The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
CHAPTER vI.-tContlnuedl


threw his reins to the nearest of the little
troop. Gentlemen" he said. I'VE must
proceed with this business without hurry
or buster or threats. Mr.. Rising will
perhaps threaten and buster We are
here to rescue lady and to punish viii
lain. Let both be done without appear
ance of wrath or revenge. Captain
Crowe do not dismount. I entreat you.
until the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is, as you see, apparently safe and I'M
hurt"
They obeyed
81 shall now measure swords with the
young gentleman who thinks that he can
carry off heiresses with impunity.
would advise you to advance a little clos
er to the house He must understand
that punishment awaits him, if not from
me, then from some other of this COM
pany."
Look at Tom" said one Of them. His
blood is up. He is now all for fighting.
He means mischief. if ever he has meant
mischief / remember at Swaffham when
he fought the young Squire of Heading
ley. That was about girl, too-a mere,
worthless drab of a tavern servant Tom
broke down his mans guard and ran him
through in half minute. wish we were
well out of this job.
Tom stood in the road. as have said,
his sword in hand, his hat lying on the
ground before him. If flaming checks and
eyes as fiery as those of a bull brought to
bay mean mischief then Toms intention
was murderous.
ITO thwart Tom in anything" the gen
tleman went on, lis dangerous: but to
take away his girl-and such girl-to
rob him of that great fortune just at the
moment of success. would madden the
mildest of men. He looks like mailman
Should one warn his lordshiD? And he
has got two chairmen with their poles in
readiness. We should ride in upon them
before they can do any mischief" So
they whispered.
Said Captain Crowle: XIII him, my
lord XIII the villain. Kill him.
Let me warn your lordship," said the
gentleman who had last spoken. His
method will be fierce attack. He will
try to break down your guard"
Il know that method" Lord Fylingdale
replied, coldly. Then he stepped forward
and took off his hat. Mr.. Rising" he
said. this affair might very weh be set
tied by two or three sailors or common
porters We are willing. however. to
treat you as a gentleman, which, sir, you
no longer deserve
Go on, go on" said Tom. Twill be
all the same in five minutes"
Il am therefore going to do you the
honor of fighting YOU
Il shall show you how l appreciate that
honor. Stop talking. man. and begin"
Il must. however, warn you that if you
are to fight as gentleman you must try
to behave as one for this occasion only.
Should you attempt any kind of treaehery
my friends will interfere. In that case
you viii certainly not leave the field
alive
What do you wan then?'
You must send away those two hulk
ing fellows behind you 1 am willing to
fight your lackeys with clubs"
Tom turned round Here. you fellows;
get off. Go and stand beside the chair.
Whatever happens. don't interfere. Well.
my lord, the sooner this event comes off
the better
He laid down his sword and took of
coat and waistcoat, turning up the sleeve
of his right arm. Then he turned to Mol
~ and slluted her. Mistress Molly he
said. with a grin, you are going to have
a very fine sight. Perhaps when it is
over you will be sorry for your shilly
shaIly-stand ofT-no, 1 won't fuss. You're
not worth carrying off. If I'd known
Now. my lord
Lord Fylingdale had also removed his
coat and waistcoat and now stood In his
shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. hatless.
Just at that moment the sun rose swift
ly, as is his manner in this fat country. 1t
was as II the earth had leaped into light
in order to give these swordsmen a clear
er view of each other They were
F.11.
pale and calm, his adversary bent as IL
with passion, grasping his sword with
eager hand.
He means mischief repeated the
gentlemen of the troop. Il would this
business was ended. l wonder if the no
BILE lord can fight. He does not look
afraid anyhow
He looks as if he could feel neither
fear nor anger nor love nor any passion
at all. lie is an iceberg. Ha, they are
beginning
They faced each other
The swords crossed Look TO your
self" cried Toni will split you like
pigeon"
lie stamped and banged. The thrust
was parted easily ard lightly. Tom
lunged again, and again with a slight
turn Of the wrist the thrust was parried,
but as yet Lord Fylingdale seemed to
stand on the defensive.
He knows how to fence" they whis-
pered. Sect He means to tire his adj
Versary. He parties everything. Tom
thrusIs like a mailman. Why, he ex-
poses himself at every lunge. See! He
has lost his head. One would think he
was fighting with an automaton who
could only parry
~
of the encounter-namely. the girl-who
had brought all this trouble upon Tom
Rising's head. She stood motionless.
hardly breathing. watching the duel as
they say the Roman women used TO
watch the fight Of the gladiators in an
atmphitheatre and as / have seen the
Spanish women watci, the men who
fought the bulls in their circus. / believe
that women, Ia spite OF their tender
hearts, are ca FRIED away out of them
selves. ny the sight Of mere fighting. IL |
Is n spectacle which they cannot choose !
but gaze upon. II shows the true nature |
OF man as opposed to that OF woman.
lie stands up and risks his life, trust !
ing sometimes to his skill. as In a duel |
with swords. and sometimes to chance,
as on a battlefield where the bullets are |
flying. Molly therefore watched the fight |
with cleaning eyes and parted lips. She |
was almost ready to forgive the man who |
had attempted this injury for the sake |
OF his courage. and she could not suffi- |
GENTLY admire his adversary for the cold |
and impasstVe way In which he met every !
furious attack. just with simple turn /
Of the wrist, as II seemed to her.
Tom was strong and lusty fellow, |
and he could fight after his fashion, |
which was with thrust upon thrust, fast |
and furious, as II reckless Of himself so /
that he could engage his adversary who'll |
ly In defence until he found a moment of |
He had fought many times and hither- |
20 always without a scratch or a wound |