The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-07-27

heard. He even went so far as 70 4
swear that the count had tried re-
peatedly TO compromise matters aft
er the conflict had begun, that he
begged of Newell to give up the bat
tie, but that the latter, thirsting for I
the young nobleman's blood, kept I
holly, madly at it.
Ii was az this juncture and with
out referring to the surgeon that
/ the emperor sent for Rurlc, and,
having learned that a lieutenant of (
the Khitagorod guard was present
at the duel, he sent for him also.
Orsa arrived first and was present
when Ruric came.
And now Ruric Neyel stood be
fore his emperor. Peter gazed upon
him for some moments, and then he
said:
"Sir, thy bearing is bold
"Why should it not be, sire, when
stand before one whom | honor
and respect and do not fear 50
spoke Ruric calmly and with pecul-
lar dignity.
"Not fear2" repeated the auto
crat sternly
'No, sire. Peter of Russia IS not
man to be feared by those who love
and honor him."
'1nsolencew uttered the duke.
The emperor looked up into his
face, and he added:
"Now, sire, you can see for your
self some Of his traits Of character"
"Aye," returned Peter, 81 see.
They are wonderful. | knew not
that among my artisans there were
men Of such holiness"
The duke knew not how TO in
terpret this, and he moved back q
, pace.
Nov, sir" resumed Peter, turn
ing to the gunmaker, "how dared
You strike Russian nobleman 7"
81 did not, sire. Conrad Damonoff
came TO my shop, and no brought
a me a paper in which / was required
or ordered TO relinquish all claims
to the hand off,
Z "Sire," interposed the duke, she
misstates-
. Never mind" broke in the en-
! peror, with an authoritative wave OF
the hand, eve will hear nothing
about the lady here. Why did you
strike the count r.
] because, sire, he descended from
his station and struck me. liz
threw away the shield which should
) protect the nobleman and STRUCK
4 me without provocation.
"And then you knocked hin
j DOWN."
Il did. sire"
4 "And perhaps you would haN
= done the same to me.
Sire, answered the youth quick
j III, when Damonoif tried by threat
70 make me sign his paper | toll
! him there was but one man 81
earth at whose order ! would d
. that thing. The man who has IN
: right to command shall never hay
II occasion to strike me"
There was something in this repl
and more in the tone and bearing 0
him who spoke it that made tn
\ duke tremble. He saw plainly tina
4 the emperor's eyes sparkled with ad
"a miration as they rested upon tn
= gunmaker.
~But now about this duel" re
- sumed the emperor. How dare
: you take advantage Of the count i
~ tho conflict ?"
- advantage, dire" repeated tn
"A youth in surprise.
10 FAYE. Did he not Stephen u
~ renY
bo 'Hc did, SIRE" replied the ma
"a thus addressed.
!, "And which Of the two do you ca
- the best swordsman ?" Peter asked.
- "Why, sir, the count is or WI
n vastly his superior
20 "And what say you, sir heutel
40 ant ?"
in Alaric trembled, for this was a
,ot dressed to him. He knew that u
no duke was anxious to crush h
friend, and he feared to draw Il
rm wrath Of that powerful noblemi
NO down upon his head. But hap
Ca thought came TO his aid.
nd "Sire," he said, 81 would rath
as you would judge of that for you
,ry self"
IN "Me judge2 And how am | to
ON that?D
e. "Iet Ruric Novels skill be tri
AN here before you. If mistake ~
bis you have some good swordsmen ne
,an your palace. There is Demetrius, 7
Greek"
"What my master at arms *
NJ eYe s. sire.