The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-05-09
NO.. 36.

SASANS ohA OElOLC L Adu LlllO " luluh
of it his sword had sliced the lower
part of my left cheek.
All the time not word was spoken.
not moments breathing space made
in the fighting. We eyed each other in
grim, deadly animosity, and, except
that there was a brighter gleam of
Vindictiveness and pleasure when he
wounded me, there was no change in
the fierce intensity and blood lust with
which his eyes held mine.
l saw that should be certainly kill
ed if kept on the defensive only. I
Should either be hacked to pieces grad
ually or grow too weak from loss of
blood to parry his more dangerous
blows. l changed, therefore, suddenly,
and, with something of the wildnem,
of a beast at bay when it scents death,
began to cut and thrust at him with
all the strength 1 could muster, pour
ing in my blows with such rapid vio-
lence that twice in as many minutes 1
broke down his guard and wounded
him.
We were both bleeding badly now,
and my antagonist was breathing very
heavily with the fatigue of the combat,
but my rage had laid hold of me now,
and, though L was cool and wary
enough outwardly, 1 fought with all
the fiery vehemence of desperation. My
greater strength soon told, and l raineG
in my blows with such staggering raa
pidity that he could scarcely fend them
off, and at that saw a look come into
his eyes which spoke of his conviction
that should beat him.
This girded me to still further exer-
tions. Now was my chance or never,
and minute later the end came. Max
ing rapid feint, put all my strength
into terrific stroke which he tried in
vain to parry. 1t crashed through his
guard and slashed into his sword arm
with such force as to nearly sever the
limb from the body. His sword went
Gathering to the ground and hung help
less by his side, the blood gushing out
in spurts that told Of a severed artery.
He gave himself up to death like
brave man and faced me calmly.
'To the death, sir!" he said, speaking
for the first time since the fight began.
'"To the devilw 1 answered. "Do you
take me for a butcher?"
He could stand no longer and sank
half fainting to the ground.
81 must bind up that arm or you'll
bleed to death before help can come"
mo, no! Fly, sir! he said, his voice
now weak. "You will be caught here,
and them
wasted no time in words; but, tear
ing a sash from his waist, managed
rough kind Of tourniquet and so stop
ped the rush of blood. AS was finish
ing heard steps approaching the barn.
He heard them too.
ely, fyY' he whispered.
Catching up my coat and sword, I
ran toward the door.
"D'Aguilar, D'Aguilar, are you therew
I recognized the majors voice, but
made no reply. The big. unwieldy door
swung back, and Major Montrey came
in. He saw me and put himself in my
path.
whats the meaning of this? You
can't passw he cried.
tofe COO, man, have a carer! 1
cried furiously. "Stand out Of my path
or I'll cut you down." But he stood his
ground and called for help.
In moment l was on him. Lifting
my sword on high and uttering a fear
full oath, | dropped my coat and rushed
at him.
"That mans wounded" 1 cried and,
catching up my coat, dashed out into
the dark. l ran almost straight into
the arms of the soldiers who were has
tening up in reply to the majors cry
for help.
''Who goes thereY they cried, and I
heard the ring of their carbines.
did rot stay to think, but flung my
self on the nearest and drove him with
all my might against his companion,
setting them all in confusion, and be-