The National tribune., 1891-01-08

they pay we'll, and they've been willing
enough to pay, too; for it's always the bargain
that those who win pay"
And who would pay, old man," said
Lozana, If neither were to wiu?'
When that happens ii will be time
enough to say, but you can be sure it viii
not happen this time
"And why not this time?"
Not yard from where you stand Capt.
Diaz put his sword in the heart OF Pedro
Faldez-as big n man as he, and reck0ned
before that the best fencer in B0gota. You
can see his blood on the ground there YETI
Looking where he indicated, Lozana saw
few red spots that made him shudder.
" must look out for the other gentlemen"
said the wine merchant, and he left the room
while he was speaking.
The two friends lighted cigarets, and
smoked few minutes in silence. Finally
Morales said: How do you feel, my
friendgn
Il have no hope, Morales I feel a. one Of
those rats would IL eDrRered by cat, or some
other animal against which 10 is useless %
struggle; and i Will fight as he does, and
die as he does, too, no doubt. Laura viii
think / loved that accursed SNede. It's
very hard for me 10 feel that, when I'm gone.
no woman could be convinced 10 the con
tTary. All they're coming"
Steps were heard aud In a few moments
GaIlego opened the door and Diaz and Topaz
entered and handed their Capes 20 the wine
merchant, L0zana and Morales doing the
same
The face OF Diaz was distorted By rage :;
his breath came quickly; bis breast heaved;
his mouth, with its parted lips and com
pressed teeth, looked scarcely human
The principals drew their swords, and,
taking positions at opposite ends Of the
room, their seconds held whispered con-
sultatiou with them. Morales, using the Mt
most caution to avoid being heard, placed
his lips close to L0zanas ear and said
I've seen Diaz fence; / know his game
well; he comes 20 close quarters at once, and
always expects to find his opponent on the
defensive; anticipate him in this; he will
not be prepared and the a8kwaTdness of a
/ novice often disc0Ecert5 practiced fencer at
first; he is accustomed TO skiIIful tactician :;
your wild blows will come in q manner he is
/ not prepared for; strike for his sword arm,
that's the mark you're most likely to hit"
You are night" replied Lozana; am
ready"
We are ready, cried Topaz; are you?7
care said Morales, and at these words
/ Lozana rushed forward and had covered more
than half the distance which separated him
/ from Diaz before the latter had taken STEP
/ A few minutes, during which nothing was
| heard but the sounds OF the quick footsteps
and the clashing of the rapiers then sud-
/ denly, with groan and a curse, Diaz fell to
| the ground, his sword leaving his hand and
dropping by his side, while his sword arm
was transfxed by LCzana's rapier, which
I had been thrust with such force that its hilt
touched the flesh, and had escaped from the
hand which had held it. Lozana had to put
his foot on Diaz's arm and pull with both
his hands before he succeeded in drawing
/ out the blade
/ Having done this, he tore Christine's hand
I kerchief from the breast Of Diaz'5 coat
where it had been pinned, and stepped back
Gallego came quickly with knife and rip
ped open the wounded mans sleeve, and
Topaz bent over him and watched the flow
OF blood while Diaz, whose face was "A white
a marble, attempted 20 raise himself, and
cried
Tie up this cut, and give me pull at
the brandy bottle, and put a sword in my
left hand, and III kill that dog I'm not
beaten slipped the light was in my eyes /;
he's bungler; it was chance
His impOtent ordinations were inter-
T rupted By Topaz who said
The blood flows by thrObs that means
an artery. Make toUraiquet, Gallego. We
must stop this or he'll bleed 10 death in less
/ than half hOur.'
/ The tourniquet was soon made, and proved
/ effective, but not until much more blood had
/ been lost and the sufferer had become so
/ weak that he could not speak, but his face
\ still showed the anger which he felt. A
\ glass of brandy revived him a little, and
/ LOzana and Morales left the room with the
/ knowledge that there was no danger Of
death. In a few minutes they were in the
| ballroom again.
| Lozana found Christine standing alone,
/ waiting for gentleman who was getting
/ her a glass Of water. She saw her handker-
/ chief, and began to thank its reseuer, but he
| interrupted her with these words:
"Do not thank me, SenOrita; what have
done was not done for your sake, but because
| the opinion Of the world forced me to COM
| ply with a barbarous custom. Take your
| handkerchief; you'll find red spot on it
that may give you something to think
about"
lie turned abruptly and left her.