The Delta independent., 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 foot-tor 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 n
whistling cut which would have severed
| lightly back from it. Quick us panther.
| Alleync sprang in with thrust. but
Tranter. who was as active as he was
strong, had already recovered himself
his heavy blade. Again he whizzed in a
blow which made the spectators hold
their breath, and aeain Alleyne very
quickly and swiftly slid from under it.
and sent back two lightning thrusts
which the other could scarce parry. So
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 sprnng out beyond
ing heavily. while the crowd of young
squires buZzed their applause.
"Rravely struck on both sides =" cried
Roger Harcomb. You have both won
honor from this meeting, and 1t 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, have no wish to slay
this, young man. said Tranter, wiping
his brow.
Does this gentleman crave my pardon
tor having used me despitefully!" asked
Alleyne.
Nay, not l."
Then stand on your guard, sir! With
a clatter and clash the two blades met
once more, Alleyne pressing in so us to
keep within full sweep of the heavy blade.
to have space for one of his great cuts.
A three-parts parried blow drew blood
from Alleyne's left shoulder. but at the
same moment he wounded Trnnter slight
ever. his blade had slipped into the fatal
notch, there was a sharp cracking sound
with a tinkling upon the ground, and he
found n splintered piece of steel fifteen
inches long was all that remained to him
of his weapon.
"Your life is in my hnnds!" cried
Tranter, with bitter smile.
Another sword,' cried Ford.
NAY. sir" said Hnrcomb. that is not
the CUSTOM"
Throw down your hilt. Edricson!"
cried Norbury.
"Never" said Alleyne. do you
crave my pardon, siT
You are mad to ask it."
''rhen on your guard again" cried the
young squire, and sprang in with n fire
and fury which more than made up for
the shortness of his weapon. 1t hnd not
| escaped him that his opponent WIS
breathing in short, hoarse gasps, like
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 Trnnter. ever seek
| ing time for last cut. On and on came
| .Alleync. his jagged point now nt his foe
| mans face. now at his throat, now Mt his
chest, still stabbing and thrusting
to pass the line OF steel which
covered him. Yet his e1perlenced
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 ferce, the
foot less ready, although there wns 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 tho frnil
i weapon which was opposed to him.
whirled up his great blade, sprang back
to get the fnircr sweep-and vanished
| into the waters of the Garonne.
So intent had the squircs, both COM
batants and spectators, been on the mat
bank and swift, still stream had gone
from their minds. Trnnter's last spring.
carried him clear Of the edge, and he