Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1906-08-10

might catch his foeman's blade, and by a
quick turn of his wrist snap it across.
Alleyne, on the other hand, must trust
for his defence to his quick eye and act
i've toot-for his sword, though keen,
was OF light and graceful build, with a
narrow sloping pommel and a tapering
steel.
Tranter well knew his advantage and
lost little time in putting it to use. As
his opponent walked toward him he sud-
denly bounded forward and sent in a
whistling cut which would have severed
the other in twain had he not sprung
lightly back from it. Quick as panther,
Alleyne sprang in with thrust, but
Tranter, who was as active as he was
strong, had already recovered himself
and turned it aside with movement of
his heavy blade. Again he whizzed in a
blow which made the spectators hold
their breath, and again Alleyne very
quickly and swiftly slid from under it,
and sent back two lightning thrusts
which the other could scarce parry. So
close were they to each other that Al
leyne had no time to spring back from
the next cut, which beat down his
sword and grazed his forehead, sending
the blood streaming into his eyes and
down his cheeks. He sprang out beyond
sword-sweep, and the pair stood breath
ing heavily, while the crowd of young
squires buzzed their applause.
"Brayely struck on both sides!'' cried
Roger Harcomb. you have both won
honor from this meeting, and it would
be sin and shame to let it GO. further
You have done enough" Edricson
said Norbury.
You have carried yourself WELL" cried
several of the older squires.
For my part, l have no wish to slay
this, young man," said Tranter, wiping
his brow.
docs this gentleman crave my pardon
tor having used me despitefully?" asked
Alleyne.
''Nay, not T."
Then stand on your guard, sir! !" With
clatter and clash the two blades met
once more, Alleyne pressing in so as to
keep within full sweep of the heavy blade,
while Tranter as continually sprang back
to have space for one of his great cuts.
A three-parts parried blow drew blood
IRON Alleyne's left shoulder, but at the
same moment he wounded Tranter slight
ly upon the thigh. Next instant, how
ever, his blade had slipped into the fatal
notch, there was sharp cracking sound
with a tinkling upon the ground, and he
found a splintered piece of steel fifteen
inches long was all that remained to him
OF his weapon.
- "Your life is in my hands" cried
Tranter, with bitter smile.
Another sword" cried Ford.
Nay, sir" said Harcomb, "that is not
the CUSTOM"
Throw down your hilt, Edricson ~
cried Norbury.
''Never!" said Alleyne. "Do you
crave my pardon, siTT"
You are mad to ask it."
"Then on your guard again !" cried the
irnnt mi fro
and fury which more than made up for
the shortness of his weapon. 1t had not
escaped him that his opponent was
breathing in short, hoarse gasps, like a
man who is dizzy with fatigue. Now was
the time for the purer living and the
more agile limb to show their value.
Back and back gave Tranter, ever seek
Alleyne, his jagged point now at his foe
mans face, now at his throat, now at his
chest, still stabbing and thrusting
to pass the line of steel which
covered him. Yet his experienced
foeman knew we'll that such efforts
could not be long sustained. Let
him relax for one instant and his death
blow had come. Relax he must! Flesh
and blood could not stand the strain.
Already the thrusts were less fierce, the
foot less ready, although there was no
abatement of the spirit in the steady gray
eyes. Tranter, cunning and wary from
years of fighting, knew that his chance
had come. lie brushed aside the frail
weapon which was opposed to him.
whirled up his great blade, sprang back
to get the fairer sweep-and vanished
into the waters of the Garonne.
So intent had the squires, both COM
batants and spectators, been on the mat
ter in hand, that all thought of the steep
bank and swift, still stream had gone
from their minds. Tranter's last spring,
carried him clear of the edge, and he