The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-25

antagonist, who made up in strength OF
arm and dexterity of wrist what he
lacked in lightness of foot. For close
upon five minutes the Frenchman at
tackled furiously, but the coolness OF
the Englishman was a. match for the
impetuosity Of his assalant, and he
waited with a quiet smile for the
Frenchman to tire himself out and his
turn to come.
At length De Courcey, drawing
breath hard, for he had hovered in a
circle while the Englishman had stood
the ground of his first choosing and
hardly moved ten feet in either direc-
tion, drew back. as feeling the futility
of his attack, and slightly dropped his
sword point. This was the English
mans chance, and by mere weight and
strength he drove De Courcey back
with a shower OF blows, until the
Frechman's foot slipping on q pebble,
he half fell, his weapon was knocked
from his hands, and Hollister held the
point Of his sword against De Courcey's
throat for an instant. then threw It
down and helped the Frenchman to his
feet.
Twas an accident" he cried; twill
you try again?"
mo, no, mon ami" replied De Cour-
cey; you are generous, too much; per-
haps some time again. with re rapier'
-Hollister bowed-"for now re Ameri-
can awaits my pleasure"
Nay" cried Hollister, "he must first
fight me; he struck me-" and he point
ed to mark on his forehead where my
fist had landed the night before.
He called me re traitor" cried De
Courcey, excitedly. II will fight first"
They were rapidly reaching a quarrel
when l interrupted, for my blood was
hot.
DO not squabble," said /, with some
braggadocio; Il will fight you both to-
gether."
Hollister shook his head, but De
Courcey rushed to me, and, cutting my
bonds, embraced me effusively.
'Ah, mon brave" he cried "ah, do;
re novelty. ct will be ee-mense. You
are re American D'Artagan, ah, ze
glorious Bob, Bob. Bobby" and he
patted my sword-hlt.
Don't be a fool" exclaimed Hollis
ter; "one at a time will be plenty, l
doubt not. Here, De Courcey, let's toss
for it. Heads you win; tails you lose"
and he tossed up a coin.
De Courcey bent over it eagerly, and
then drew himself up with a laugh.
Monsieur, / await your pleasure" he
cried
Hollister gave me his sword. You
will not take off your coat?" he asked.
No" replied l; "the air is COOL"
lie laughed knowingly. Your dis
patches?" he said.
"Ay" 1 replied and held myself in
readiness.
The Frenchman made few passes TO
draw me out, but 1 held myself well in
reserve, resolved to rush him as Hollis
ter had done, for I knew he was tired,
and the advantage was all on my side.
But l waited too long, for as we fenced,
| and more as If in practice than in ear
nest, he made a pretty feint, and
scratched me upon the forehead, and
before 1 recovered myself, again upon
the cheek. Then, as he laughed as if
| he were playing with me, / lost my
| head altogether, and rushed at him
| blindly. He guarded my fierce thrusts
| and cuts with admirable coolness and
| decision, until, my breath being spent
| from the force of my too vigorous at
tack, I dropped back, and the French
man coming on, lunged in quatre and
tierce, feinted, and ran me through the
left arm with the greatest ease.
The shock made me real, but l quick
| ly recovered and sprang forward
again eager for revenge, and doubt
not l should in my blind rage have
run upon my death had not Hollister
knocked up my sword, and caught
my arm.
You are to eager" he cried; save
yourself for me-"
Tam ready now" painted
ALLOW me first" cried DeCourcey,
ripping up my sleeve and binding my
wound with his kerchief. Fortunate
ly no artery was served and, though
the wound bed a good deal, it was in
no way serious
Hollister and / now faced each other
and l was cool enough to realize that
l had a more formidable antagonist
than the Frenchman, but for all that
l was eager enough for the fray.
He wasted no time in fencing as
De Courcey and had done, but lunged
fiercely and hard, quatre tierce-tierce
-quatre-cutS cut - quatre - thrust
Slowly l was forced back inch by inch.
He pressed me on until my eyes be-
came bloodshot and my tongue thick
with want of breath. Around and
around he drove me Once we rested
for moment, drew deep breaths, and
again our swords clashed upon each
other until my arm felt like lead and
my knees shock. Then, as I guarded
for a high thrust, he got his point
under my guard and lunged fiercely;
mechanically thrust, and as / did so
his sword struck me on the breast so
truly and strongly that l reeled and
fell, faint and dizzy. With my head
spinning, l staggered to my feet, saw
as in a mist my sword red with blood
and Hollister in De Courcey's arms,
the blood yelling from wound in
his shoulder
AS l staggered towards him he rails
ed his hand to his ear.
My troopers are coming" he cried
"let my horse be my ransom-go-''
Go monsieur" he exclaimed; II am
safe here. You are not"
/ hestitated and looked at De Cour-
cey.
l drew myself painfully into the
saddle, and heard the thump of the
hoofs close behind me. There was nc
time to be lost. Hastily / waved adieu
TO the two, spurred my horse across
the clearing, and down the path to-