Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-22

and, receiving this ON my forte, gave
him the point in the center of his
breastplate, making It ring like a bell.
Only Milanese corselet could have
saved him as it did. My nag went on.
but turned on its launches TO the reins,
and before he could well recover him
self / was at him again and discovered
that he wore demi-mask on his face.
Monsieur. shall | prick your mask
of before killing you." Knocked, suit
| ing the words 10 thrust that all but
effected the object, and ripped him on
| the cheek.
he was a good swordsman, but this
made him beside himself with passion,
and this frantic state and the sound Of
his voice as be kept cursing me, told
me that my opponent was none other
than Biron himself. Now came sss'.
GUS difficulty. which 1 had to consider
like lightning. Did kill him, and he
was an infant in my hands, there could
be no hope for me-he was too great
too highly placed for me to have any
chance If mpassed his death. There
fore as | pressed him. called out loud
enough for him to hear: Marshal, you
are mad; go back-you are known to
me-"
He thrust at me for answer, but !
could stand no more nonsense, and, get
ting within his guard. struck him of
his horse with blow from the hilt Of
my sword, and. wasting not second
more on him. turned 10 the assistance
of Nicholas.
II was much needed, for the SER
geant's opponent was none other than
de Gomeron himself. How Nicholas
held his own against this finished
swordsman for even so long a period
as half minute. am unable to say. II
was doubtless due to the strength of his
bitter hatred and bis fury for re-
venge. Even as il was | was too late.
As dashed towards him Nicholas fair
Iy screamed out:
Leave him to me.-he is-a-ahl"
he never finished. for de Gomeron
saw his chance, and passed his sword
through the sergeant's throat, and he
fell Imply from couronne. dead
man.
Before. however, the free lance could
recover himself, was on him, and
standing in my stirrups, cut at him with
The full swing of my sword. He
parried like lightning. but the force
of the blow beat down his guard,
and although my blade fell fiat
upon his steel cap, he. went down like
an OK.
Poor Nicholas was gonei knew that
thrust. and once received there was
nothing for il but masses for the soul.
A half-dozen troopers were not 200
yards away. and life lay on the other
side OF the Eure. ! went straight on,
and jumped my horse into the stream.
II was running high and deep, and as
fell into the water with splash and
hiss OF white foam around me, heard
another heavy plunge close to my shout
der. and in the glance | cast toward the
sound. saw hat it was the now riderless
Cmironne. who had followed her com
panion Of the night. To ease the horse.
/ slipped from the saddle and. hanging
on 10 The pommei. was towed along by
him as the good beast breasted the
stream brayely. The current set to-
ward the opposite bank, and the force
of II carried us down, il. seemed in
moment. fully so yards from the spot
where he had plunged in, to within a
few feet of the opposite shore. Here,
however. the river ran strong and swift
iy. the bank was high, and the horses
could make no Roadway. but kept drift
ing down. BY this time the troopers
had reached the scene of the fight and
| could hear them bowling with anger
as they gathered around their fallen
leaders. and. without head TO guide
them. hesitated what to do. each mo-
ment of delay giving me precious time,
and bringing me closer 10 shelving |
bank few yards TO the left. Not one
,f the troopers dared the stream. ana
they had apparently einptied their ar
quebuses after us in pursuit for none
tired. although they called to each |
other: SHOOT him down--shoot him
iown!"
Acouple OF men galloped down stream
4 little below me, and dismounting. be-
gan to load hurriedly, it being evidently
heir intention to pick me off as drift
ID past. For the moment gave myself
up for lost; but determining to. make
asst effort TO save myself, made aSsnatch
L the willows that overhung the bank,
md brushed us with their wet and drip
ling leaves. as we struggled underneath.
Us did this, loosed my hold of the
saddle, and the horses slid past me. and
was dragged by the current right into
he bank. The willows were tough, and
held on to them like leech, and the
roopers who had seen what ] was about
,egan to laugh al me, and adjured me
o hold on tight as they would be ready
o shoot 10 q moment. The foolsl They
ave me the moments time wanted,
md digging my foot into the soft bank,
laid hold of the stem of a willow and
With an effort reached the shore.
oiled over at full length, and then lay
laf on nv face. whilst the troopers