The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-12

On his part, the American ADMITS
that never has he met one who could
WELD the blade with such power and
skill as this Russian duellist. He is
kept busy repelling attacks, and when
he finds an opportunity to make a
lunge on his own account it is met and
parried by the clever work Of the bar
on.
Mr.. Grimes looks on and smiles; he
thinks he can afford to- knowing we'll
what a surprise will yet come upon
the Russian. AS for the French cap
tain, he rubs his hands together in
great glee; such a spectacle as this ap-
peals to everything that is martial in
his composition. He forgets that two
men are battling for life, and only
sees the marvellous skill brought to
bear in manipulating the swords. All
the while fervid exclamations escape
him, as if he cannot keep his feelings
under control; he is like kettle Of
boiling water-when the heat reaches
a certain stage he bubbles over.
"Sacre! Look at that lunge! Mag
inefficient! And the return? Char
mant! 1t is worth losing a nights
sleep to gaze upon such lovely play.
Mon ami, observe the blades kiss and
twine about each other. My friend
has met a noble adversary. Mon Dieu!
Such coolness, such wonderful arms,
I have not seen in all my life. I am
proud to say Americans are the friends
of the French. But it is one great
pity-he must 60 down. The baron
tires them all out-his arm is made of
steel. I trust it will only be q flesh
wound. Parbleu! I should hate to
see that brave man die"
Thus he mutters and exclaims in
starts, as he watches the fierce en-
gagement. Mr.. Grimes hears him. Mr..
Grimes does not share his apprehen-
sion one iota. He simply utters in the
Frenchman's ear the one word:
"Waitv'
Meanwhile the second bout between
the two men has proven as fruitless
as the first. AS if through mutual
consent they spring back to recover
themselves.
"Timew says the Frenchman.
They rest upon their swords, and
during this brief interval keen eyes
are upon them. The French captain
contrasts the two. He has declared
that the baron, in the past, has won
more than one victory because Of his
wonderful endurance, which has en-
abled him to wear his antagonist out.
To his surprise, he now discovers that
the Russian has put forth such tre-
mendous force in the attempt to beat
down Joe's guard. that he shows more
signs of exhaustion than his antagon-
ist.
What does Mynheer Joe do, as If to
show his contempt for the man against
whom he is pitted, but take a cigar
and place it, unlighted, between his
teeth.
The baron's eyes flash lightnings
when he sees this act. He realizes
that the mistake of his life has come
upon him. When Mynheer Joe en-
tered Cairo the Russians star began
to decline. 1t is now going down
with a rush.
Ready" he cries, raising his sword.
The American meets him half way,
and for the third time the weapons
clash together. Now the baron ex-
hausts his repetory Of curious strokes
and tricks, hoping to discover some
weak point about the others defense.
In this he signally fails.
AS yet he has felt no twinge of fear,
trusting in his own skill to defend
himself. If it comes to the worst, the
duel can be called a draw, and he
sucks consolation out of that fact,
while not omitting to keep a close
watch for the opening he still hopes
to discover.
A new phase in the duel is about to
take place, what Mr.. Grimes has been
so anXiously awaiting. He wonders
why Mynheer Joe delays so long. and
can only lay it to that strange feeling
of fine humor which causes q cat to
play with q mouse.
1t comes at last.
Joe springs back q pace, passes his
sword from his right hand to his left.
and is at the Russian like tiger. His
trenchant blade flashes before the
baron's eyes, and a cry Of wonder
and dismay is forced from the latter's
lips, when he realizes a new arm is
matched against his wearied one; that
the marvellous attack must now he
met in a different manner than be-
fore, since it proceeds from the left
shoulder.
Mr.. Grimes hears a groan beside
him. 1t is the French officer, who
realizes that the day is lost to his
cause
The baron is game. He battles des.
perately to save himself. Mr.. Grimes
notes the sallow hue that has crept
over the mans face, and he knows
the duel is already decided. For the
first time perhaps in his life, the Rus
sian feels the cold clutch of fear Mt
his heart. Once n man allows this
feeling to come over him in duel, his
chances are gone. At the same time.
over-con6dence is just about as fatal
to success. The only safe course is
line between, cautious and wide
awake. ready to do his best and leave
the rest.