The Washington times., 1902-05-18
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd. Mead q Co.

d went at him with every thrust and strok
S | Knew. beating his rapier till the room
!. sang with the blows. But I could no
= touch him. He was a marvellous goo,
hand. and no mistake; for he gave groun,
: till had him with his foot at the othel
} wall but not once did I get inside hi.
guard.
Keep you- hounds In their place"
cried between my fist-coming breath: for
the men. whether from interest or with
} some foul design, nad gathered closer to
us.
Stand of you foolsi" he cried in an
swer. do you not see have him pinked
already? Look ye at that-and that-and
that! And he broke away from the wall
and pressed me as I had never been
pressed before, nor wish to be again.
Once he touched me above the wrist. and
| could feel the warm blood running down
into my sword hand. This was no coun-
try lout, In good earnest, and knew then
that had to do with some British officer
without his uniform.
Another stifed cry came from the di-
rection of the fireplace. sounding clear
IN the silent room, and a smiles playe
over the mans mouth as he muttsred.
Now one for the Kingi" A.l,1oa
a little away from me. stood my ground
and let him go. And as / took a breath
or two to catch my wind, and bruu11aA
left hand across my eyes to HfH0
the sweat. cried at him out aktAa
terness OF my heart:
Damn You and your king. for villaindA>
knaves Come, are ye afraid. that ~
| draw away?"
| Before I had well finished look came
| into his eyes as he stopped, and then.
with only the thought Of saving myself
from a thrust did not know. jumped
to the right and thrust my sword straight
out at him.
He had not counted on the quarts he
had drunk and the STOPPING posture must
have affected his balance. for he lungsd
beyond his power to recover, and as he
half fell, half thrust by me, his blade
went through the tail of my coat. and my
own passed clean through the top OF his
left shoulder.
ow- l. went. arr ~ my sword v''h
him, and howl set up from the men.
"a foul blow, A foul blowi' they cried,
and / had but time to pull my rapier
away when they were upon me. The frst
to come caught my fist on his nose and
rolled away with a groan of pain, but in
an instant the others had me down.
Twas a wretched scramble OF a fight. one
against four. and l kicked and struck out
and cursed them all for towards. when on
a sudden the officers voice sounded high
above the others, and with his one good
arm and the iavern-ke keepers assistancs he
pulled the crowd OFF
jumped to my feet daezed and nearly
mad with anger. to receive a rap on my
shoulder from the fiat of his sword.
You've not finished with me, my friend,
Have ye had enough?''
'I? You British spy! I had enough.
I'll send your poor soul to hell before I've
had enough!"
"Good," said he. Good, 'Tis proper
spirit! But hell waits for others than me
tonight and he was at me again with
the blood running down the soaked sleeve
Of his left arm. that swung aimlessly at
his side. The man was game beyond
doubt, and a strange respect for him crept
over nc. cooling my brain and giving me
a sight Of what / must do to save my
own life.
Again he beat into my guard Again
he pushed Inc to the wall But I was
cooling down and he could not stand the
terrible strain. II / could but hold him
nj lie frip
strength before mine began to fail, and
with that new heart came to me and |
smiled on him as he worked to touch me-
That. and the knowledge of his failing
strength. goaded him In tender spot, and
lie lost his temper and his easy air. l
'ould hear him mutter soft curse now
Ind then. and the cool smile was gone.
Then I tried again a lodging thrust that
lad met wall of cold steel earlier in the
ight
Waiting till he prepared u thrust OF Lis
wn, l parried with a too waving motion,
nd swung my blade far out to the right.
lie saw the lost guard at once but saw
90 late how drew in my arm and turned
he point to his breast. l dropped on both
nees as his rapier passed close by my
cad and he literally spitted himself on
nine. falling heavily on me without
ound.
knowing what would come. rolled him
yer, and, jumping up drew both pistols
nd stood looking about the room. which.
trough my blurred eyes, showed me what
aemed to be hundred faces.
THE next will die sooner" I cried.
Which shall it be? Which shall IL be?
ill We not come. none of you? Ah!"
And then. seeing some rushing toward
e. leveled the pistol straight at his
cad. raising my eyebrows to get clearer
ok. when. God help me, had like to
ave shot the girl!
You are hurt said she softly.
Where? Where is ii? and. looking up
me with eyes that were filled with
ars. she took my right wrist and turned
,ck the sleeve. Twas but a scratch, but
S point had touched vein and let out
deal of blood, and 1 saw her sway at
lie sight.
Have care said quickly; "they are
'ming;" but she stirred not step, and
'oceeded to wipe away the blood from
y arm. And then. growing cooler.
w the tavern-keeper warily stepping
rward. bowling and apoligizing and keep
& sharp watch on my two pistols.
e 'Tis over. sir. The men here will not
'eak their word'-a fine thing was their
ord. to be sure-'but the gentleman is
ing. sir
For the first tine | looked at him He