The Washington times., 1904-09-25


ing. 1t would seem. to end the affair
with one fell stroke
It was n savage onset, but 1 parried,
our steeis ringing out clear in the still
morning air; and then he disenga ged
and stepped back for moment
! had been taught by my fencing mas
ter while at school, 20 calculate my
opponents physical and intellectual
strength at the first move. so as to be
able 70 judge Of his acuteness and mode
OF action. This was in order 10 decide
whether he be man Of nerve. or if
likely TO be int,midated or become con-
, fused, so that advantage might be
taken Of his weak points.
BY foints l was taught to discover his
natural parry; and by his attitude and
aspect what his forte was-if he would
probably rush in, trusting TO strength
End audacity, or contest warily. relying
upon sldilfUl swordplay
II was clear 20 me that my adv rsary
preferred the blaze, ard would cut and
slash after the manner of cavalry prac-
( tice. AT this 1 could wear him out.
l myself preferred the point, after the
manner in which / had been taught to
use the sword but kept merely on the
defense and attempted no aggressive
movements.
He swung his sword as high as his
head, brought it down in an attempt TO
beat down my guard, but / was watch
ing him closely. Finally / caught his
/ eye and held his gaze.
It seemed to unnerve him to meet my
| cold stare, in which he could find little
fear. At times he partially lost control
/ of his weapon.
He had mistaken his foe. He had 70
| deal. for once in his life, with a man Of
/ his equal
! saw his cOuntenance change. There
was a look Of grim determination IN
place Of audacity and contempt; and his
/ blows became less viciOusly and more
/ slIillfully directed
Again he disengaged, and I waited.
! The advantage so far had been on my
side could see that he was firing. He
| brsathed hard.
Having been unable to strike my blade
/ down. he now tried a thrust movement
darling quickly back and forth and
making feints to throw me of my guard
/ but at this he showed very little skill. 1
| stood my ground and let him wear him
self out
/ All the old cunning I had been taught
/ by my fencing master. the French tu-
with my adversary.
! I hesitated about ending the affair.
! could see fear in his eyes. I knew that
had him at my mercy. Why did not
strike the fatal blow I do not know. It
might have been better had done so.
! but somehow could not XIII him.
| Two or three times 7 had pricked
him, and had then drawn back. I saw
/ the blood stain his handsome uniform
J 7 saw the pallor Of his face; 1 heard
/ his labored breathing, and yet I held
of.
! He fought like a brave man. Again.
when almost beaten out, he rallied, and
with a swift lunge forward, struck a
| blow which must have done for me, had
7 not been well covered
Then he lost his nerve; his eyes wan
: dered; his grasp on his weapon became
/ lax; and to put an end TO the affair.
with a weH-directed blow I disarmed
him, sending his sword flying to the
ground
/ He stood there waiting for me to
strike. Ny point was firm. but. as be-
fore. when I had him in my power. /
could not kill him
/ Co 7 cried. take yourself back to
the senOrita. and tell her that Max
well Harvey spared your life,'
XIII me; you have me disarmed." he
replied. with bitter scorn.
/ Go" I repeated; It spare your life
Go, but If you ever cross my path again
viii Kill YOU. I will kill YOU. and
grind you under the heel Of my boot. %
| Pedro had secured my horse. and 1t
was standing near. Quickly sheathinE
my sword. with a single bound I was
IN the saddle again, and had turned into
the road.
Pedro kept at my side. and we left
Don Luis standing by the roadside star
ing after us We had gone fifty yards
/ perhaps, when Pedro. who had turned
/ in his saddle 70 lock back. cried 10 me
/ crouch low, bend down. senor.r
Almost as he spoke. a bullet wbizys5
past my head
J 'IIa. ha.' I laughed nervousIv. q mo
ment after when we were out of range
/ He Is welcome 20 that last shot II
/ will make it easier for me to kin him
/ II we ever meet again"
1T was a mean trick-you sbouId
/ have killed him-you had him dis
armedE' exclaimed Pedro. all in one
| breadth
Il could not," replied. 1T seemed
! like murder
He would have killed YOU" he said
know veil enough that he would
| have killed me-that he would have shot
me from behind my hack. had his aim
been better 1 had not thought Of his
doing that did not believe he wouId
stoop so low
/ But l was not sorry that had SHARED
his life. Ny conscience was clear.
! Honor. ut least, had been satisfied. and
felt that my triumph was more com
pete permitting him to go, indebted to
me for his life. than it would have been
had / left his body by the roadside.
! Had / killed him would not s,morita's
! sympathies have been with the slain.
and would she not have hated and de
spised me for what 1 had done? be-
! lieyed she would.
CHAPTER XVI.
] N Int