoint.
ment, the Czarowitsch entered inlo
the spirit of our match as ardently
as if it had been a real combat, and
had, moreover made up his mind
that it should terminate ln his favor,
but when saw him retracing the
ground for the third assault, l resolv.
ed that it should be the last.
Again he advanced toward me
With whirlwind speed this time,
however, without "ontenting myself
with mere parry, l dealt a violent
backhanded blow on the poll of the
lance, which was severed by the
stroke, and Constantine felt himself
disarmed. Then, quick as thought,
| seized the bride of the horse, and
by violent jerk threw him upon his
launches, at the same time placing
the point of my saber on the breast
of the rider.
Gensral Ronda uttered a cry of
alarm. He thought l was going to
Kill the prince. Constantine also
1ad the same impression, for the
color left his cheek for an instant
Stepping pace backward, and bow,
ing to the Grand Duke, | said
Your highness, hast nov seen
what | ain able to teach to Russian
soldiers, and whether l am worthy
to become their professor.
eyes, by my soul you are never
saw braver fellow and regiment
,ou shall have, If I can get it fol
you. Now follow me-" he added, at
he now threw himself from the sad
die, and led the way to his apart
ments.
When there he took up pen and
wrote at the foot of the petition tc
the Emperor, which had fortunate.
ly in readiness.
81 humbly recommend the peti
tioner to your imperial majesty, be
lieving him in every way worthy o.
the favor he solicits."
1t is only necessary to add that
after some short delay, ! was fortu
nate in procuring the post l so anx
iously sought.