The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-06-24
FAMOUS DUELS.
Sensational Combats on the Field of
Honor Described.

duels in the annals OF France. took
place in Paris during the reign OF
Henry w between Lagarde Valois
"a gambler, roue and Swashbuckler)
and Constant Bezarier, says the Bos-
ton Herald The former. ia! %:abbed
a lad named Chretien, IN i: had
attempted to rob. at + ':.arant, and
during the melee Bezarie-, :; fried OF
the young nobleman, prccipi;::.>: him
self into the room just : Va.>.a was
making his exit, Dispa:t:;i"c do
mestic for surgeon. BeZarier took
off Chretien'S hat. with its rich ostrick
plume, and attaching a slip OF paper
TO it. with the words, Thou thrice
accused coward. ValoiS. meet me, Be-
zaricr, and wear this hat. II thou
darest," he sent it by his own servants
to Valois' lodgings and then looked
carefully to his swords and daggers
and left for the Three Brothers. the
residence of his friend Chrelien 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 1hare for two deS-
perafe men bent O., fighting 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 several minutes each man 1eint-
ed and lunged in turn. and did his ut
most to discover the strength OF his
adversary's resources. Then there
was quick pass or two, then an in
voluntary pause eve meet sooner
than I expected" said Valois. his face
aglow with the delight OF battle. "1
knew the Sieur Begarier would keep
his promise to meet. but I did not
expect to see him again before sum
set" "You are liar and a our." re-
torted Bezsrier. sternly, ~and may
think yourself fortunate that I
condescend to cross swords with
you. Shake not your head in that
way, nay; I 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. There
fore, make your peace with heaven,
for short is the shrift shall allow
you. "Foolr' retorted Valois, white
with rage, "who are you. that, on
the repute OF a few chance encoun-
ters with obscure men. would face the
best swordsman in Paris? / hurl your
defiance back in your teeth. Have
at you, now! With that he raised
his sword. and with quick and nim-
bic rush broke over BezaTier's guard
and wounded him in the forehead,
How like you that::" he demanded.
Bezarier made no answer. bu; quietly
wiping the blood from his face,
smiled disdainiully and advanced 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 and
by far the stronger of the two. Twice
had the point OF his sword swept Ike
lightning within an inch OF Bezarier's
heart, and only by the merest good
fortune did the latter escape untouch-
ed. But his GOODNESS and resolution.
his patience and .pertinacity, never
left him. Even these tokens o! his
adversary's superiority failed IL pro-
woke him to be indiscreet He parried
ValioS' impetu"ns "utSelS win :
calm courage that lett no,hinnS
to be desired For the third
time they closed Though ?"
<arier was bleeding freely from the
wound he had received. he bated
no jot OF his vigilance-eye. foot aad
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.