The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-05-27

of flying knife, and saw the Spaniard
drop his sword. De la Mora glanced
round with indignant eyes to the
| Choctaw who had made the cast, now
looking for approval from this gentle
man who sang like a woman and
fought like fiend. The chevalier was
like to have wreaked summary ven
geance for striking so foul blow.
through the press l could see him go
up to his late adversary, bareheadcd
ana courteous, to extricatc him from
the motley, bleeding group wherein he
mad fallen. Throwing his powerful
shoulder against a door, he broke 1t
down, and teRderly carried the wound
ed gentleman within. ! could then see
him quietly standing guard at the door.
waiting for the turmoil to cease, for it
was then quite evident that the day
was ours.
Already the Choctaws were busy
tearing the reeking scalps from the liv-
Ing and the dead. De la Mora's face
grew deathly pale at the sight: his
cheeks did play the woman, and one
might deem him my ladys dapper
page. catching his maiden Whit of
being In at the close of the fray, and
robbed him Of the greater need of glory
which he might have thereby won.
Twice that day, as he struck down a
pike aimed at my breast, did he make
me to feel in my heart like a living
thief. who was weak enough to inn
agine his dishonor.
Just at the last there was trinlns
incident occurred which my lads in
sisted was greatly to my credit. News
or this was carried straight to the gov
ernor, and much was made thereof.
Bienville. with his Frenchmen, bat
tered down the gates. and before many
minutes the proud CastlIan pennon
lowered to the milk white flag of
france On sea and land We're we alike
successful.
An hour after Pensacola fell. the
Spanish ships struck their co!ors to
Championship. Our greatest loss was
the total destruction of the Seamew,
blown up by a red hot shot, which fell
In her powder magazine.
AT the surrender caught my old
commanders eye. He motioned me to
draw nearer. l Obeyed most reluctant
~. Tor l expected Il stern rebuke from
the rugged soldier who never forgaye
the slightest deviation from mis- orders.
instead. Bienville overwhelmed mo
with praise. He grasped my hand ana
spoke loud enough for all the troops
to hear:
BEFORE our assembled armies I am
proud to acknowledge your share in
Frances triumph this day: proud and
grateful Tor your fidelity at Versailles
and Paris. Your example of lovnlty
ana courage Is one worthy to be emu
iated by all the sons Of France. The
KING shall have your name for further
recognition"
This was a great deal for Rinnvile to
say. especially at such q time. NV own
lips were dumb.
Take your proper place, sir"
And mechanically I walked to the
head OF my cheering guards. was
amazed. And Serigny? Had he made
UP ms mind to overlook my defection?
Had the governor forgiven my failure
TO return In lie Dauphin? Surely not.
The noble voice of Bienville broke into
my puzzled thought
Captain de Mouret. you will receive
the surrender of Don Alphonso, our
kniGhtly and courteous foe"
1t thrilled me with pride that T
Shouid receive so famous sword, for
ltnlghtlier foeman than Alphonso never
tiod a deck nor tossed his gauntlet in
the lists. | stepped forward to the
spanish lines where their vanuuished
admiral rendered me the INSIGNIA of
his command, when on a sudden
thought put back the protfered sword
assuring him so noble a soldier ought
never to stand disarmed. NV delight
ed lads cheered again like mad. and
BicnNille himself seemed much pleased
at my courtesy.
CONTINUED Newt yyeol,,