Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-04-04

He SDTG7lg upon tue 1Ctut Itt Ht1otOity
ferocity Of tiger.
he had miscalculated. Swerving slightly
to the side, caught his blade on mine, and
the sharp, fell ringing of steel announced
to the remotest of the spectators that two
men were fighting for their lives.
The crowd preserved complete silence,
showing no disposition to Interfere. There
was no commotion; the drama of death
went on without a sound save what was
made by the whistling, clashing swords of
the combatants, for, the Arabs being un-
denonstrative, take the sight of blood and
the issues of life and death without excite
ment or horror or pity.
I have no recollection Of the particulars
of the fight. only know that for my part
went at it with n single, simple purpose;
that had no thought of fancy swordsman-
ship, nor indeed of anything else save not
to Weld while could draw breath.
Nv opponent had the first blood. Py
some accident or clumsiness on my part
his sword in glancing off mine struck my
shoulder, peeling it. But the wound
though It bled freely, was a flea bite, and if
it had any effect at all it was to spur me
on. pressed hard, forcing my antagonist
back inch by inch to larboard, the crowd
giving way in that direction.
He fought like beast of prey, but in
spite of his fury, or perhaps because of it.,
Ikept pushing him steadily before me till
atlast his heel was against the vessels side
Finding himself at the wall, he uttered a
great oath, the first word he had spoken
since we engaged, and piled his weapon
with such swiftness and force that it waa
a marvel escaped being slain on the spot.
No doubt it was my reckless calm that
saved me. At any rate, by driving in and
slashing and guarding and thrustinG as
if had the eyes of Argus and the hands Of
Briareus wasable to maintain my ground:
nav, was able to keep his back glued % the
brig's side.
Blood flowed pretty freely on both ,Ices,
vet the sight of it did not relax my realu-
tion. if resolution it can be called, v h!Gh
was blind decision to have my swa.i: IN
mr. opponent's vituls or his in mine eHr
OF MS two must die That was the fct ,tr
diet. So We fought not to show our SCI q a.
but as merl fight who are bent on k; e.
each other In the shortest possible spa ~ O
time. had but to look into his eyes pa
the fate intended for ME, and dares y II
looked into mine and read with equal !, M
ness that meant for him.
There was no device known to eth b If
us-aud Abram ben Alden must have cI ant
himself for my deXterity--to which w 1ii
not resort. Yet the advantage hung 4 4, cll.
balance. Terrific as the blades rang Hkl
glanced, tho" somehow failed to find a,as;
point on either side.
The breat ing was becoming hard rHf
fast. and there was sorre risk we miS;,t III
depriyed of the satisfaction for which bDii
of us painted by our very cagerness Rnt Vio
lence in trying to get it. That some smca
thought must have flashed across AlrRu
ben Aden's mind was quickly made maih
fest by his mancuvcring Blowing arc
staggering as if in the last stage of exhau.
ton, he suddenly swerved, apparently with
the intention of flight, at the same tim.
making q very feeble defense.
CONTINUED