The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-15
no" says he. ''But 1 wass thinking"

NO" says he. "but I wass thinking"
IL would not advise YOU to make prac-
tice Of that, sir" says I. II feel sure you
would not find it to agree with YOU"
''Tit you etfer here where Alan Grigor
faud the tangs?" said he
I asked him what he could possibly
mean, and be answered with heckling
laugh that he thought must have found
the poker in the same place and swal-
lowed it.
There could be no mistake about this,
and my cheek burned.
Before l went about to put affronts on
gentlemen" said I, az think | would learn
the English language first"
He took me by the sleeve with a. nod and
a wink. and led me quietly outside Hope
park. But no sooner were we beyond the
view of the promenaders than the fashion
of his countenance changed. You tam
iowIand scoon'rel!" cries he, and hit me a
buffet on the jaw with his closed fist.
| paid him as good or better on the re-
turn. whereupon he stepped little back
and took off his hat to me decorouslv.
Enough plows. 7 think" saws he, "I
will be the offended shentleman. for who
effer heard of such suffeeciencv as tell
shentlemans that is the kings officer he
canpae speak Cots Englishp We have
swords AZ our hurdles. and here is the
kings park at hand. Will we walk first or
let me show We the way?''
I returned his bow. told him to 60 first.
and followed him. As he went [ heard
him grumble to himself about Cots En-
clsh and the kings coat. so that | might
have supposed him to he seriously offended.
But his manner at the beginning of our
interview was there to belle him. 1t was
manifest he had come prepared to fasten a
quarrel on me, right or wrong: manifest
that | was taken IN fresh contrivance of
nv enemies; and 10 me Conscious as was
o. my defcienciesl manifest enough that
should be the one to fall in our encounter
As we came into that rough rocky desert
Of the kings park was ,emrted half a
dozen times to take TO nv heels and run
for IT, so loath was I 20 show nv ignorance
in fencing and so much averse TO die or
even be wounded. But | considered if
their malice went so far as this, it would
likely stick ut nothing. and that to fall nv
the sword. however ungracefullv, was still
an improvement on the galiows. | con-
sidcred besides that bv the unguarded
pertness of nv words and the Guickness of
nv blow | had put myself quite ont Of
court; and that even If | ran, nv adver-
sarv would probably pursue and catch me-
which would add disgrace TO my misfor-
tune. SO that. taking al in all. con-
tinued marching behind him much as a
man follows the hangman, and certainly
with no more hope.
We went about the end of the long
craigs, and came into the Hunters bog
Here, on piece Of fair turf. nv adversary
drew. There was nobody there to see US
but some birds. and no resource for me
bat 10 follow his example. and stand on
guard with the best face | could display
lt seems 1t was not good enough for Mr.
puncanshv. who snied some flaw in nv
maueuvres. paused. looked upon me
sharply. and came off and on, and mem
aced me with his blade in the air AsI
had seen no such proceedings from Alan,
and was besides good deal affected with
the proximity OF death | grew quite be-
widered, stood helpless, and could have
longsd 10 run away.
Fat dell ais her. ~ cries the lieutenant
And suddenly engaging, he twitchei the
sword out Of my grasp, ard sent il flying
far among the rCshes.
Twice was this maneuvre repeated aud
the third time when brought back nv
Inundated weapon | found he had re-
turned his own u the scahharf. and stood
awaiting me with a face Of some anger and
has hands claspei under his skirt.
Pc tanned if touch you,' he cried.
ana asked me bitterly what right had 10
StSUd up before "shpnt.emans" when 7
dj3 not know the back of sword from the
'front.' Of 4,
answered that was the fault of nv up-
bring rc, and would he do me the Justice
10 say had given him all the satisfaction
II was unfortunately IN nv power 10 offer,
and had stood m ike man
land thar Is the truth said he. Il am
ferry pave myself ami po'd as lions. But
~ stand UP there-aud YOU ken naething
OF fence the way that Won did | declare
il was pev0nd me- And am sorry for the
plow though declare peiief your own vas
the elder brother. and nay held still sings
with u. And declare II had kent what
way il wass ! would not put q hand TO
such piece OF business"