The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-23

sternly, land may think
fortunate that I condescend-
ed to cross swords with you. Shake
not your head in that way. l know
you! Him you did breakfast with
and ply with wine, and afterward rob
He was my friend and l am about to
be his avenger. Therefore, make your
peace with heaven, for short is the
shrift l shall allow you"
Fool" retorted Valois, white with
rage. Who are you that, on the re-
pute of a few chance encounters with
obscure men. would face the best
swordsman in Paris? 1 hurl your de-
fiance back in your teeth. Have at you,
now!"
With that he raised his sword, and
with quick and nimble rush broke
over Bezariers guard and wounded
him in the forehead.
How like you that?" he demanded.
Bezarier made no answer. but quiet
ly wiping the blood from his face, smil-
ed disdainfully and advanced to the
attack. Again the swords crossed.
Quite Evenly Matched.
In mere skill and dexterity the com
batants were pretty evenly balanced,
but Valois was the more active and by
far the stronger of the two. Twice
had the point of his sword swept like
lightning within an inch of BEARERS
heart, and only by the merest good
fortune did the latter escape untouched.
But his GOODNESS and resolution, his
patience and pertinacity, never left
him. Even these tokens of his adver
sarps superiority failed to provoke him
to be indiscreet. He parted Valois'
impetuous onsets with a calm courage
that left nothing to be desired.
For the third time they closed
Though Bezarier was bleeding freely
from the wound he had received, he
bated no jot of his vigilance-eye, foot
and hand were equally firm and true
Evidently it was his design to tire out
Valois before he attempted any serious
effort on his own account. OF this Va
lois soon became aware. and his curses
were frequent and deep.
Once more he made a savage rush,
and though Bezarier parried it, the ex-
.ertion seemed to tire him, and he hung
longer on the others blade than was
altogether safe. Valois noticed it,
Quick as thought he disengaged and
with a straight and deadly thrust ran
Bezarier through the body. The lat
ter staggered, but stood his ground
without falling.
THAT is for that hiatt" cried Valois
mOckingly. And again he came on.
Two quick feints, two nimble parties,
and once more Valois pierced his en-
envy. For the feather, fair SIR" he
said. No reply. Mute and grim, dead
ly pale and bleeding profusely, Beza-
rier fought on. The tenacity of the
man was wonderful. There was no
sign of yielding about him, and it was
evident that he would surrender only
with has life.
Another minute and Valois, for the
third time, broke down his opponents
guard and. as his sword went through
him; exclaimed eXultingly: That is
for the loop!" Then Bezarier drew
himself together, and, splitting out the
blood from his mouth. drew his dag
ger and leaped like a tiger at Valos
throat. Taken wholly by surprise at
the unlookedfor dispvy of phenome-
nal vigor, the latter lost his footing
and fell heavily to the ground That
fall doomed him to sure death. Beza-
rier planted his knee upon his chest
and held him down powerless. Then
he stabbed Valois in the throat and
breast and forehead again and again
fourteen gaping wounds in all. Then
Bezarier rose and, spurning the body
of his dead enemy with his foot, walk
ed quietly back to the inn. And il may
be stated in conclusion that, although
Bezarier was run through the body
three times. he lived for nearly forty
years afterward.
Killed Four Officers.
is said of the renowned French
swordsman, Ludovico De Piles and his
brother that one day while Journey
ing toward Paris they stopped over at
an inn at Valence and, seeing a spit
turning, ordered supper,
Il can only give you crackers and
cheese said the landlord. only
crackers and cheesel" cried Ludovico.
in anger and surprise. Pray. sir.
whose meat is that on the spit ?" 1T
belongs TO four French officers. 4" Tell
them two French gentlemen will Join
them"
The landlord carried out his instruc-
tions, but soon returned with a reply
that "the officers decline" They do?
All bring us some crackers and cheese.
and have an apartment prepared for
us for the night" The brothers arose
early the next morning and were soon
on their way to Paris.
All of sudden Ludovico STONED and
said TO his brother: II have left nv
purse at Valence. / will return for If.
while you go your way slowly. and mi
overtake you before evening. He
then hurried to Valence. challenged the
four officers and killed them an. one
after another. He rejoined his brother
just before dinner time. but did not
mention the episode we have described.
Indeed, II was year before the lat
ter heard Of 81. and then II was from
Cardinal Mazarin. These brothers De
Piles fought many duels. but were new
er hurt