Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-20

Tue morse round the lists until was
opposite the gallery In which Princess
Daria sat.
The princess rose. and l saluted her
gravely, wondering II Mt that moment
the same thought ran through both our
Dra1ns-the thought Of the handker-
chier which she had given and which
even then was lying close to my heart.
Then l rode back and stood beneath
the marshal's gallery.
"Heralds. sound the challenge Of the
Knight Of the Silver Star-once!' he
cried.
The trumpets' music filled the air.
and before the echoes had died among
the hills the barrier at the opposite
side OF the lists to which I had enter
ed was thrown open. and Count vasca
rode into the arena.
Il accept the challenge he cried,
and then. approaching me. he said in
a lower voice: mo love creeps into
u combat, Sir Verrall. You have
willed that it shall be for honor"
For honor, Count vasca. and for
love, too, If you WILL" l answered de-
family.
~ SooA u ulneTcHt tdlCs DduKGT
gives increasing beauty to a fair face
likely to be lost"
1T Is rather to challenge you to
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.
ITO achievement, knights!" cried the
herald. Sound t%rumpets!'
AS the blast rang out | turned my
horse, and the next moment the count
and l We're rushing madly at each 9TH
er. In that instant my mind was q
blank. Action had driven out even
the thought Of fear. We met. His
lance shivered against my shield. a
blow which shook me, but did not
make me reel in the saddle. Either
my aim was untrue or he avoided the
blow. for my lance only glanced along
his armor, and l continued my rush
toward the opposite side Of the lists.
Perhaps there was some surprise that
| was still in the saddle. n satisfac-
ton that the combat was not to be q
sided affair, that If not all | claim.
ed to be l was at least no craven car
pet knight. At any rate. a cheer rang
out, and l felt encouraged.
Turning, l saw that the count had
been supplied with another lance and
was ready to charge again. There was
a moments pause; hen the trumpets
sounded. End once more we rushed
upon each other. The spirit Of battle
was upon me. l had more confidence,
and dug the spurs into my horse.
leaning forward to the charge.
hardly knew what had happened,
brought as was to a sudden ~standstill
by a blow which seemed to strike me
full in the body. l reeled backward,
but my horse. being thrown upon his
launches. saved me, and with a
mighty effort l succeeded in keeping
my seat As my horse struggled up ]
regained my full consciousness. to find
Vasca's horse also struggling to his
feet, his rider still IN the saddle. and
to see that both our unces were bro
: ken short to the handle. My blow had
} been as fierce as his. Victory was
5 with neither of us yet.
| A great roar Of applause arose
around us as we passed to opposite
5 sides of the lists.
Both of us had to be given II fresh
t lance. and probably the count, like
> myself. felt the need of recovering
5 himself q little before again rushing
to the onslaught. | had no knowledge
J of how much of this kind of thing he
could stand without showing signs OF
weakness. but | WAS perfectly sure
that another blow like the last would
be quite enough for me.
Even 0 we seemed IA long time
j, reaching each other, and my eye re
fused to see my enemy clearly as he
came. yet | felt that he, 90. wished
!. to end the combat; that he. too. was
+ bent on making a desperate endeavor
Gathering all my strength together,
rushed to meet him, and even us | die
so | remembered Organs advice
Perhaps ever at that late moment
feared to receive such Il blow as thu
last, but whatever the motive was
that decided me | acted upon the ad
: vice. | slightly checked my pace, ant
as we met | swerved n little and lev
eled my lance at Vasca's helmet. Tit
sudden action made ME reel, and hat
the counts lance struck me then
. should have been endorsed. But for
" tune favored me. Vasca attempted Il
alter his course in a similar manner
!, but his horse. going faster than mine
stumbled forward. His lance misset
me altogether, while mine only struc
r him lightly. 1t was not my blow tina
II unseated him. but his stumblin;
charger. The count made a franti
a effort to keep his horse from falling
# but in vain, and he rolled heavily from
his saddle to the ground.
Shout after shout rent the air. WIN