The Yale expositor., 1902-01-24
"Hochl The Amerlcan!"


OF the principals necessitated by their
armament. and both men handled
their rapiers In fierce and guard with
a cleverness that would have brought
out cheers from an American audience
to make the very rafters ring. while
three score OF Germans sat or stood
around. watching every move. with
grim silence that was only broken by
the clash OF steel upon steel, or the
sharp cries OF the umpire directing
the affair.
Those lights had never shone upon
a more gallant fight. and each student
Rugged himself with delight because
fortune had been kind enough TO
make him n witness 20 II.
Those most experienced in such
matters saw. however. that when ten
minutes OF this terrific work had pass
ed by with but a few slight cuts on
either side. Hoffman was gathering his
forces and preparing TO end the duel
with one OF his hitherto invincible
tactics. and they trembled for the
brave American.
~ fNhli uullhk
interval between the bouts. Paul only
gave a short laugh and assured his
second he was but playing with his op-
ponent.
Again the rivals faced, but this time
Paul was in deadly earnest. and amid
a clash OF steel II was seen that Hoff-
mans face was covered with blood.
Then the sonorous voice OF the UNI
pire was heard calling halt while
the surgeons aseertained Just how
serious the Prussian's wound might be.
Hoffman seemed 20 be wildly pleading
with him TO toll the battle 10 go on
II was his first defeat and unusually
bltter-but the doctor, realizing the
gravity OF the wound. was memorable.
"Abfuhr!" he called out. signifying
that the Prussian should be allowed TO
fight 10 more.
The umpire repeated the word. and
in a loud voice declared the result In
the stereotyped phrase:
"Saxo-Prussian Is led away"
Then something occurred that had.
perchance. never been heard upon n
similar cccasion-the glorious result,
the signal downfall OF the proud duel
list who had lorded Il over them 80
long. was too much for the students
TO witness without giving relief "a
their pent-up feelings.
"Hoch. hooh. hoch the American!"
they shouted. And "hoch. hoch, hoch'
81 was while they bore Rhinelander
bloody as he was. into the ante-room
10 resume his street dress.
Paul had received n few slight
scratches. but fortune had been very
kind TO him In this respect, for none
OF them were more than bagatellcs.
AS he. dressed again for the street
was about TO break away from the al.
miring groups that surrounded him, hS
saw tall figure pressing through the
throng and recognized the Englishmar
who had been assisting the surgeon
who attended his bout. His eyes. blue
as the summer skies. beamed with good
psture, and Paul was drawn TO him un
consciously.
Then. too. the lmpulsive clasp OF hll
hand. how hearty IL was after almos
formal congratulations OF the Ger
mansl Wei. blood seems thicker thar
water, after all, and tho day is surely
coming when these cousins may stant
shoulder TO shoulder for peace
throughout the whole world.
"a thousand congratulations. m!
dear boy. IL was beautifully done
and ! am proud 10 have been a wit
ness TO your victory. ! hope we maj
meet again. Sir Noel Trayers is M
name, and am probing into the col
leges and hospitals OF our Germai
cousins"
Paul was dragged away by his com
rades at this juncture. but he had
singular premonition that no woul
run across this big. frank Briton agai
at some uncertain future date.
To Pauls lodgings they rode. Tn
day passed as had others. but Paul dis
covered what he had not known befor,
that he had many warm friends In IN
university.
And, OF course. he was by courtes
compelled to accept their invitatio
20 be guest OF honor at the gran
meeting in the Kneipe or korps drink
ing all that night. where the famou
salamander with It's chorus and pound
ing Of empty beakers on the tabl
opened and closed the festivities.
stu he was glad when the end cam
and he could leave the hail withoI
giving offense, for other matters OF
more personal nature demanded his a
tention.
One OF the objects that had brougl
him 20 Europe-to Gormany-gaN
promise Of being attained.
lie had seen the one he sought. n
sister who had for so many years bee
lost 10 him.
How the memory OF her thrilled hir
and what agony swept through h
mind as he remembered In who'
company he had seen her.
The name OF Hoffman. what n cur
~ had been 90 his father. Was u
son fated 10 perpetuate his sires Il