Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-09-10

"Twice to ten, your highness," re-
piled /, pressing him very hard.
Eight, nine, ten ! Now we are
quits"
"Good, good !" cried the Caro-
witsch, approvingly very good.
But that's not all. The small sword
not enougb-no use to the cavalry !;
want the saber. How could you de-
fend yourself, on foot, against a
mounted lancer Parry a lance thrust !?
Eli ?"
g think could, your highness."
"Think so Not sure, ell ?"
Pardon me, your highness, have
no doubt of it..
"Lubenski % again shouted the
prince.
The officer appeared.
"a lance and horse Quick -
But, your highness, / interposed.
Ha you are afraid ?''
"I am not afraid but with your
highness 1 should experience equal re-
luctance to be the victor or the van
pushed"
"Ar nonsense and hattery. First
trial was capital. Now for the Sec
ond."
At this moment the officer appeared
before the windows of the palace, lead
ing magnificent horse, and bearing a
lance In his hand.
"Now, them" exclaimed Constantine,
as he dashed out of the room, and made
me sign to follow him. "Give him a
good saber, Lutenski and ROW, my
Englishman, 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, 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 execut-
ing sundry parties and thrusts with his
lance.
GAN ready he cried, riding up
to me.
Ready, your highness," was my re-
ply; and he, setting spurs to his horse,
galloped off 10 the further end of the
avenue.
"Surely, all this is joker" 1 said
to Gen. Rodna.
"Byno means, was the reply. "You
will either lose your life or gain your
appointment. Defend yourself as if
you were ON battlefield"
Matters had taken a much more
serious turn than / had anticipated.
Had / 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, keen-edged sabre, while
exposed to the sharpened lance of a
reckless and royal antagonist, the
chances of the diversion were decidedly
against me. 1t was too late, however,
to draw back.
/ summoned to my aid all the cool
ness and address / possessed, and pre-
pared to face the Czarowitsch, 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 parr;ed 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 |" 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, kept my eye:
fixed on his, and not one of his motions
escaped me. At the decisive moment ]
parted en- parle. and by a spring to the
right made his second attack as harm.
less as the first.
Uttering howl of disappointment
the Czarowitsch entered into the spirit
Of our fitting match as ardently as i
it had been a real combat, and had
moreover, made up his mind that j
should terminate in his favor; bu
when / saw him retracing the GROUND
for the third assault, resolved that i
should be the last.
Again he advanced toward me will
whirlwind speed; this time, however
without contenting myself with a mer,
parry, 1 dealt violent back-handet
blow on the pole of the lance, which
was severed by the stroke, and, Con
stantine felt himself disarmed. Then
quick as thought, I seized the bride o
the horse, and by violent jerk threy
him on his launches, at the same tim
placing the point of my sabre on tn
breast of the rider.
Gen. Rodna uttered cry of alarm
he thought l was going to kill tn
Prince. Constantine also had the sam
impression, for the color left his chez
for an instant. Stepping pace back
} ward, and bowling to the Grand Duke
I said: "Your Highness Las now seel
what / am able to teach to Rus
sian soldiers, and whether am worth
to become their professor.
"Yes, by my soul, you are! Neve
saw drawer fellow; and regimen
you shall have, if I can get it for you
/ Now follow me-" he added, as he three
himself from the saddle, and led tn
: way to his apartments.
When there, he took up a pen an
: wrote at the foot of the petition to tn
Emperor, which l had fortunately
readiness:
81 humbly recommend the petitione
! to your Imperial Majesty, believing hi
in every way worthy of the favor he 81