New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-04-19
! "I'd like to change places with you,"

"Sure, that's not it at ALL The one
who fights dies fighting; the one who
is left dies there. I'm the one who's
left. That is what troubles me-" And
he waved his hand toward the square
cts bad sign when man barks
as loudly as Vasca Does" said.
'sThat's a sound enough argument
when civilization has knocked half the
fighting power out Of a man, but it's
just meaningless here. In Drussen
land a man darent bark unless he can
bite. I'd give a good deal to be back in
Yadasara. The place is full Of black.
guards, to be sure, but they're black
| guards you can understand-none OF
these tournament businesses and non
sense Of that kind"
There were three days Of waiting
before the tournament, three days in
which had to steel myself to behave
calmly, as usual, three days during
which l could hardly remain still fol-
q moment.
The day dawned bright and sunny
but with keenness in the air which
perhaps my nervous excitement exag
gerated. woke early and never, sure
", have hours been so leaden winged
| as they were that morning.
eve will not be the first to arrive
! said Organ, CURLING my Impotence
ut would only be to show anxiety"
(Which, of course, we do not feel,
| said, with a nervous laugh.
We waited in silence until it was
time to 60, and in silence we rode to
the camp.
Plentiful as the accommodation III
the lists had seemed to me, it was evil
| IDENTIFY not too much. Every seat, ev'
cry point Of vantage, had been taken.
There were two entrances reserved fol-
the knights who were to take part III
the days proceedings, facing each 9th
er and shut off from the arena by a
barrier which was only opened to LEI
| a knight pass in to combat.
On one side Of the lists was gallery
in which were the marshal and his
heralds, and opposite similar gallery
| where Princess Daria sat with her ret
inue. My eyes were riveted on this
gallery, but l could not tell whether
she had noticed me or whether she
looked anxious or Indifferent.
your time approaches, Verrall,'
said Organ, looking to the harness OF
my horse.
The trumpets sounded, and a roal
Of welcome came from q Thousand
throats. Other combats had excited
but my entrance heralded the perform
ance which had brought this crowd to
gether AS l rode past the gallery the
marshal and his attendants rose tt
give me courteous welcome. SO hat
they risen to each knight as he en-
tered the lists, but there was keene'
criticism in their eyes as they rose II
me. Some friends had among them
some enemies. l could probably hav'
divided friends from foes by the ex
preston on their faces. kept m!
horse we'll in hand. had no desire
now to show off CALAMITY. The bust
ness before me was too serious ant
might all too soon give the lie to my
warlike appearance. Slowly l walked
the horse round the lists until l was
opposite the gallery in which Princess
Daria sat.
The princess rose, and l saluted bel
gravcly, wondering if at that moment
the same thought ran through both ou'
brains-the thought Of the handker
chief which she had given and which
even then was lying close to my heart
Then I rode back and stood beneath
the marshars gallery.
"Heralds, sound the challenge OF the
Knight Of the Silver Star-once" be
cried.
The trumpets' music filled the air.
and before the echoes had died among
the bills the barrier at the opposite
side of the lists to which | had enter
ed was thrown open, and Count Vasca
rode into the arena.
II accept the challenge" he cried
and then, approaching me, he said in
lower voice: "No love creepS into
our combat, Sir Verrall You have
willcd that it shall be for honor
"For honor, Count Nasca. ana tor
love, too, if you WILL" I answered de-
family.
$50 soon different tale! Danger
gives increasing beauty to fair face
likely to be lost"
at is rather to challenge you 10
your best You harp on love so con-
stantly perchance honor is not enough
to strengthen your arm against me-.
A hiss Of rage was his only answer.
"To achievement, knights"' cried the
herald. Sound trumpcts.'
AS the blast rang out | turned my
horse. and the next moment the count
and 7 were rushing madIy at each 9TH
or. In that instant my mind was a
blank. Action had driven out even
the thought Of fear. We met Ills
lance shivered against my shield, q
blow which shook me, but did not
make me reel in the saddle. Either
INV aim was untrue or he avoided the
blow, for my lance only glanced along
his armor, and I continued my rush
toward the opposite side of the lists.
Perhaps there was some surprise that