Arizona silver belt., 1894-01-20

built of split stones. l looked eagerly about, but could see no chance for out side aid to reach me. l should have been mortally nervous had not the lofty and supercilious air of Le Baron aroused my anger.
 The final arrangements were quickly made, and we each took corner, sword in hand. The conditions were briefly restated, that there might be no misun- derstanding--we were to remain each in his corner until the door was shut, when, after waiting one minute, the signal would be given, and we should be at liberty to slash each other as much as we could the fight to continue until one or the other was unable to carry it fur ther.
 My corner was farthest from the en- trance and opposite it.
 After the seconds had left the room, taking the light with them, Wilson on some pretext or other returned and handed me small flask. Then turning me about so that my back was toward the open door, through which tho light was streaming, he whispered:
 "Drink this, but do not turn until go out and shut the door. and after the duel Is ended. before the door is opened, close your eyes tightly and keep them closed until come 10 you and bandage them. Say that they are hurt. Your life de- pends upon following my directions"
 Before could reply or question, he left me. aud the door was shut. The hauor had swallowed seemed to course through my veins like lightning My head felt strange and my eyeballs began to pricBle. turned and was surprised to see what an immense volume of light poured through the small keyhole. As l looked it increased until the room was so light that l could distinctly see every part of it. I glanced at my antagonist and beheld him so plainly as almost to be able to distinguish his features. He was adjusting something inside his shirt front. l was about to call attention to the breach of the condition that the room should be in total darkness when the signal was given to make ready. Le Baron grasped hissword and lear d forward as If he were endeaYo.lng in the dim light to make ont something in front of him. At the second signal he stepped heavily forward. bat surprised me by quicB'y sp.inging to one side and then mc5ing stealthily toward the cen ter Ut the room. could not understand his tactics and did not move. He swung his sword iiercely with downward sweep, then to the right and left and ali around him, acting like a blind mar sticking at an invisible enemy. Again he moved in my direction, go iug through the same performance, and this he repeated seyeral times until ht came 90 near me that for safety moved to one side.
 i Where are youy he grumbled, swing 1 ing his blade around,
 1 Here, replied, and as be moved il my direction, branhshing the sword, stepped aside again, but he kept on il l the direction of my voice. For mo ment he stood still, swaying the weapon like one who depends solely upon hi. sense of touch was so near him ant the opportunity was so tempting gay, q lunge at hiLi. He made no attempt |, ward of the attack. and my swort touched him. Then he turned quickly slashing the air in a circle, but making l no motion toward me,
 It dawnei upon me then that he coulj not see as l could. and was not long il taking advantage Of this. conld easily keep out of his reach. while be was com ! pleteiy gi my mercy. 1 compromiset wiih myself o1 the advantage appar ently bud over him nnd did not attemp to kill him. but most cruelty lisagure, his face, cutting t until feared h might di5 from lo of blood Il could not have been half an hod when saw that he was growing weak and ended thc farce by knocking hin senSeless Co the floor. Then, closing m, eyes and holding my hands over them. called for help Wilson, the captain an, the sur seon came running in.
 My friend hastened to me, saying l Your eyes are hurtl Here, let me pu this handkerchief over them while mon sieur the surgeon attends to Le Baron.
 He deftly placed a thick bandage oye my eyes, and refusing the proifered al, oi the physician he led me up stairs an, to the carriage which was to convey m back 10 the city and my hotel. Le Baron afterward learned, was badly "cut mp, both physically and mentally, but nom of his wounds wls dangerous.
 On the way home, when l asked for al explanation, Wilson said;
 Well you know have made chem istry an absorbing study. Once, whil compouuding digitalis with some chem icals, I tried its effect upon dog an, discovered that he could see in tue darI; est room, running with perfect eas while had 10 grofs iny way along. Ol bringing him to the light too suddenl aftorward l sacrificed his eyesight | my curiosity, for he was thenccforth al most totally blind. Only after seyera trinls did 1 sufficiently understand tn workings of hiscompound not 10 injur the animal experimeuted on.
 Except myself have never tried on any human being until tonight. is a secret that am not ready 10 give t the world You must remain in you room tonight, and tomorrow you ca have but little light. Twill be with you.
 The morning papers gave full ac count of tho defeat of the great duellis Le Baron and highly praised the courag and skill of his American opponent.
 During the day Colonel Russell called but learning that could not see hin left congratulations and told Wilsoi that he hoped I would call on him q soon as was able to be out. as both hi daughter and himself were very anxiou to see mo, I called that evening am learned that had won the admiration of the father as l had tho love of tn daughter
 In short time l received q cablegran from my friends at home telling me tha fha y.o41tftx, boI loor1 ,,f ,,,t, Efrl,4 ,,,l