The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-16

| sought to secure for himself an advantageous
moment moment ali ali was btlstis and easnor. But above
the shouts Of the various officers. stationed ut
would seem IN nll ages). not SO much to preserve
| order IA to increase confusion. the trampling
and neigbing Of steeds, and the jinRing OF mar :
tial edui uipmens. arose the loud fanfare of the
trumpeler. making young pulses danee' with
AZ the blast died away. profound senoe en-
sued The two champions and their esauires
alone occupied either extremity Of the barriers.
| Each regarded his antagonist with curiosity.
On the part of Cricliton the feeling was one OF
delight on on hat 1 2f R Henry Of Bour r,
wrong. Move .tbeless. his fra K and noble ma
turc could not resist the scots high claims TO
consideration and rs no narrowly serutinized
bis matehless symmetry Of figure and consum-
| mate grace Of demsnnor he, who was no harsh
Judge Of woman. felt alf-disposod to overlook
"yentre- sante- grisl" he mentally circulated
"a likelygalard to please the fancy Of queen
and worth thousand such migniard v0luptu-
aries os tho balladin La Mole. or that grand
dogoute Turenue. ! could forgive his attentions
to Marguerite. But there ia our fair cousin, Of
Conde-l must punish his presumption in that
quarter. Ba hal the devil Is In bis steed
Crichton now drew his vizor over his glowing
Of his heart. with light and steady hand placed
his lance In its rest. The trumpet sounded for
the second time: and Henri was about to follow
the Scots example. In expectation OF the signal
| Of assault. when affrighted by the R,rchei fut-
terng over his bead. his fiery charger disres
dashed headlong into tho area
| Expert in all martial exercises. the chivalousr
Bourbon was ono OF tho best borsernen Of his
| time. and his arm was endowed with ordi-
nary vgor: but neither skill nor strength
! avaled him on tho present emergency. Bueum-
| bered by his lance, which he was unwilling to
! throw aside lie could only employ his left hand
in coercon-whlle. deeply mortified and irrtat-
ed at the occurrence. his efforts were in the first
place directed rather to the punishment than
made matters worse. Each application Of the
spur was followed by II fierce and violent
| WINGED. and resorted to every vicious practice
and stralagem TO dislodge his rider. In this he
failed But. in his turn. his rider failed in com
| peliing him to approach the lists.
| AT this Juncture, and just as the monarch. fun
Of wrath against his counsellor Rosni. began 10
| despair Of accomplishing his point assistance
was afforded him from 81 quarter when o it
! could have been least anticipated. Peresiving
| the Bourbons inability to govern his charger.
| Cricht0n rode towards him-and in q tone OF the
| highest courtesy rr0fored 10 exchange steeds
with him express ing, ~ the same time. his per
feet conviction that ho could achieve the ami
| mails subJ9ctiOn, and carry him safely through
| the course.
by tho soul Of Bayardl" returned the Bour-
| bon with equal cou tesy, fame hath not beied
! you CbcvaIier Crichton Your proifer is worthy
| of n brighter age Of ehyalry, and should have
| bsen mado to worthier knight than m9sef. In
| aeceding to your proposal feei that L aoknowl-
| edge my defeat In eny case you are the victor
in point Of generosity; Nor VIII ! by . refusal
| flung himself from his chargers back
1t follows not because ! may be the more ex-
pert horseman, that shall also prove the more
! expert titer." returned Crichton. dismouuting.
| IF you overcome the ifnpetuosity Of this fro-
wa beast. you will accomplish ~ feat more
difficult than that OF Alexander OF Maced9n,
| bringing him to the palcs look well to yourself
| / promise YOU the reception due to 80 valiant Il
Champion
Les plus jolls mont pas n leur plaisaDce
Aucune fois fhonneur ct 10 rcnofn."
You will find me no falneant." replied Crich
ton. Nor do think so lightly OF yosr prowess
as 10 neglect your caution
At this moment tho Baron de Rosni. attended
by Montioie and Joyeuse rode q y 10 them.
sire said s.osn. in whisper. Il pray you
Stand back, sirw returned the Bourbon.
coldly.
"Cbevaltor Crichton.' said Rosni. turning to
the Scot, mount not that ungoveruable horse
y charger is as your service"
Crebton replied by yaulting into the saddle OF
the King Of Navarro. and giving the rein TO the
barb. he careered round the tilt yard. as II he
was borne by ono OF the winged horses OF the
sun.
Ing nftor him with q smile.
Vain were the efforts Of the nigh frantic steed
to shake his firm seated rider; he had to strive
against ono with whom contention was iDeffec-
tual. Criehton for the moment allowed him to ex-
pend his fire. He then struck spurs fereely into
his eidess and compelled him TO execute up
wards Of twenty capriolos in a breath. His fury
now ysibly abated: and the Scot complsted his
mastery by another career, and swift success
sion Of curyets. The next moment the animal
stood controlled and motioness at the entrance
The loudest paudits would have followed this
achievement had not all clamor been interdicted
during this actual progress OF the lousts. AZ 1t
was. an rrepre9sible murmur testified the won
derment and delight Of the specta ors.
The clarion now sounded for the third time.
and the sombatants started on their career
Both lances were splintered BY the vehement
shock Of their encounter. But no injury was
sustainnd ON either sido A similar result fol-
lowed the second atteiute.
Give mo that painted spear II is Of tougher
4 I.ta
trumpet was blown for the third assault. And
couching his Lance, as he again sprang forward.
be directed 1t. with unerring aim. against the
crest Of his antagonists morton.
The result Of the career was decisive. The
shock was more violent than tn Sc Of the pre-
ceding reneounters The lance Of the Bourbon,
whose mark ha | been the centre Of the Scots
helm. again shivered to the handle; while the
stroke Of Crichton, into which he had thrown all
bis force. would unquestlonably have unhofsed
his adversary had not the helmet Of the mon
ar h. which had never been firmly fastened
bs ss1s bd his amt n9S ao yin I'm ss yielded to
Bon dieu! exriaimed II .nri III. rising; 1t
is the Bearnais--it is, our brother OF Navarro
a thousand. What, hol our steedl our sseedi
Who're is our mother 9--where is her majesty.
Catherine de Medicis2 We would speak with
US. messe gneurs. and let our body guard tie
trsbled. Some conspiracy may--nay. must be
you cousin Of Nevers I See the outiss Of the
i'll yard. suffer none to 20 forth. or 10 enter.
By Saint Hnbertl we have nafed tiger.
Crichton meantime. had reigned in his steed,
and returned to tae Bourbon. " Sire" he said,
speaking in low, determined tone. have,
unwittingly. betrayed you to your foes; But
if yoa will con6de in me. pledge myself TO ac-
comDiish your deiverance
My counsel to your majesty. lnterposed
Rosnf would be to hase en- to the king. your
brother. and, u po sible. obtain permission to
depart with your escort ere he have tims TO con-
fer with the Queen Mother. 1t is your only
hope"
Henri avertrd his head from his confidant.
"ChevaIier CrThfon" he said. addressing the
Scot. g / viii trust you. There ls my handy'
" II / take It not. sire" replied Cricht9n, your
majesty will understand my motive. when say
tn Il the eyes of Catherine do Medicis are upon
US"
"Trne" replied the Bourbon and those Of
our fair cousin Of Conde. also-hem cheyalier."
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ENGLIsHMAN.