Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-09

you been . coward, you would not have
been worthy to fight in tn q arena
You would not have come where yOS
are standing, and possibly even now
your grave would have been filled. 4
you survive the ordeal that IL to come
hope It will prove an example to 20,
OF tho honor that is due to bravery
Of the fairness due a foe"
Many voices spoke the word Amen
as he stopped, turning to be ,kon in
to the gloom about us. I was ow quite
over my confusion. I began to lool
about me and get my bearings. I could
hear q stir in the crowd hey ond thd
lights, and murmur Of vote es. Rel
iecting lanterns from many pillar,
near by shot their rays upon me.
stood on a platform, some 30 feel
square, in the middle Of a large room
It's floor was on a level with he face!
Of the many who stood pressing I'd
the row Of lights. Here, I took It, [
was to fight for my life. war LOOKING
at the yawning grave In the corner Of
this arena, when four men ascended
with swords and pistols. One Of them
removed the shackles. letting my
hands free. I thanked him as he
tossed them aside. was thinking Of
D'ri, and, shading my eyes, locked of
in the gloom to see II I could discoveI
him. called his name, but leard nd
answer. His lordship came over I'd
me, bringing q new sword He held
the glittering blade before me, it, hin
In his right hand. its point resting on
the fingers Of bis left.
ut g good" said he. quietly; TRY
IT,"
Il was q beautiful weapon, its guard
and pommel and quillons sparkling
with wfought-silver, its grip of yell
low leather laced with blue silk. Tho
glow and the feel Of it filled me with
q Joy I had not known since my father
gave me the sword Of my childhood
1t drove the despair out Of me, and
was new man. tried the blade. Its
point upon my toe. 1t was good meta
and the grip fitted me.
well, how do you find it," said heI
impatiently.
Il am satisfied was my reply.
lie helped me take of my blouse and
waistcoat. and then rolled my sleevel
to the elbow. The hum Of voices had
grown louder. I could hear men offer
ing to bet and others banter ns fol
odds.
I'VE II know soon," said voice nesi
me, whether he could hava killed
Ronley in fair fight"
turned to look at those few in thu
arena. There were half dozen o
them now, surrounding my adversary
q man taller than the rest. with
heavy neck and brawny arms and
shoulders. He had come out OF tn !
crowd nnobserved by me-. He als4
was stripped to the shirt, and hat
rolled up his sleeves. and was trying
the steel. He had red, bristIing mus
taohe and overhanging browa and
vulgar face-nOt that of a man Wild
settles his quarrel with the sword.
judged club or dagger would hav(
been better suited to his genius. But
among fighters, it is easy to be fooleq
gone save his lordship and that portl
bald-headed man l had heard him re-
Duke as Sir Charles My aesversar
met me At the center of the arena
where we shook hands. could see, o
thought I could. that he was enterfnI
upon business new to him, for Their
was in his manner an indication OF UNI
steady nerves.
Gentlemen, are you ready?" sail
his lordship.
But there are reasons why the storA
OF what came after should be none 0
my telling. | leave it to other and bet
ter eyes that were not looking betwee1
flashes of steel, as mine wer,. AND
then one has never a fair view Of hi
fights.