The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1894-03-23

he had ;niscalculated. Swerving slightly
to the side, caught his blade on mine, and
the sharp, fell ringing Of steel announced
to the ranotest Of the spectators that two
man We. sezhting for their lives.
kssyusls preserved complete silence,
showing no disposition to interfere. There
was no conhnotion; the drama Of death
went on without sound save what was
made by the whistling, clashing swords of
the combatants, for, the Arabs being un.
demonstrative, take the sight Of blood and
the issues Of life and death without excite
ment or horror or pity.
l have no recollection Of the particulars
Of the fight. only know that for my part
went at it with a single, simple purpose;
that had no thought Of fancy swordsman-
ship, nor indeed of anything else save not
to yield while could draw breath.
Ny opponent had the first blood. BY
some accident or clumsiness on my part
his sword in glancing of mine struck my
shoulder, peeling it. But the wound,
though 1t b ed freely, was a flea bite, and If
1t had any effect at all it was to spur me
on. l pressed hard, forcing my antagonist
back inch by inch to larboard. the crowd
giving way III that direction.
He fought like beast Of prey. but in
spite Of his fury, or perhaps because Of 1t,
/ kept pushing him steadily before me till
atlast his heel was against the vessels side
Finding himself at the wall, he uttered q
great oath, the first word he had spoken
since we engaged, and piled his weapon
with such swiftness and force that it was
msrvel 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 thrustinR as
If l had the eyes Of Argus and the hands Of
Briareus was able to maintain my ground;
nay, was able to keep his back glued to the
briggs side.
Blood flowed pretty freely on both aides
yet the sight of 1t did not relax my resolu-
ton, il resolution IL can be called, which
was blind decision to have my sword in
my opponents vitals or his In mine. One
Of US twomust die. That was the foil YER
dict. S0We fought not to show our science,
but as men fight who are bent on killing
each other in the shortest possible space Of
time had but to look into bis eyes to SEQ
the fate intended for me, and / daresay he
lookedinto mine and read with equal clear
ness that meant for him.
There was no device known to either Of
us-aud Abram ben Alden must have cursed
himself Tor my dexterity Ito which we did
not resort Yet the advantage hung In the
balance Terrific as the blades rang and
glanced, they somehow failed to find their
point on either side.
The breathing was becoming hard and
fast, and there was some risk we might be
deprived Of the satisfaction for which both
OF US painted by our very eagerness and VIC
lence IN trying to get It. That some such
thought must have flashed across Abram
ben Aden's mind was quickly made mani.
Test BY hts maneuvering. Blowing and
staggering as II in the last stage Of exhaus'
ton, he suddenly swerved, apparently with
{ the intention Of fight, at the same time
making . very feeble defense.
The mse nearly gave him my lite Fol
An Instant thought ] had him, and my
whole esing thrilled with unholy glee. But
the light in his eyes and my knowledge Of
his crafty ways speedily put me on my
guard again and restrained my Ill timed
exultation. Well for me that they did.
Scarcely had I recovered myself when
Abram bon Alden, with great roar and
strokes that fell like lightning, charged
upon me, pushing me back and nearly run
ming in under my sword. But he had de-
layed the onset just second too long