The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1906-08-09
salxhs catch his foeman's blade, and by

alsht catch his foeman's blade. and BY a
quick turn OF hls wrist snap IL across
4 Aiieyae. ca the other hand. must trust
| for his defence 10 has quick eye and act
| i've iook~-loF his sword, though keen,
| VAS OF a llshI aud graceful build. with a
narrow slepsns poinmel and tapsr1ns
| steel.
Tranter well knew his advantage and
| lost little time Ia putting It 10 use. As
hAs opponent walked toward him be sud-
denly bounded forward aud sent ia a
whlsgllng cut which would have severed
| the other ia twain had be not sprung
| lightly back from IT, Quick as a panther.
Tranter. who was as active as be Was
sxrong, had already recovered himself
and turned lt aside with a movement OF
his heavy blade. Again be whizzed IN a
blow which made the spectators bold
their breath. and asaIn Alleyne very
quickly and swiftly slid FROM under IL.
and sent back two lightning fhrusIs
which the other could scarce parry. 50
close were they 10 each ether that Al
leyne had no time to spring back from
the next cut, which beat down his
sword and grazed his forehead. sending
tbs blood streaming into his eyes and
down bis cheeks lie sprang out beyond
sword-sweep. and the pair stood breath
ing heavily, while the crowd OF young
s9ulres buz<ed their applause.
~Bravely struck on both sides J" cried
Roger fIarcomb. -'I0u have both won
honor from this meeting. and il would
be sin aud shame TO let il go further.
You have done enough, Edrleson
said NoFbury.
You have carried yourself well" cried
several of the older sQuires-
For nay part. ! have no wish TO slay
this young nan." said Tranter, wlping
his brow
.Does this gentleman crave my pardon
tor having used me despitefnlly? asked
Alieyne-
''Nay. not IT,
s-,rhen stand on your guard. sir r With
a clatter and clash the two blades met
once more, Aiieyne pressing in so a. @
keep within full sweep OF the heavy blade.
while Tranter as continually spgang back
10 have space for one OF bis great cuts.
A fhree-parts parried blow drew blood
from AIleyne's left shoulder. but az the
same moment be wounded Tranter slight
" upon the thigh. Next instant. bow
ever. his blade had slipped into the fatal
notch, there was sharp cracking sound
with a tlnkllus upon the ground. and be
found a splinfered piece Of steel htteen
inches long was all that remained 90 him
of his weapon
'aYour lie Is In my hands," cried
Tranter. with a bitter smile.
Another sword. cried Ford.
"Nay, sir" said Harconb. that Is not
Throw down your hnt. Edricson r
cried Norbury
@Nexer r said Alleyne. "Do you
crave my pardon. xllx
@Xou are mad 10 3Ak IL.
s.fhen on your guard again = cried the
young squire. and spFang IN with a hrr
and a fury which more than made up Tor /
the shoFtnesa Of his weapon Ii had not l
escaped him that hts opponent Was
breathing 10 short, haaF~e gasps. Ike
man who II dizzy with fatigue. New was
the time for the purer living and tne Il
more agile limb TO show their value.
Back and back gave Transer. ever seek
ing time for last cut On and on came
Alleyne. his Jagged point now At his foe
mans face. now az Ills throat. now at bis
chest, sfill stahbing aud thFustlng /
to pass the line Of steel which \
him. Yee his experienced /
soemnn knew well thar sueh Efforts
could not be- long sustained lsfi
him relax for one instant and bis death-
blow had come. Relax be must flesn
and blood could net stand the strain.
Already the TRUSTS were less fierce. the
foot less ready. although there WIS no
abatement OF the spirit Ia the steady gray
eyes Tranfer. cunning and wary frotn
years OF fighting. knew that bis chance
had come. lie brushed aside rhs frau
weapon which was opposed 10 him.
whirled up his great blade, spfnng back
10 get the fairer swecP-aud vanished
into the waters OF the Garopne.
SO intent had the @4uiees. both com
yafmufs and spectators. been on the mat
Ter ia hand. that al thought Of the steep |.
,auk and swift. still stream had gone
rom their minds. Trangcr's last spring.
:arried him clear OF the edge, and ne