The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-08-07
"Geoffrey Heathcote, ESQ., =
By JOHN FENhoRE Copyright 1892 by Mcclure Coy
CHAPTER ".
FIGHT FOR MY LIFE

CHAPTER Nv.
FIGHT FOR MY LIFE.
Since he was so bent upon it, we
tainly did not feel inclined to escape
OH the terms offered.
He threw down his doublet and I
stripped off my riding coat. He placed
himself in position and dourished 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, I forgot his mean appear
ance, and whether he were entitled to
the honors of the duel. and only tasted
the keen joy of the play, offense and
defense, of the two shining points.
crossed swords with the intention
Of dtsarming my opponent as soon as
possible, but In a moment my easy
confidence banished. Ragged shirt and
leathern breeches Notwithstanding. I
had met with a master of fence. AT
the outset I tried upon him pass
which had never failed me. He knew
the only possible return and played 1t
perfectly, and barely saved my wrist.
My confidence, as I have said, van
fshed in one minute. In two, was
strictly on the defensive. In three, 1
was fighting for my life.
lance easily, and speaking in a quiet
pleasant tone: Come, now, give me
the word that am the best man, and
you shall go without any danger"
For the last dozen passes I 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 we'll
enough but it was the only one left
me.
I sent him back a full yard before he
regained his command of the play, and
then he set his teeth, and with q wild
yell drove at me in deadly earnest.
Once, twice, 1 turned aside, the darting
STEEL but it was as much as could do
to answer those swift, dreadful thrusts
He was my master and the best man.
sure enough. I knew it 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 iriclina
ton to turn my head. We had first
crossed swords on level patch few
yards from a 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 q stone
from catapult, my enemy had no
chance at all.
Down he crashed and the pair OF them
rolled in a 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, cor perhaps you have
had enough"
"Why, as to that" returned I, eff I
had been inclined to take advantage Of
chances, you would have had much
more than enough"
It ISIS very true he Joined, drop
ping his point, you could have done
me much mischief when I wass on
the ground. What ISIS on this woman ~
The woman had never ceased to ply
her tongue busily, and now something
SIlS Sdlu OISW Ills lAeu dlIeullON.
I returned at once to the house, for
was shivering bitterly. I was still far
from comfortably dry, and the chill
wind struck through and through me.
I put on my coat and drew my seat
still nearer to the glowing turf.
In short time my antagonist and
the woman came in.
well, WELL" he cried, spreading out
his hands; yes, she ISIS right The
woman ISIS right. She is thinking Of
what you have done for the little boy,
and 1t ISIS natural that she should have
for you a strong and tender feeling. If
I had known that before, I should
never say bad words to you and try for
a quarrel. Oh. no, never at ALL
Say no MORE" said I; "alPs we'll
that ends WE'LL
shoulder, and I pressed her hand. We
could not talk together, but for all that
we were at no loss to come to an un-
Outstanding. She now heaped on fresh
fuel, light. woody turf, which caught
instantly and threw UP leaping blue
flames, and the good, pleasant warmth
ran through my blood like cordial.
My antagonist seated himself and fell
into a reverie. brooding over his side Of
the fire. The woman swung over it a
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 a!l. have just beer. tsy~
ing to remember some verses I have
made upon that subject"
So he makes verses, does he, thought
this unkempt, tattered fellow, whose
swordplay is SO dreadful, and I eyed
him with wonder and curiosity, know
ing then but little Of the Welsh.
He remained silent for a NOM nt.
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 truth rhythmic.
It flowed and flowed as smoothly as q
slow river over sand, with barely a
trace of the harsh gutturals SO prom
inent In their converse tons.
My hostess stirred her porridge slow
er and slower and then stopped, wood
en- spoon In hand, and listened, her
face set in rapt attention toward the
speaker. That his subject was a NOV
ing one, I 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