The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-27

Mk handkerchief for a moment
IGsrSSi and then hastily concealed II.
49, / had almost forgotten what
occasioned the gift until rudely re-
minded by Walen as we left the hall
together
81 fear you have played into Vasca's
hands, Verrall," he said.
cor he into mine"
"True, or he into yours. 1t is diff
cult to Judge"
knowing so little of me, you would
say" | went on, putting, l knew, his
thoughts into words. my dear Wa
len, ask only fair field and no IA
vor. A few true friends and a good
cause and success is half won"
"Men fall in good cause, Verrall."
ITO prove that 1t is good to those
who remain" l answered.
III news gets abroad quickly, and
Organ had heard what had taken
place before / joined him.
"Verrall, you're an almighty fool.
Sure, it's sorry l am to be compelled
to tell you the truth"
81 don't fancy you've succeeded in
doing it now There was nothing for
it but bold move. Nasca had de-
termined to force me into this fight
and to leave no loophole for escape.
Better surely to grip the situation firm
ly and trust TO luck"
Luck" he exclaimed. 81 know what
Vasca can do. You don't"
81 very soon shall"
"I'd like to ckGnge places with you,"
Organ said. o..
"A piece of national conceit. My
lance play may be as good as yours"
"Surc, that's not it at ALL The one
who fights dies lighting; 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.
ITS bad sign when man barks
as loudly as Nasca does,' said.
"That's a sound enough argument
when civilization has knocked half the
fighting power out of n man, but it's
just meaningless here. In Drussen.
land a man darent bark unless he can
bite. I'd give 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 | could hardly remain still for
n moment.
The day dawncd bright and sunny,
but with keenness in the mir which
perhaps my nervous excitement exag
Eerated. | woke early and never. sure
ly, have hours been so leaden winged
as they were that morning
I'VE will not be the first to arrive
said Organ. curbing my impotence.
"It would only he to show anxiety"
(which, Of course, we do not feel.
said. with nervous laugh.
We waited in silence until IL was
time to go, and In silence we rode ia
the camp.
Plentiful as the accommodation In
the lists had seemed to me. 1t was evi.
IDENTIFY not too much. Every seat, CIV.
cry point Of vantage, had been taken.
There were two entrances reserved for
the knights who were to take part in
the days proceedings, facing each 9TH
or and shut off from the arena by a
barrier which was only opened to LEI
knight pass in TO combat.
On one side Of the lists was n gallery
in which were the marshal and his
heralds. and opposite n similar gallery
where Princess Daria sat with her ret
inue. My eyes were riveted on this
gallery, but | 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 roar
of welcome came from thousand
throats. Other combats had excited
but my entrance heralded the perform
ance which had brought this crowd TO
gether. AS | rode past the gallery tho
marshal and his attendants rose e
give me courteous welcome. So had
they risen 10 each knight ms he en-
tered the lists. but there was keenel
criticism in their eyes as they rose tC
me. Some friends had among them
some enemies. I could probably have
divided friends from foes by the ex
preston on their faces. kept my
horse well I'm hand. had no desire
now TO show or CALAMITY. The bust
ness before me was too serious and
might all too soon give the lie TO my
warlike appearance Slowly I walked
the horse round the lists until I urns