The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-13

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sion. Slender and weakly as he was, they
had expected nim to select the lghtest ac~
| coutrements. They assented, however, to
the coat of mail, TO the long. two-edged
sword, which was quite out of fashion in
France and Italy, but still used by the
Swiss, who chung to the gigantic weapons
That had served their ancestors so well at
Granson and Murten and Nancy. Nor was
any objection offered to the two daggers-
the long o e to be worn on the thigh, the
little one in the boot But they declared
themselves strongly against the part of the
equipment on which De Jarnac, counseled
by the Italian, most strenuously ns,sted-a
large shield Of polished steel ard pair of
long iron gauntlets.
The question was debated at great length
before the marsnals of France, who, with
| the constable, Anne de Montmorencv, at
their head, acted as judges. Tne hours
passed slowly away the spectators grew
impatient, and the long shadows were slant
ing across the turf before they had arrived
at any conclusion. Chataigneraies friends
argued that, according to the terms of the
cartel the choice OF weapons was limited to
those generally used by knights and gentle
men. Certainly no gentleman then living
had ever gone into battle with his arms en-
caaed in intleXible gauntiets such as those
De Jarnao was proposing to wear. De
Jarnac sponsor, on the other hand, in,
sisted that as they were revertinE 20 an an
tlque usage, consistency required that it
should be revived IN is entire detail. A
Judicial combat with modern weapons
would clearly be an enachronism.
De lsy's eloquence - oud probably have
been wasted after all if the constable had
not had private stake in the game. The
pos of colonel general in the Infantry had
lately become vacant and the king had prom
lsed tn Montmoreucoy for his nephew, Gas
pard de Coligny, the best man probably that
could be found for he place The Guises,
however, did not approve Ct this choice.
hey detested Coligny. and they and Diane
between them persua led Henry t. change his
ulud and UmI ate another ColOEel general.
Chataigueraie was tue favorite Of the mo-
ment, why should not he have the appoint
ments MO4tmoiency mad. therefore, good
family reasons for wishing Chat
aigneraie out OF the way; and the
crafty old solder was not the man TO let
any chance slip. He saw what the Italian
had seen-that Chataigneraie's strength aud
dexterity would be very much neutralized
by the proposed armor; aud for once he
abandoned his usual prudent policy of sid
ing with the stronger party. The casting
vote was his, aud he gave it in favor of De
Jarnac. The gloves and shield were pro-
nounced lawful
By this time it was nearly o'clock. The
sponsors had examined the combatants to
be sure they we're not unfairly protected
by any charm or magic amulet. The pro-
ceeding annoyed Chataign eraie. docs any
one imagine that l require charm TO aid
me against such foe!' he demanded
The heralds proclaimed silence The peo-
pie were enjoined on pain Of death to make
nc sound while the trial lasted, not even to
cough. The two figures in their grotesque
panoply appeared at opposite sides, Cha
taigneraie terribly hampered by the infexi-
bic iron on his right arm and the heavy
shield on his left. They met in the center
Of the lists, and the Poitevan lunged hercely
at his foe. De Jarnac evaded the stroke,
and, flinging his lately acquired science to
the winds, seized his long sword with both
hands, and struck blindly one desperate
blow for fame and life. Chataigneraie was
not quick enough to parry the attack. The
blade caught HIM on the knee, and he stag
gered and looked half dazed for moment.
Before he could recover himself De Jarnao
ssruck again in the same place, almost sew
erlng the limb. Without word Chataign-
eraie dropped heavily to the ground. The
combat was ended without third blow.
"Yieldp cried De Jarnac, scarcely be-
lieving his good fortune. But Chataig neraie
did not reply. De Jarnac hurried to the side
of the lists and fell on his knees before the
King.
81 give him to you, sire, he said. "Oaly
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 him. Chataigneraie struggled
to his knee, and snatcning w his sw lrd,
which lay within reach, aimed a furious
blow at his enemy.
''If you move. said De Jarnac. 81 will
kill you"
Kill me then" said the other falling
back.
De Jarnac turned again to the king and
appealed TO him passionately to speak.
He is your man, sire, " he cried. ~ 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 a serious predicament for De
Jarnac. To Kill tho kings champion in the
kings presence was too bold an action to
recommend itself to him. What career
would be open TO him afterwsrd? On the
other hand, if Chatalgneraie 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
pool Of blood, "for the sake OF our old
companionship, commend yourself to God
hllu l6L US De T6COIclleu.
But Chataigneraie remained perfectly
mute, as mute az Henry.
The patience Of the crowd was nearly ex-
haustei. Tho victory had been gained how
long would the king refuse to recognize TIE
victor! De Jarnac's patiencs was ex-
hausted too. He stepped across the arena
and looked up into the gallery where Diane
sat enthroned.
"Ah, madame" he cried. you told me
how it would be, 1t is as you said"
The people caught the meaning of tho
bitter significant words and thrill of anger
ran through the great crowd. No one ven
tured to speak; the place was profoundly
STILL but the king, looking down on the sea
of gloomy menaciug faces, was startled out
of his sullen silence.
'Do you give him to me?" be asked at
last in a dry, hoarse voice.
Yes, sire. yes, replied De Jarnao Only
say that am an honorable man, and when
YOU next go to war you will find me the
most faithful soldier in your army.
"G on have do your duty said Henry.
Your honor is saved.r
The constable went down into the lists
and announced briefly that Chataigneraie
ought to be removed, he was fast bleeding
to death. The dying man was carried
away, and then, according to custom. the
victor should have been led in a triumphsl
procession round the lists. The crowd
was expecting the ceremony, aad the con-
stable proposed it; but De Jarnac was wiser
than his friends. He had no wish to add a
sting to the royal modification, or to seem
to exult openly over the royal defeat. He