The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-02-05

siiSt tD w.
NAY, nothing of that kind. I jour
ney to Paris simply for my own pleas
ure." Levert, who half listened at a
distance, knew | was going to heed his
advice, though l misdoubted his mo-
tive, and again took up his pacing to
and fro.
AYE, my dear captain, but it's a long
trip for such an
yes, quite a long trip, but l weary
of the life at Biloxi, and would amuse
myself for a while In France"
But the garrison at Biloxi; is that
strong enough to spare so good a SOL
der? then the Indians, do you not fear
them?"
I glanced at him quickly. only half
b%etraying my thought. but replied nom
~chalantly:
mo, the Indians are quiet, at least
SO our scouts tell us, and as for the
state of the garrison. you were long
enough ashore to know we are strong"
"Ah, then, there is another motive; Il
woman. Come, is 1t not rue? Con-
feSS?'
I blushed in spite of myself; 1t was
an die way / had, for I had seen little
of women. My confusion threw him
completely off the track; lac I only
guessed 1T, would have taken refuge in
that device soone
mo, no, comrade; you are wrong
but still somehow my color came and
went like a novice out Of the convent.
His good-humored raillery continued
until | became annoyed in earnest, yet
was glad he took the matter SO serious
~. When Levert passed us again on
his walk l spoke to him.
Nov. my dear Levert, we will try
our fortune with the foils if it pleases
you"
~ .NTc Wv I,,-,o, t. >,.+ ~ ,x
With Broussard; methinks he had rath-
err the better Of you yesterday. You
agree, Broussard?"
Yes, yes he replied, eagerly, "let
US at it,
He fenced rather worse than usual,
so l had no trouble in touching him as
| pleased. This begat an irritation of
manner, and noticing it I suggested we
leave off.
He would not hear to it; I saw the
color slowly leave his face; his thin
lips curled back and showed his teeth,
until, fearing a serious outbreak, I
stepped back as If I would lay aside
the foil. He pressed me close, so close
indeed 1 could not If 1 would drop my
guard. He touched me once or twice.
Il call h bout a draw" declared
Levert, who had himself observed
Broussard's unusu energy.
Nay, not so, not so; he gives back.
I've much the BETTER" and he lunged
at me so vigorously + was forced to
act with more aggression. The button
snapped from the point OF his foil; I
cared not, and he affected not to see it,
though something made me sure he
realized his advantage. I determined
now to show him a trick Of my own.
From my youth I had the peculiar
faculty of using n hand quite as well
as the other, and had often practiced
changing my sword swiftly from right
more snowy than difficult, yet exceed
insly b~ewildering to an adversary. In
this instance it afforded me an easy
means OF reaching his undefended side.
SO l feigned to be driven back, and
watching for a more h%eadlong and
careless rush, my weapon was appar-
emily twisted from my hand and for an
instant seemed to hang suspended In
the air. l caught 1t in my left and be-
fore he recovered his footing had
thrown his foil from him, sending 1t
whizzilg overheard. 1t took but an
instant to press my point firmly against
his chest, as he stood painting and dis
armed. Never was man more sur
prised.
"Bravely DONE" cried Levert.
"a most foul and d~ishonorable trick
Achille snarled.
mot So" Levert corrected him
gravely, looking at me to observe the
effect of the insult. I stood still at
guard, but made no nov
"Broussard, you are angry now, and
I'll take no heed Of your heated words
But tomorrow o must make a gen
tleman's amends"
the quarrel of a child. He means moth
ing"
Broussard said no more, out looked
surly and i'll pleased. I was secretly
elated at the success of my couI
against such a skilled swordsman, and
only remarked quietly:
"Broussard, when you anger has
passed l trust you will do me the honor
of an apology"
Behind 1t all I cared little, for I fell
myself his master with his chosen
weaponi and could afford to be gem
erous. He came up in very manly
fashion, after a time. and craved my
forgiveness, but we played at foils nc
more.
The lookouts were beginning tc
watch for land, I growing more ant
voyage drew near. And now I hac
much leisure to contemplate, and won.
der at the strange turn of fortune
which had called upon me to play E
part in the affairs Of state, though
what the drama was, and what m,
! lines might be, I could only guess. Thu
story of Colonel D'Ortez, too, furnished
], me much food for reflection these Ions
starlit nights, when I sat in my favor.
lite seat in the very prov of the vessel
There would l sit night after night
: watching the phosphorescent wave!
ripping against the vessel, cleaning
htful in the gloom; there observe tn,
: ~steadfast stars, and seem alone will
darkness and with God.
One wet morning, pacing the slip
: perry deck. the sailing master called t,
me:
e See. sir. yonder dim outline to tn,
~noreast2 IT'S the Norman coast; thi
night, God willing, we sleep II
Dieppe."
My errand now consumed my entir
attention, so / thought no more of m
companions OF the voyage, biddin,
them both good night before we ha,
yet landed.
CHAPTER ".
y THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES.
ri At the break Of day, rumblfng GU
" OF the little fishing village, 1 was sur
t. prised to see beth Broussard and lie
vert astir as early as myself, each /
a separate, coach. travelling the sam
direction. I thought 1t strange tbs
/: they chose to SO separately; and tha