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

sight now Send DeinetrluS mere I
and tell him TO bring hisround edged
swords"
Both the duke and Urzen stood
aghast az this new turn, but they
dared not interfere. for they saw
that their imperial master was all
excitement now to see trial Of skill
at that science which, above all 9TH
ers, he tried TO make his officers
learn. But then they had one hope
-Demetrius might overcome the
gunmaker so easily that Peter
should not see his real power.
Demetrius soon came, and under
his arm he carried the swords. They
were OF the common size, but with
round edges and points on purpose
for play. The master at arms was a
powerfully built man and possessed
a splendid form. He was a Greek
by birth and was now retained by
the emperor as teacher OF the
sword exercise.
"Demetrius, said Peter, 81 have
sent for YOU to entertain us with
show Of your skill Here is a man
about whose power there is some
dispute. Mind you, it is all in kind
ness. Rurc Newell, take your weap-
on"
The youth stepped forward and
extended his left hand for the
sword, and the right hand he ex-
tended for the other to grasp. 1t
was taken warmly, for the Greek
saw in an instant that he had no
Bile man to deal with. And those
two men were not much unlike in
form. Demetrius was an atom the
taller, but Ruric showed the more
muscle.
The night had come on, but the
great lamps were all lighted, and the
room was as bright as day
"Sir." said Ruric, addressing the
Greek, "this is none of my seeking,
though ! confess that for a long
while ] have longed to cross a play
full sword with you. play vel"
81 like YOU" the Greek returned
bluntly and kindly, "and il you beat
me will not like you less can at
ford to be beat once, seeing that
thus far have never been since first
! offered to fence"
"Come, come" cried Peter, who
was impatient for the entertain
ment, Tets see the opening. Now
stand aside, gentlemen"
Like twins stood those swords
men as their weapons crossed with
clear, sharp ciang The Crock lee
OF carefully, and Runc as CAREFUL,
warded every stroke. Then the for
|. mer assumed guard, and Ruric leg
of IN turn tre long tbc sword
! FLASHED With hprpet ring and sooi
sparks OF 8r flew out from "a
changing tca Louder and loudo
{ grow the cIang and quicker an
quicker tie trok lh
tllusts we're nude wth skill an
5 force. bui as SET neithcr had bee
! touchci
i The emperor was IN ecstasy IL
. clappcd his hands and shouted BRAY
{ with ali his might.
c By and by Rurc's eye grew NOR
intense ia its sparkling fire. His OF
y ponent saw il, but he could not te
i what il meant. The youth was abou
Q to risk the most daring feat Of all b
I knew. Steadily burned his eye, an
/ his lips were set like steel. AT lengt
o he saw that tho Greek was plaY1
for a thrust, and he lowers
; point. Demetrius saw the chanc
d and, driving his arm quickly bacl
n he made the thrust with all his pow
eY. He was sure now he had VOL
20 for there was no earthly way
which his point could be struck c
r Their down OF up. But seel With
gliding motion, a motion almost in
n perceptible, Ruric raises his swor
and the other slides along upon !
II side, and the other point, instead
touching his breast, is caught in Il
IS cross guard of his haft. Then, quiz
as lightning and with all his Nigh
A. Ruric bends his elbow downwal
with the whole weight of his mas
4 i've shoulder and throws his wri
le upward. On that instant the Gre
is sees and feels what meant tn
ne strange fire of the eye. He feels !
in point caught, but before he can clio
Dy his grasp more firmly the haft
wrenched from his hand II strik
err the vaulted ceiling with a dull clal
r. and, descending, is caught fairly
the hilt by Ruric Newell
10 For a moment all is still as dea
in that chamber Ruric IS the fl
cd TO break the silence He adyanc
81 TO the Greek, and az he hands ba
AR both the swords lie says