Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-02


ence Of mind and calm, self-sustaned
valor. father than IN aleight and dexterity.
Armand De Laguy was dressed sumptuous-
ly. In the same garb indeed which he had
worn at the festival wherein the strife
arose which was now on tine polnt OF be-
ing ternlnated-and forever
Few moments were spent In delibera-
ton between the godfathtrs OF the COM
batnnts, and then It was proclaimed by De
Jarnae that the wind ana sun having been
equally divided between the two swords
men, their places were assigned; that II
remained only to decide upon the choice OF
the weapons; that the choice should be reg
ulated by throw Of the dice: that with
the weapons so chosen they should fight
TIL one or other should be hors de combat;
that In case that either weapon should be
bent or broken, the seconds should cry
Hold!,' ana recourse be had to the other
swords, the use OF the poniard 10 be op-
uonal, as II was TO be used only for parry
ing and not for striking; that either COM
Datant striking a blow or thrusting after
the utterance OF the word Hold" or using
the digger TO inlet a wound. should be
dragged 10 the block and die the death OF a
felon"
This proclamation made. dice were pro-
duce1, and De Neyers winning the throw
for Armand. the rapiers and stiilettos
which he had selected were produced. ex-
amlned carefully and measured and delly-
cred to the kindred foemen.
II was stern and fearful sight, for there
was no bravery or show In their attire. nor
was there aught chvRlrous in the ,yay Of
battle. They had thrown on their coats and
hats, aud remained in their shirt sleeves
and undorgarments only with napkins
bound about their hrows, and their ewes
fixed each ON The other with intense and
terrible mallgnity.
Tho signal was now given and the blades
fHHaFR HrN 4.
seen how fearful was lhe advantage which
De Laguy had gained by the choice of
weapons. for 1t was with the utmost dim
Guilty that Charles De La-IIire avoided the
lncsssant lunges OF his enemy. who spripu-
ing to aud fro. stamping and writing his
body In every direction. never ceased for a
moment with every trick OF feint and PASS
and flourish, to thrust at limb. face and
body, easily parrying with the poniard,
which he held In his left hand. the less
skillful assaults OF his enemy.
Within i've minutes the blood had been
drawn in as many places. though the
wounds were but superficial. from tho
swoh-arm, the face and thigh Of De La
Hire, while he had not as yet prlcked ever
so slightly his formidable enemy. His quick
eye, however, and hrm, active hand stood
MIN In stead, and he contrived In every
instant to turn tho thrusts OF Armand so
lar at least aside as to render them harm
less to life
As his blood however, ebbed away. and
as he knew that he must soon become weak
from the loss Of It,, De Jarnac evidently grew
uneasy, and many bets were offered that
Armand would Kill him without receiving
so much as a scratch himself
And now Charles saw his pcril and de-
termined on a fresh line OF action. Flinging
away his dagger he altered bis position
rapidly, so as to bring his left hand toward
De Laguy, and made a motion with 1t as
u to grasp his sword-hlt. He was imme-
diately rewarded by lunge which drove
clear through his left arm, close TO the ell
| bow-jolnt, but Just above it. De Jarnac
turned on the instant deadly pale. for he
thought all was over-but he erred widely.
for De La-lllre had calculated well his ac-
tlon and his time. aud that which threat
ened to destroy him proved, as he meant 1t.
his salvation--f0r as quick as light when
no felt the wound he dropped his own rapler
and grasplng Armand's guard with his right
hand, he snapped the blade short off in hIs
own manged flesh and bounded five feet
backward, with the broken fragment sim
sticking 10 his arm.
Hold shouted each godfather on the
! instant--and at the same time De I.a-Hire
exclaimed give us the other swords-giye
US the other swords. DE Jarnac--"
The exchange was made in a moment.
the stllottoes and the broken weapons were
gathered up and the heavy horse awords
| blFNh 10 tuv Cuunal0ntS, who auQin faced
each other with equal resolution, though
now with altered fortunes
Now, DE La-ilire," exclaimed De Iarnac
as he put the well poised blade into M
friend's hand. you managed that right cal
lantly and well-now ilght the quick nght
ere You shall talnt from pain and bleeding"
Ana II was instantly apparent that such
indeed was his intention. His eve lleht-
enod and he looked like an eagle about Ia
| pounee upon hts foe. as he drew up his
| form 10 It's utmost aeight and whlrled the
long new blade about his head as though
1t had been but a feather, Far less sublime
aud striking was the attitude and swords
manship Of De Lasuy. although he too
| fought both calamity and we'll. But al ma
| hfth pass ieintlnB at his head, Charles
fetched Ions and sweeping blow at bis
riaht leg, ard striking him below the ham,
| divided all tho tendons with the back Of ,he
doublc-edged blade-lhen springlng in befnrs
| he fell plunged his sword into his ho5,,
that tho hilt knocked heavily at his breast
bono ana the point came out glttering be-
tween his shoulders. The blood flashed o,it
OF the deep wound. from nose, and ears ami
mouth, as he fell prostrate, and Charie-
stood over him, leaning on his ayengins
weapon and gazing sadly into his stl0ening
features.
'Feca him a priest" exclaimed pe
Nevers, Tor by ell my halldome he will MOI
e he lives i've" cried the kim ,ss,,.
| from his seat. IN he lives i've he %li i,ys
long enough to do upon the block far no
lies there a teioa and convicted traitor. ana
/ by my seul ne seall die feloa's doom-but
\ brlug him q priest quickly"
Tho Old monk ran across the usts ana
raised the head OF the dying man ana haii
The. erneiix aluit before his glazing eyes
and called upon him to repent ara cnryss,
as he would have salvation. N''''VaA
fains and hali-eheked with blood he t,i-
tered form Tie words, ~ do-,i an c,',s ~,
Eail.yLehl double gulty,-pasdon. Oh. al All
Charles. -alArgnsfltsg' and "a IN -. -
died On bis qulyoring ltp5 hs 80. ~V'u4
iainilng Win Tue eseess of agony 4s"N
"Ho thegt Guards, heaasne.,,s -,
Henry .oH Nlh Inn. "a viii ~ s1 VIZ
a lSls e we BLACK before he die an hon
knlght - eyer fought Tor glory; t0'a q
Thea pc la Hire knelt down beside ~.
dylag man. ano took his hsnd a, ~ lae
ani raised II isndeF!y. while ! faiut s, avn