Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-05-28

OF n flying knife. and saw the Spaniard
drop his sword. De la Mora glanced
round with indignant eyes 10 the
Choctaw who had made the cast, now
looking for approval from his gentle
man VINO sang like a woman and
Iought like a 1end. The chevalier was
like to have wreaked summary ven
geance for striking so foul "a blow.
Through the press I could see him 40
up 10 his late adversary, bareheaded
and courteous, to extricate him from
the motley, bleeding group wherein he
had fallen. Throwing his powerful
shoulder against n door, he broke II
down, and tenderly carried the wound
ed gentleman within. / could then see
him quietly standing guard at the door,
waiting for the turmoil to cease. for II
was then quite evident that the day
was ours.
Already the Choctaws were busy
tearing the reeking scalps from the liv-
ing n the dead. De la Morals face
grew deathly pale at the sight: his
cheeks did play the woman. and one
might deem him my lady's dapper
page, catching his maiden Whit OF
blood. This generous act kept him from
being In at the close OF the fray, and
robbed him OF the greater need OF glory
Whlcf he might have thereby won.
Twice that day, as he struck down n
pike aimed at my breast, did he make
me TO feel In my heart like q lying
thier-l, who was weak enough to inn
agine his dishonor.
Just at the last there was n trifing
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, M before many
minutes the proud Castilian pennon
lowered to the milk white flag Of
France. On sea and land were we alike
successful.
An hour after Pensacola fell. the
Spanish ships struck their colors to
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. / obeyed most reluctant
~, Tor | expected n stern rebuke from
the rugged soldier who never forgave
the slightest deviation from mis- orders.
instead, Bienville overwhelmed me
with praise. He grasped my hand. and
spoke loud enough for all the troops
to hear:
Before our assembled armies I am
proud to acknowledge your share I'm
Frances triumph this day; proud and
grateful FOR your fidelity at Versailles
and Paris. Your example of LOYALTY
and courage is one worthy to be emu
lated by all the sons OF France The
Ill shall have your name for further
recognition"
This was a great deal for Bienville to
say, especially at such a time. NV own
lips were dumb.
Take your proper place, sir"
And mechanically | walked TO the
head OF my cheering guards. was
amazed. And Serigny? Had he made
up his mind to overlook my detection
Had the governor forgiven nv failure
to return In lie Dauphin? Surely not.
The noble voice Of Bienville broke into
puzzled thought:
captain de Mouret, you will receive
the surrender of Don Alphonso, our
kntghtly and courteous foe"
1t thrilled me with pride that I
should receive so famous n sword, for
knightlier foeman than Alphonso never
trod a deck nor tossed his gauntlet in
the lists. L stepped forward to the
Spanish lines where their v~anuuished
admiral rendered me the Insignia of
his command, when on a q d
thought | put back the proffered sword.
assuring him so noble a soldier ought
never to stand disarmed. Ny delight
ed lads cheered again like mad. a.ud
Bienville himself seemed much pleased
at my courtesy.
CONTINUED Next Week.