Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-01-05
The Unknown SWordsman
A Story From Russian History.


Njl99H<s** \ ssS7SK3eSfrSAeSS Observation-Disclosures
TN the days when Ivan the Terri
bic reigned over Russia, more
than 300 years ago, the Russian
town of Pskoff was besieged by Il
Polish army; for in those days Poland
was stronger than Russia, and no Pole
could then have believed that his
country would some day be a mere
province OF the Russian empire.
The Russian commnndant, Prince
Shuiski, was one of the bravcst men
living, and his soldiers were as brave
as himself, but it was plain to them all
that they could not hold out more than
u day or two longer, at the most.
Battle and sickness had thlnned
their numbers till there We're not men
enough left to man the ramparts; the
Cnemy's cannon had made several
wide breaches in the wall; food was
running short, and there was no sign
Of help from the outside, while the
King OF Poland himself, Stephen Ba-
thory, WAS coming up with a large
army to help the bcsicgers.
Then Shuiski called together his Off
GERS and the best OF his men-gaunt,
hollow-eyed, CHASTITY figures, the very
ghosts OF what they had been-and
said to them:
MY friends, we cannot hold this
town against another assault, and
these Polish rascals have sworn to
slaughter lis all, unless we surrender
to them us prisoners of war. Now, |
know that you would rather die than
let yourselves be made prisoners while
you can strike n blow; but there is
one chance for us yet. I'm going to
challenge the Polish general to fight
me In single combat. and IL win. to
let us pass freely back to our own
people, with our weapons and cur
standards. DO you agree to that?"
The officers looked blank, but it owl.
IDENTITY was their only chance, and they
knew Prince Shuiski to be one Of the
strongest men and best swordsmcn In
Russia, so they all agrt to his pro.
posal
"Then Ii, send the challenge at
once" said Shuiski, land get the thing
over before King Stephen comes up.
for they say he never spares 4 Russian
by any chance"
But when the Polish general received
the princes message he looked very
grave, for he had seen Shuiski fight,
and knew that he himself was no
match for him.
At last he said:
II will send my answer tomorrow"
"That means that he's going to re-
fuse my challenge, the cow0rdly
knave" growled Shuskl, when he was
told Of this; or else he wants to give
the king time to come up and destroy
us all. However, happen what will,
We'll die like Russians"
But apparently the prince was mis-.
taken. for early next morning Polish
herald came up to the gate aud an
nounced that the general was ready
for Shuiskl whenever Shulski was
ready for him.
Down came the prince in full armor,
| with his helmet barred so that no one
could see his face, while his men clus-
tered along the wall like bees to watch
the fight.
AS he entered the open space that
had been kept clear for the combat,
| tail figure in black armor inlaid with
gold, with Its helmet barred like his
! ct, I'd In
Site side to meet him.
Then there began such fight as the
Oldest soldier present had never seen.
| The two champions fell upon ench
other like tigers, showering blows the
lightest of which seemed able to cleave
a solid rock
Sparks and splinters of armor flew
In all directions. and the mighty
strokes echoed all around the field OF
fight us IL dozen blncksmiths were
at work there with hammer and anvil
At length Shulski happened to STUN
bic. and his enemy, springing forward.
struck ut him with such force that the
sword. just missing his head, cut sheer
through the plate of steel that guard
ed his shoulder, and came back slight
~ tngcd with blood.
The Poles raised Il shout of triumph,
but they were cxulting too soon.
Reused by their shouts to stronger
efforts. Shuiski gathered nll his
strength and dealt his opponent so ter
rible stroke upon the helmet that the
metal cracked like glass, and fell in
shivcrs to the ground. disclosing. to
every one amaZcment, not the coarse,
red visage and gray beard Of the Po-
lish general, but the face of hand
some young man, with long black
mustnchc. and an eye as keen and
bright rs M eagles.
liking Stephen Bathory Of Polandw
/ shouted hundred voices ut once.
1t was. indeed. the daring young
king. who had come up just in time to
accept the challenge that the general
was about to refuse. and to fight in
his stead.
Shulski stood motionless with aston.
ishment for an instant, and then. un.
fastening his own helmet. placed II on
! the kings bare head, AMI raising his
sword said quietly:
defend yourself, Your Majesty"
"Not IT, cried Bathory. frankly,
throwing down his weapon and grasp.
| Ing the gallant Russian'S hand, II