The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-25
BY.
HAMBLEN SEARS

| 10 ma ner looklnB up DIT me Will ullulS-
guised fright in her eyes.
Keep close by the fire." said l quickly;
there is naught to fear"-though there
was enough and to spare. For what
might happen when had settled this one
I could not tell
A strange little smile passed over her
face at what 1 had said, and then, she
| answered.
Il will But can You fght?'
Now l do not know why it should but
It did. cut me to have such "A question
| flung at me as | was on the point of going
into a struggle that she alone had brought
upon me, 1t might have seemed that she
could think of some one but herself at
such moment; but. as have said. do
not understand the working of a womans
mind. So that. whatever l may have
| thought. l only said.
I'VE shall soon see, mistress and for
your sake, at least, can but try"
She looked straight into my face again.
| for a moment, and then mQVcd over to
the fireplace without a word
1 Now then, sir. are you ready?" asked
my man, and ! answering by moving into
the middle of the now cleared room
| liked 1t not in any way. The lights were
| bad. AT best twas fog, and a man can
not be blamed for wishing good light to
watch his enemys eye. To one side Of
the room | could see five thevish-lo looking
knaves standing together, and what /
might expect of them at any moment
could not be Guessed.
Then. too, good swordsman. as | was
AND tbs no conceit that makes me say
say So, for had three years of work by
day and night. and half a dozen before
them Of constant practice with my father,
Capt Baltfort of the Indian wars-but.
good swordsman as l might be. no fight
Is a surety, and knew nothing of my
antagonist, excepting that he was partly
under the influence of liquor If | fell
what might not become of the girl what
might not the papers In my boot mean to
him. and those to whom he belonged And
II soon appeared to whom he belonged,
TOT ne crossed my sword at once saving:
And now for myself and for the KING
watch out you bastard for l am the best
of men to play with this toolp'
ANA, indeed, he was a master hand
could tell at the first thrust that he was
better than 1, and had he been. empty of
hquor' this tale and my own life had
ended there and then in that dirty room.
ne was inside my guard dozen times
IN the f1rst two minutes, as we circled
around each other playing constantly for
the light of single lantern that hung
over the outer door,
| sui, L was growing caimer and had
| begun to gauge him better when he slim
ped over my thrust and ripped the Shout
uer or my coat with a sudden and true
stroke' men, on the instant / heard a
stlileu cry; and glancing by his head.
saw the girl standing by the fire leaning
forward. her hands nervously clasned TO-
gether at her throat, her hood down unon
her shoulders, and a look of terror in her
eyes. '0-
All sad the wretch, my lady whim
pers' does she? Fear not, I'll give her
comfort when thou hast gone to hell"
twas a spur that made me mad to
think on, realizing as l did that he had
| ali out done for me that moment and 7
Went at him with every thrust and stroke
l knew beating his rapier till the room
sang with the blows But [ could NOT
touch him. He was a marvellous good
| hand, and no mistake; for he gave mo
| ground till had him with his foot at the
other wall put not once did l get inside
his guard.
Keep your hounds in their place"
cried between my fast-coming breath
for the men, whether from interest ~,
with some foul design, had gathered
| closer in to u.s.
stand off, you fools.' he cried in an
sWer' DO We not see | have him pinked
already? Look ye at that-and that
ana that! And he broke away from the
I val anu press u me as had never been
pressed before, nor wish to he again
once he touched me above the wrist and
could feel the warm blood running down
into my sword hand. This was no conn
| try lout, in good earnest and [ knew tber
lhat had to do wi some British officer
| without his uniform
Another stifled cry came from tho a.
rection or the fireplace, sounding clear in
me shent room, and smile played over
the man mouth as he muttered:
Now one for the King!" And he drew
a little away from me. l stood nv,
ground and let him 60 And as I took a
pIeath or TWO to catch my wind. and
prushed my left hand across nv ewes tn
wipe away the sweat, l cried at him ort
| oil the bitterness of my heart;
Damn YOU and your King, for villain
Jus NhaVes! Come, are We afraid that
| We draw away?
before mad we'll finished a lool< came
! mo MS eyes as he stopped and then
/ with only the thought of saving mvself
/ from thrust l did not know. I iu,nnad
/ To the right and thrust my sword straiebt
! at him. ''t NJ
ne mad not counted on the quartz he
hau drunk, and the stopping posture must
! nave affected his balance; for he unged
/ icy oliu ms power to recover, and as he
| lell' half thrust at me, his blade u,ant
through the tail of my coat. and nv, o's
| passed clean through the ton of HE Ioft
| shoulder. ms ieAI
Down he went, carrying my sword with
MN ana howl set up from the men.
"A foul blow. A foul blow" Tb.,,
cried and | had but time to null NV ro,
! per away when they We're upon me Tba
( llrst TO come caught my fist unon bis
Ilose ana rolled away with a groan of
! pam out In an instant the Others had mo
/ uoWh' twas wretched scramble ne q
Hght' one against four. and kicked ana
struck out and cursed them All for oo-,,
Gus. "hen on sudden the officers
voice sounde high above the Others and
with his one good arm and the tavern
off. p-eN 'ie crowd
Jumped to my feet dazed and nearly,
mao with anger to receive a tan on M,
shoulder from the fiat of his sword
feVe not finished with me- nv friendr
Have We had enough?"
You British spyi 1 had enouqho
IL SEND your poor soul to hell before Eve
| had enough!' We
Good! said he. Good, TITS q nrorer
| spirit! But hell waits for Others tbsr p,a
tonlght; and he was at me again with
the piood running down the soaked sleeve
on ms lett arm, that swung aimlesslv al
MS size. The man was game bevond
DOUBT, and strange respect for him
crept over me, cooling my brain and giv-
ing ME sight of what l must do 10 save
my own. ''''e
Again he beat into NV guard A,o, l.,