The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-26

| promised it to Montmorency for his
nephew, Gaspard de CoIigny the best
man probably that could be found for
the place, The rn Guises. lhrowever. did not
ligDy, and they and Diane between them
persuaded Henry to change his mind and
nominate another COlonei-General. Cha
taigneraie was the favorite of the moment.
why should net he have the appointment?
Montnoreney had. therefore. good family
reasons for wishing Chatagperaie out of
the way; and the crafty old soldier was not
the man to let any chance slip. He saw what
the Italian had seen-that Chataigeneraie's
strength and dexterity wonld be very much
once he abandoned his usual prudent policy
OF Siding with the stronger party. The
casting vote was his; and he gave it in favor
OF De Jarnac. The gloves and shield were
pronounced lawful
BY this time 1t was nearly o'clock. The
sponsors had examined the combatants to be
sure they were not unfairly protected by
any charm or magic amulet The proceed
ing annoyed Chataigneraie. docs any one
imagine that ! require charm to aid me
against such foe?' he demanded.
The heralds proclaimed silence The
people were enjeined on pain of death to
make no sound while the trial lasted, not
even to cough. The two figures in their
grotesque panoply appeared at opposite
sides, Chataigneraie terribly hampered ny
heavy shield on his left They met in the
center of the lists, and the Poiteyn lunged
fiercely at his foe. De Jarnac evaded the
stroke, and fiinging his lately acquired
science TO the winds, seized his long sword
win both hands and struck blindly one deS-
perate blow for fame and life. Chatagne-
rale was not quick enough to parry the at
tack. The blade caught him on the knee
and he staggered and looked half daZed for
moment. Before he could recover HIM
In trunl nair, in ha mn
place, almost severing the limb. Without a
word Chataigneraie dropped heavily to the
ground; The combat was ended without a
third blow.
Yield" cried De Jarnac, scarcely believ-
ing his good fortune. But Chataigneraie
did not reply. De Jarnac hurried to the side
of the lists and fell on his knees before the
King.
II give him to you, SIRE" he said. "only
admit that my honor is cleared"
The King was silent.
The victor, anxious and perpleXed, re-
turned to his PROSTATE opponent and knelt
down beside MIN. Uhataignerae struggled
te his knee, and snatcliing up his sword.
which lay within reach, aimed a furious
blow at his enemy.
"If, you move," said De Jarnac. 81 will kill
you"
XIII me them" said the other falling back.
De Jarnac again turned to tie King and
appealed to him passionateIy to speak.
'He is your man, SIRE" lie cried. Il give
him to you freely. Say that am an honor
able man and take him, for the love Of
heaven"
But the King would not answer.
1t was serious predicament for De JAR
nae. To kill the Kings champion in the
recommend itself 10 him. What career
would be open to him afterward? On the
other hanu, if Chataigneraie lived to re-
cover his first thought would naturally be
revenge. De Jarnac made one more at
tempt.
''CHATAIGNERAIE, OLD CoMRADE,"
He said, bending over the WOUNDED man,
who lay in a pool of blood For the sake
OF our old eompanionship commend your
self to God and let us be reconciled."
But Chatalgnerae remained perfectly
mute-ss mute as Henry.
The patience of the crowd was nearly ex-
ha listed. The victory had been gained.
How long would the King refuse to recog-
nZe the victor? De Jarnac's patience was
exhausted. too. He stepped across the
arena and looked up into the gallery where
Diane sat enthroned.
''Ah, madame" he cried s'you told me
| how it would be. II is as you said"
The people caught the meaning of the
| bitter significant words. and thrill of an
ger ran through the great crowd. No one
! ventured to speak. The place was pro-
| foundry still; but the King, looking down
| startled out of his sulien silence.
| do you give him to mel" he asked at last,
in dry, hoarse voice.
| Yes, SIRE. yes" replied De Jarnac.
only say that l am an honorable man, and
| when you next go to the war you will find
me the most faithful soldier in your army
on have done your duty" said Henry,
reluctantly. Your honor is saved
The Constable went down into the lists
and announced briefly that Chataigneraie
| n IN p.41 ha fosf
to death. The dying man was carried away,
ard then, according to custom, the victor
| should have been led in a triumphal pro-
cessiou around the lists. The crowd was
expecting the ceremony, and the Constable
| proposed 1t, but De Jarnac was wiser than
! his friends. He had no wish to add sting
to the royal modification, or to seem to exuIi
| openly over the royal defeat He declared
that he would rather omit the closing
triumph. Il desire no other glory, SIRE y
| said he prudently, than to serve my king. u
Henry by this time had recovered his com.
posure. De Jarnac was conducted to the
platform on which he sat, and the King con-
graduated the man he had hoped to murder
III manner that must have been extremely
| gratifying to the soul of the courtier "You
have fought like Caesar, and spoken like
Aristotle was the very remarkable CON-
| pliment with which he received him.
1t was now growing late, but the crowd
| was not inclined to disperse quietly. They
we're excited and indignant, eager to test
their approval of the turn events had taken.
| Their attention was directed TO Chataigne-
| rates pavilion, where all was in readiness
| Tor the great banquet with which he had in
tended to celebrate his triumph. The mob
poured into the tent, devuured the rich
| viandS, overturned the furniture, trampled
the splendid hangings under foot and car
! rled of the silver plate which had been SC
! confidently borrowed for the occasion. The
King. not sorry perhaps for an excuse Tor
relieving his feelings, ordered his guard to
! put an end to the tumult, and they charged
the mob, pike in hand. A few were
killed and many were badly wounded. But
| none the less, the people went home triumph
| antly through the warm twilight, by no
means disconnected with the days enter
| tainment.
Henry appears ohave forgiven De JarnaC
| lis danger us success. His own defeated
champion he could not bring himself to for
| give The dying man looked in vein for
SEINE crunb of consolation, some word of
| compassion; none was sent. His royal
| patron had flung away the poor tool thai
had failed to serve his purpose; it was
| nothing to him what became of it. In a
passion of despair Chataigneraie tore the
bandage from his wound and bled 10 death.
| The Duke of Guise generously erected a
| handsome monument to his memory, with q
long inscription lin the antique Roman
mode" narrating the virtues of his I'M
| fortunate friend, and adJuring the passer-by
not to let ''one tritiing defeat" blot out the
memory of his many achievements.
! There were no more judicial combats in
| France. They were forbidden few years
later by the Council of Trent, and public
opinion supported the canon. But the in
| cident left permanent mark upon the Ian
| guase Of the nation. and the memory of il
is preserved i'll the popular phrase-Le
| Coup de Jarnac.
50 GOING DOWN TO MARY,S.n
INT Spent His THANKSGIVING in the Land