The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-26
SOME OLD WORLD DUELS
SENSATIONAL COMBATs ON THE
FIELD OF sHONOR.,
Desperate Encounter Between vaIofx
and Bexarier I'm the Time of
Henri Quatre-One
Kills Four.

Henri Quafre-One
Kills -Four.
Boston Herald.
One of the most memorable, as wen
as one of the most desperate, duels In
the annals OF Trance, took place in
Paris during the reign of Henry w
between Lagarde Valois "a gambler,
roue and swashbuckler) and Constant
Bezarier. The former had stabbed a
lad named Chretien, whom he had at
tempted to rob, at restaurant, and
during the melee .Bezarier, a friend
OF the young nobleman, precipitated
himself into the room just as Valois
was making his exit. Despatching a
domestic for a surgeon, Bezarier took
Off Chretien's hat, with its rich ostrich
plume, and attaching a slip of paper
TO IL, with the words, Thou thrice
accused coward. Valois. meet me. Be !.
zarier. and wear this hat, II thou dar-
est" he sent 1t by his own servant to
Valois's lodgings and then looked caro-
fully to his sword and daggers and left
for the Three Brothers, the residence
of his friend. Chretien, He had only
proceeded, however, as far as the
Church of the Sacred Heart, when he
saw approaching him Valois himself,
with the-identical hat on his head. 1t
was lonely road, and there was ample
room there for two desperate men bent
on fighting a duel to the death. In
an instant their swords were drawn and
they sternly saluted each other. The
next and the blades were crossed.
A Wordy Combat.
For some minutes each man Tented
and lunged in turn. and did his utmost
to discover the strength of his adver-
sary's resources. Then there was a
quick pass or two, then an involuntary
pause. I'VE meet sooner than ex-
pected," said Valois, his face aglow
with the delight of battle. 81 knew the
Sieur Bezarier would keep his promise
to meet me, but l did not expect to see
him again before sunset" You are a
liar and cur" retorted Bezarier
sternly. "and may think yourself for
tunate that / condescend to cross
swords with you. Shake not your
head in that way. may; ] know you
Him you did breakfast with. and ply
with wine. and afterwards rob. he was
my friend and I am about to be his
avenger Therefore. make your peace
with heaven, for short is the shrift
shall allow you" Fool" retorted Va.
lois, with rage, who are you, that, or
the Fepute of few chance encounters
with obscure men, would face the besl
swordsman in Paris? I hurl your def
ance back in your teeth. Have at you
now!" With that he raised his sword
and with a quick and nimble rush broke
over Bezarier's guard and wounded hin
in the forehead. How like you ;hat?'
he demanded. Bezarier made no an
swer, but quietly wiping the blood from
his face smiled disdainfully AMI ad
vanced to the attack. Again the swords
crossed.
Were Evenly Matched.
In mere skill and dexterity the com
batants were pretty evenly balanced
but valois was the more active ant
by far the stronger of the two. Twice
had tho point of his sword swept like
lightning with an inch of Bezarier''
heart. and only by the merest goot
fortune did the latter escape untouch
ed. But his GOODNESS and resolution
his patience and pertinacity. never lef
him. Even these tokens of his adver
sary's superiority failed to provoke hin
to be indiscreet He parted Valoisi
impetuous outsets, with calm courage
that left nothing to be desired. For tn
third time they closed. Though Be
zarier was bleeding freely from tn
wounds he had received. he bated no 10
| of his vigilance eye. foot and han'
were equally firm and true. EVIDENT,
It was his design to tire out Valoi
before he attempted any serious effor
on his own account. OF this Valoi
soon became aware. and his curse
were frequent and deep. Once NOR
he made a savage rush, and thougl
Bezarter pared 1t, the exertion SCENE
to tire him. and he hung longer on tn
others blade than was altogether safe
Valois noticed II. Quick as thought h
disengaeed and with straight an
deadly thrust ran. Bazarier through tn
body he'latter staggered. but stoo
his ground without falling. That 1
for the hat cried Valois. mockingly
And again he came on.
Wounded, but Fighting still.
| Two quick feints two nimble parrie
and once more Valois pierced hi
enemy. For the feather, fair sir!
he said. No reply. Mute and grin
deadly pale and bleeding profusely BE
zarier fought on. The tenacity of tn
man was wonderful. There was n
sign of yielding about him. and It wa
evident that he would surrender onl
with his life. Another minute an
Valois. for the third time, broke dow
his opponents guard and, as his swor
went through him, exclaimed exulting
| ly: THAT Is for the loop" Then Be
| Zarier drew himself together, ana spit
ting out the blood from his mouth
| drew his dagger and leaned like
tiger at Valois's throat. Taken Who'll
lv by surprise at the unlocked for dis
play of phenomenal vigor. the latte
lost his footing and fell heavily to tn
ground. That fall doomed him to sur
death. Bezarier planted his knee W
on his chest and held him down power
| less Then he stabbed Valois in tn
throat and breast and forehead. agai
and aRain-fourteen gaping wounds /
all. Then Bezarier rose and spurnin
the body of his dead enemy with hi
foot walked quietly back to the I'M
And 1t may be stated in conclusio
that, although Bezarier was ru
through tbs body three times, he live
for nearly forty years afterward.
If warm weather makes you fee
ho