Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-08-06
CHAPTER ~.
I FIGHT FOR NY LIRE.

He threw down his doublet and I
stripped off my riding coat. He placed
hlmself In position and liourishad his
heavy sword about his head as If wav-
ing a bullrush.
In height and reach we were fairly
matched, and, as our swords clashed
together, forgot his mean appear
ance. and whether he were entitled to
the honors OF the duel, and only tasted
!he keen joy of the play, offense and
defense. of the two shining points.
I crossed swords with the intention
of disarming my opponent as soon as
possible. but tn moment my easy
confidence banished. Ragged shirt and
leathern breeches Notwithstanding,
had met With master of fence. At
the outset tried upon him a pass
which had never failed me. He knew
the only possible rcturn and played It
perfectly, and barely saved my wrist.
My confidence. as l have said. van
ashed In one minute. In two. was
strictly on the defensive. In three, i
was fighting for my life.
Come" said he, holding me at dis
lance easily. and speaking In a quiet,
pleasant tone: Come, now, give me
you shall go without any danger"
For the last dozen passes / had been
on the defensive. hut. as he dropped
back on making this Offer rushed on
him and attempted to burst through
his guard at all hazards. That the
trick was a mad one. I knew well
enough. but 1t was the only one left
me.
I sent him back full yard before he
regained his command of the play, and
then he set hts teeth, and with wild
yell drove at me In deadly earnest.
Once, twice. I turned aside, the darting
steel, but 1t was as much as 1 could do
to answer those swift, dreadful thrusts.
He was my master and the best man,
sure enough. I knew 1t now, but to
confess 1T was another matter, and
fought doggedly on, my only object be-
ing to stave off the Inevitable end as
long as possible
Suddenly, the clatter of flying clogs
broke out on our left. 1t was some one
running swiftly down the stony road,
but had neither the time nor inclina-
ton to turn my head. We had first
crossed swords on level patch few
yards from bank, the crest Of which
sloped on upward, but we had now
worked close in and in another moment
my hostess appeared on the rise above
us.
Without checking herself, she leaped
upon my opponent from above, drop
ping squarely upon his shoulders, and
Instantly winding her bare, powerful
arms about his neck. Under her weight
and the impetus of her flying leap,
striking him as she did like stone
from catapult, my enemy had no
chance at ALL
rolled In tangle at my feet. For my
part, slapped my sword home and
placed my hands behind me- Amid a
fearful clatter of tongues from both
of the fallen, he sprang to his feet and
scrambled round for the sword which
had flown from his hand.
Come again." he cried, menacing me
with the weapon, 'or perhaps you have
had enough"
Why, as to that" returned I, "if ]
had been inclined to take advantage of
chances, you would have had much
more than enough"
1T ISIS very true" he Joined, drop
ping his point, you could have done
me much mischief when / wass on
the ground. What iss on this woman? p
The woman had never ceased TO ply
her tongue busily, and now something
she said drew his fixed attention.
returned at once to the house, for
was shivering bitterly. was still far
from comfortably dry. and the chill
i put on my coat and drew my seat
still nearer to the glowing turf.
I'm short time my antagonist and
tie woman came in.
We'll, well,' he cried. spreading out
his hands; yes, she ISIS right The
woman iss right. She is thinking of
what you have done for the little boy,
and 1t iss natural that she should have
for you strong and tender feeling. If
had known that before, l should
never say bad words to YOU and try for
cGaleel. Oh, no, never at ALL"
Say no more" said 1; '.alrs well
that ends well."
My hostess came and patted my
shoulder, and / pressed her hand. We
could not talk together, but for all that
we were at no loss to come to an UNI
Outstanding. She now heaped on fresh
auel, light, woody turf, which caught
instantly and threw up leaping blue
flames. and the good. pleasant warmth
ran through my blood like a cordial.
My antagonist seated himself and fell
into reverle, bWoding over his side of
the fire. The woman swung over it q
huge iron pot half full of water, and
began very slowly to pour in oatmeal.
stirring all the while. and for time
there was silence. Then he looked up.
Yes" said he the love of the
mother for the child, 1t ISIS the strong
est of them all. l have just been try
ing to remember some verses / have
made upon that subject.
So he makes verses, does he, thought
this unkempt, tattered fellow, whose
swordplay is so dreadful, and l eyed
him with wonder and curiosity, know
ing then but little OF the Welsh
He remained silent for moment
stroking his beard, and then began to
recite. Understanding none of the
words. observed the more exactly the
musical flow Of his low, mellow voice
His speech was of q truth rhythmic
It flowed and flowed as smoothly as a
slow river over sand, with barely a
trace of the harsh gutturaLs SO prom
inent in their conversations.
My hostess stirred her porridge slow
er and slower and then stopped, wood
en- spoon in hand, and listened, he,
face set In rapt attention toward the
speaker That his subject was a NOV
ing one, Judged by his low, pathetic
utterance and the tender pity which
shone in the bright dark eyes of the
listening woman. His voice died away
softly and she sighed and returned to
her porridge.
"The verses" said he to me. are
upon the death of little boy, chile
to my sister. She had only the one
and was much troubled to lose him; sc
made the song to comfort her. In
Decd now, she knows it better than
do. l am saying In 1t that she would
rather hear hts voice than the song OF
the mountain brook after rain, that he
loved little bow and wooden sword
and to play in the white sand. and how
he ran to hide his face against her side
from the pwbach. What is pwbach In
English?" he asked.
How can I.tell?" said /. You mus,
explain little"
We'll, perhaps some man shall dress
himself in a strange fashion and black
his face, and go about to make a joke;
that is it,"
why" said 1. DOGGY. or some such