The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-07

By JOHN FINNIhoRE.
CHAPTER ".
r F1GHT FOR MY LIFE.


CHAPTER ".
FIGHT FOR MY LIFE.
5Eince he, was SO bent upon 1t, we
kould exchange q fewsspasses. Ger
htnly I did not feel inclined to escape
a the terms offered. Nss s
We threw down his doublet and I
hripped off my riding coat. He placed
inself in position n ffourished his
enyy sword about his head as il way-
ag a bullrush. s4
In height and reach we were fairly
natched. and, as our. swords clashed
pgether, T. forgot his mean appear
nee. and whether he were entitled to
Ne honors Of the duel, and only tasted
ne keen Joy Of the play, ofense and
fefense, of the two shining points.
+ crossed swords with the intention
e disarming my opponent as soon as
bossible, but in a moment my easy
sonfidence banished. Ragged shirt and
eathern breeches Notwithstanding I
lad met with a master Of fence. At
le outset / tried upon him a pass
which had never failed me. He knew
he only possible return and played it
perfectly, and I barely saved my wrist.
NV confidence, as / have said, van
shed in one minute. In two, I was
Atrictly on the defensive. In three, 1
$vas fighting for my life.
"Conle," said he, holding me at dis
lance easily, inc speaking in a quiet,
pleasant tone: Come, now, give me
fhe word that I am the best man, and
YOU she'll go without any danger"
For the last dozen passes I had been
On the defensive, but, a he dropped
black on making this offer, / rushed on
him and attempted to burst through
his guard at all hazards. That, the
trick was a mao one, I knew well
enough, but it was the only one left
me.
7 sent him Jack a full yard before he
regained his command OF the play, and
4then he set his teeth, and with a wild
Syell drove at me in deadly earnest.
EDnce, twice, I turned aside, the daEting
steel, but 1t was as much as I could do
t#to answer those swift, dreadful TRUSTS.
He was my master and the best man,
sure enough. / knew 1t now, but to
B%confess 1t was another matter. and I
fought doggedly on, my only object be-
ling to stave of the Inevitable end as
hong as possible.
Suddenly, the clattar of flying clogs
broke out IN our left. It was some, one
drumming swiftly down the stony road,
Ebut 1 had neither he time nor tnclina-
tion to turn my head. We had first
crossed swords on a level patch a 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,
81 striking him as she did like a stone
from a catapult, my enemy had no
chance at all.
Down he crashed and the pair Of them
rolled in a. tangR at my feet. For my
part, I 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
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, o would have had much
more than enough"
"It ISIS very true," he Joined, drop
ping his point, you could nave 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, n now something
she said drew his fixed attention.
I returned at once to4the house, for ]
wal shivering bitterly. I was still fa1
from comfortably dry, and the chill
wind. struck through and through me
I put on my coat and drew my sea-
still nearer to the glowing turf.
In a short time my antagonist ant
the woman came in. !
IA well, WE'LL" he cried, spreading ou'
Ia his hands; Eyes, she ISIS right. The
"a woman ISIS right. She Is thinking o.
"a what you have done for the little boy
and 1t ISIS natural that h should have
for you a strong and tender feeling. L
I had Known that before. I should
never say bad words to you and try FOL
ri a quarrel. Oh, no, never at all"
y Say no more" said. 1; ''alPs vel
"a that ends we'll"
My hostess came and patted m,
shoulder, and l pressed her hand. w
could not talk together, but for all tha
we were at no loss to come to an IN
~ fuel, light, woody turf, which caugh
q instantly and threw up leaping blu,
flames, and the good, pleasant warmth
ran through my blood like a cordial.
My antagonist seated himself and fel
into a r%everie, brooding over his side O
the fire. The woman swung over 1t
huge iron pot half full Of water, an,
began very slowly to pour in oatmeal
Stirring all the while, and for q tim
there was silence. Then he looked UP
a Yes" said he, 'the love Of tn,
mother for the child. it ISIS the strong
est OF them all. I have just been try
Ing to remember some verses I hav
made upon that subject"
SO he makes verses, does he, though
this unlkempt, tattered fellow, who's
sWordplay is SO dreadful, and I eye,
MIN with wonde and curiosity, know
ing then but little of the Welsh.
He remained silent for a moment
stroklng his beard, and then began t
reclte. Understanding none Of tn
words. I observed the more exactly tn
musical flow Of his low, mellow voice
hls speech was of a truth rhythmic
II flowed and flowed as smoothly as
SLOW river over sand, with barely
trace of the harsh gutturals SO prom
tnent In their conversations.
My hostess stirred her porridge slow
q er ana slower and then stopped, wood
n spoon in hand, and listened, he
luce set IN rapt attention toward tn
speaker. That his. subject was a NOV
my Ihh