The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-12-13
CHAPTER V.

On the l0llOWlng morning hurlc
was up betimes, and at the break
fast table not a word of the one all
absorbing theme was uttered. After
the meal was finished the gunmaker
went out to his shop and took down
from one of the closets long leath-
ern case in which were two swords,
both of the same make and finish,
only different in size. They were
Toledo blades and of most exquisite
workmanship and finish. Ruric took
out the heaviest one, which was
two edged weapon with cross hilt
of heavily gilded metal. He placed
the point upon the floor, and then,
with all his might, he bent the blade
till the pommel touched the point.
The 1.-the steel sprang back to its
place with sharp clang, and the
texture was not started. Then he
struck the flat of the blade upon the
anvil with great force. The ring
was sharp and clear, and the weapon
remained unframed.
"By St. Michael, Paul, Moscow
does not contain another blade like
that. Damascus never saw bet
ter"
Thus spoke the gunmaker to his
boy as he balanced the beautiful
weapon in his hand.
81 think you are right, my mas
ter" the boy returned, who had be-
held the trial of the blade with un-
bounded admiration. But, he add
ed, "could you not temper a blade
like that?"
'TPerhaps if had the steel. But
/ have not. The steel of these two
blades came from India and was
originally in one weapon, ponder
Gus two handed affair belonging to
a Bengal cheftain. The metal pos
Sesses all the hardness of the finest
razor, with the elasticity of the
most subtle spring. My old master
at Toledo gave me these as a me-
mento. Were to mention the sum
Of money he was once offered for
the largest one you would hardly
credit it"
GLOW much" asked Paul, with a
boys curiosity.
at was d sum equal to about 700
ducats."
"And yet he gave it away"
"Aye, for its price was but imagi-
nary, while its worth to him was on
ly commensurate with the good il
did him. If he told the truth, he
loved me, and these he gave me as 6
parting gift as the best patterns
could wish for when making SUCH"
After this Riric put up the small
sword, and then he gave Paul few
directions about the work, promis
ing to be back before night, The
faithful boy shook his head dubious
ly as he heard this promise, but hi
said nothing, and shortly afterwarC
Ruric went into the house. Jus
then Alaric Orsa drove up to thu
door.
Ruric was all ready but putin!
on his bonnet and pelisse. Hi
mother was in the kitchen. H
went to her with smile upon hi
face. He put his arms about he
and drew her to his bosom.
"God bless you, my mother!
shall come back. lie said this ant
then kissed her
Good keep-ands-
1t was all she could say.
Ruric gazed a moment into he
face, then he kissed her again, ant
again he said;
"God bless you, my mother!
shall come back"
He dared not stop to speak more
Gently seating his fond mother up
on a chair, he turned and hurrie
from the place. In the hall h
threw on his pehsse and bonnet, an
then he opened the door and passe
out.
''Have you a good weapon?" ask
ed Orsa as the horse started on.
Il have a fair one. think it wi
not deceive me-" returned Ruric.
81 asked" continued Orsa, "bC
cause Damonoff prides himself upo
the weapon he wears. 1t is a Gee
man blade, and he thinks he can CT
in twain the blade of any othC
weapon in Moscow with it."
81 have a good weapon" Rur
said quietly, land one which h;
stood more tests than most sworC
Will bear" And after some furtnC
remarks he related the peculiar eli
cumstances attending the making {
the sword and his possession of it.
At length they struck upon ii
river, and in half an hour more the
reached the appointed spot. The ds
vas beautiful. The sun shone brigh
" upon the glistening snow, and Il
air was still and calm. The shal
frost of the atmosphere served on
10 brace the system up, and Rur