The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-09-21
D'ri and |
By IRVING 3ACHELLER
Author Of Eben Holden" Darrell Of
the Blessed Isles. Etc.
cspyrish.. Isol. BY Lo.arSp rasII.hIns oompaayl
CHAPTER vI.-coNrINuED.

He knew a little about rough fighting
with a saber. He had seen my father
and me go at each other hammer and
tongs there in our dooryard every day
of good weather Stormy days he had
always stood by in the kitchen, roar
ing with laughter, as the good steel
rang and the house trembled. He had
been slow to come to Il, but had had
his try with us, and had learned TO
take an attack without flinching. went
at him hard for a final lesson that day
in the woods a great folly, / was
soon to know. We got warm and
made more noise than had any
thought of. My horse took alarm and
pulled away. running into a thicket. |
turned to catch him.
Judas Priesti" said D'ri.
There, within 10 feet Of us, | saw
what made me, ever after, more pru-
dent man. II was an English officer
leaning on his sword a tall and hand
some fellow of some 40 years, in shiny
top-boots and scarlet blouse and
gauntlets Of brown kid.
you are quite clever" said he,
touching his gray mustache.
made no answer, but stood pulling
myself together.
You will learn" he added, smiling.
with a tone of encouragement Let
me show you a trick"
He was most polite in his manner,
like a play-hero. and came toward me
as he spoke. Then | saw four other
Britishers coming out close in upon
us from behind trees.
He came at me quickly, and | met
him. He seemed to think 1t would be
no trick to unhand my weapon. Like
a fash, with a whip Of his saber, he
tried to wrench it away. D'ri had
begun to shoot. lodging between trees,
and a redcoat had tumbled over.
bore in upon my man, but he came
back at me with surprising vigOr. On
my word, he was the quickest swords
man | ever had the honor of facing.
But he had a mean way of saying
"Ha!" as he turned my point. He
soon angered me. whereupOn ! lost a
bit OF caution, with some blood, for he
was at me like a fash, and grazed me
on the hip before | could get my head
again. Il was no parlor play, | can
tell you. We were fighting for life. and
both knew II. We fought up and down
through brakes and bushes and over
stones-a perilous footing. I could
feel his hand weakening put all
my speed to the steel then, knowing
we'll that, barring accident, l should
win. | could hear somebody coming
up behind me.
Keep away there" my adversary
shouted. with fairness l admire when
think of it. 81 can handle him. Get
the other fellow"
| went at him to make an end of it.
"I'll make you squint. you young
cub" he Missed, lunging at me.
lie ripped nay blouse at the Shout
der, and. gods OF war! we made the
sparks fly. Then he went down, wrig-
Cling; | had caught him in the side,
poor fellowi Like a flash / was off
in a thicket One of the enemy got
out Of my way and sent a bullet after
me- could feel it rip and sting in
the muscle as it rubbed my ribs.
kept foot and made for NY horse. He
had caught his reins, and | was on
him and on in the bush, between bull
lets that came ripping the leaves about
me. before they could give chase.
Drums were beating the call to arms
somewhere. struck the trail in a
minute, and, leaning low in the saddle,
went bounding over logs and rocks
down a steep hillside as if the devil
were after me. looked back, and was
nearly raked of by a bough. | could
hear horses coming in the trail behind
with quick and heavy jumps. But
was up to rough riding and had little
fear they would get a sight Of me.
However, crossing a long stretch OF
burnt timber, they must have seen me.
heard crack of pistols far behind;
whiz of bullets over my head.
shook out the reiDs and LET the horse
go, urging with cluck and spur, never
stacking for rock or bill or swale. II