The Holly chieftain., 1899-03-03
CHATTER vII.-cosrrsUEp.

CHAPTER VII.-CoSTISUED.
He was a good swordsman. but this
made him beside himself with passion.
and this frantic state and the sound of
his voice as he kept cursing me, told
me that my opponent was none other
than Biron himself. Now came seri-
GUS difficulty. which 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 compassed his death. There
fore as ] pressed him. called out loud
enough for him TO hear: Marshal. you
are mad: go baek-you are known to
me-"
He thrust me for answer. but /
could stand no Lore nonsense. and, get
ting within his guard, struck him off
his horse with blow from the hilt of
my sword. anu, wasting not second
more on him, turned to 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 his fury for re-
venge. Even as II was was too late.
As dashed towards him Nicholas fair
ly screamed out:
Leave him to me-he is-a--ah!"
He never finished. for de Gomeron
through the sergeant's throat, and he
fell Imply from Couronne. a dead
man.
Before, however, the free lance could
recover himself, l 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 gone! Iknew that
thrust, and once received there was
nothing for 1t but masses for the soul
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
1t was running high and deep. and as
fell into the water with a splash and
another heavy plunge close to my shoul-
der. and in the glance ] cast toward the
sound, saw that 1t was the now riderless
Couronne. who had followed her COM
panion of the night. To ease the horse.
slipped from the saddle and. hanging
on to the pommel, was towed along by
him as the good beast breasted the
stream bravely. The current set to-
ward the opposite bank. and the force
of it carried us down, it 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
ly, the bank was high. and the horses
could make no headway. 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. hesitnted what to do. each mo-
ment of delay giving me precious time,
and bringing me closer to shelving
bank few yards to the left. Not one
Of the troopers dared the stream, and
they had apparently emptied their ar
auebuses after us in pursuit, for none
fred. although they called to each
other: Shoot him down-shoot him
down."
Aconple Of men galloped down stream
a little below me. and dismounting. be-
gan to load hnrriedly. it being evidently
their intention 10 pick me off ns drift
ed past. For the moment ] gave myself
I'D for lost. but determining TO make a
last effort toIxave myself. made snatch
at the Willows that overhung the bank.
and brushed Us with their wet and drip
ming leaves. a we struggled underneath.
Asl did this. loosel my hold of the
saddle. andsfbe horses slid past me. and
was dragged hy the current right into
the bank. ne willows were tough. and
held ON 10 them like a leech. and the
troopers whohnd seen what | was about
began to I1jqRh nt me. and ndjured me
| TO hold on dSkt ns they would Be rendy
49, L. tr~lsf Qha, I,