The Holly chieftain., 1902-04-04
CHArrER III.
At aWORDS, POINTS

AT SWORDS fOiNTS.
When Karl came with carriage
for his friend at an unearthly hour in
the morning he found the American
composed and smiling. a. though bent
upon a holiday. A light breakfast
was eaten. Then they drove away
just a. the first rosy flush Of dawn
appeared In the east.
When they reached the court yard
Of the Hirschagasse Karl noticed
that an unusual number had turned
out this morning. Nor was he ignor-
ant of the cause, since it must have
gone abroad that the new student, the
American protege of the Rhine Korps,
was about to take his chance before
the invincible Saxo-Prussian leader.
Half . dozen affairs were ON tho
carpet for this particular morning, 80
that Paul might have something OF an
opportunity to watch the others for
points ere his turn came, he being
the last. As football is to American
and English college boys, SO dueling is
the height of ambition on the Teuton's
part
Rhinelander eagerly watched the
solemn details of the affairs that came
of before his own, s.nce 1t was his de-
sire to profit by the experience.
He saw Hoffman eyeing him hun
grily, as a wolf might lamb, and
knew the chief OF the valiant Saxo-
Prussian Korps was anxious to get at
him, yet Paul had not the slightest
fear as to the outcome, and even de-
cided in his mind just how he would
slash the other on the left cheek 30
as to mar his exceedingly handsome
countenance.
When the time came for him to
enter the arena he felt as fierce and
remorseless as the panther that
crouches In tree over spring and
waits for thirsty deer.
At last he was to taste the sweets Of
revenge.
To strike, and in the name of his
dishonored and heart-broken father
this was q consummation devoutly to
be wished. s
SO he walked forward. supported by
Karl, another student and the doctor,
an Englishman. who had come to as
sist one Of the regulars.
BE wary! never saw such an
evil look on Conrad's face" whispered
anxious Karl.
Rhinelander was to all appearances
AZ cool as the most solid native In
the den; as he received and tested his
sword not nerve seemed to tremble,
and those among the Rhine Korps
whose fears had been great because
they had one and all gone down in
turn before that wizard blade Of the
Prussian began again to take fresh
courage under the belief that possibly
a miracle had been wrought in their
behalf and champion discovered by
their chief before whom the proud
banner Of their gloating rivals might
be trailed in the dust.
OF course Paul. as foreigner, could
not become Burschen. or full-hedged
korps student, but he fought under
their colors, and each man took as
much interest in him as though he had
been initiated into the most mystert-
ous rituals Of their secret order.
The hall was almost packed when
Hoffman's turn came. an unusual
thing. by the way. and which he took
~ . great compliment to himself,
judging from the smirk upon his
face a. he waved his hand to enthusi-
astic admirers in the audience.
Herr Hoffman seemed very gay.
Scores Of eyes surveyed him With
hatred and venom, and should defeat
come his way all conventionalities
would be brushed aside in doing the
victor honor.
II ever those sturdy students prayed,
1t was that the god Of war would favor
the champion Of their cause and hum
BILE the pride Of the vainglorious Prus-
sian.
When all preliminaries had been
gone through with the rapiers came
together with clash that announced
the opening Of the duel.
.Hoffman's style was already we'll
known to every man. who had learned
to his sorrow how banning an attack
he put mp.
Hence their attention was directed
toward his opponent. and every mo-
tion Paul made was eagerly scrutinix-
ed by experienced eyes.
When several brief rounds had been
fought, during which he met Hon-
mans attacks with An ease that aston