The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-17

Copyright. 1907. by R. F. Fenno & Co. by blow which seemed to strike me full in the body. I reeled backward. but my horse, being thrown upon his launches, saved me, and with a mighty effort 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 stflI in the saddle, and to see that both our lances were bro ken short to the handle. My blow had been as fierce as his. Victory was with neither of us yet.
 A great roar of applause arose around us as we passed to opposite sides of the lists.
 Both of us had to be given a fresh lance, and probably the count. like myself, felt the need of recovering himself a little before again rushing to the onslaught had no Knowledge of how much of this kind of thing he could stand without showing signs of weakness. but I was perfectly sure that another blow like the last would be quite enough for me.
 Even now we seemed a long time reaching each other, and my eyes re- fused to see my enemy clearly 1as he came, yet felt that he, too, wished to end the combat; that he, too, was bent on making a desperate endeavor. Gathering all my strength together, I rushed to meet him. and even as did so remembered O'Ryan's advice. Perhaps even at that late moment I feared to receive such a blow as the last, but whatever the motive was that decided me acted upon the ad- vice. I slightly checked my pace, and as we met I swerved a little and lev eled my lance at Vasca's helmet. The sudden action made me reel, and had the counts lance struck me then 1 should have been unhorsed- But for tune favored me. Vasca attempted to alter his course in a similar manner, but his horse, going faster than mine, stumbled forward. His lance missed me altogether, while mine only struck him. lightly. It was not my blow that unseated him, put his stumbling charger. The count made a frantic 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. Who could tell how the count had fallen? :? The fact remained that, while he roll ed in the dust, I remained in the sad dle. So they shouted as men will at victory, satisfied and jubilant.
 ..Sir VerraIl! Sir Verra1l! The Knight of the Silver StarY'
 The count struggled to his feet.
 "A stumbling steed is no knights RrT, T,<,- Ea1 -s<.s7 'tOr on foot, Sir VerralI, as you will"
 I sat still and mute. As through a mist saw waving hands in the gal leries; as through a thick fog heard my name and Vasca's.
 The sharp note of a bugle aroused me somewhat. For an instant fan cied it the summons to another charge and turned my horse mechanically. But there was other business in hand A blare of trumpets had summoned to the mimic battle, but this was one sharp, long drawn note, a note of alarm always in Drussen1and. The shouting ceased: hands no longer waved. I think saw the princess rise and leave her gallery suddenly. know that there was a mass of movement on all sides of the lists. Knights and soldiers rushed across the turf, and I was borne along with them to the bar Her.
 eATo arms! To armsP' was now the cry on every side.
 ,sBravely done, Sir verral1E' And saw O'Ryan press toward me through the crowd
 "What is it?" I said almost in a whisper.
 'eFaith, it's what suits us best-real fighting. The enemy are in force be- fore the town"
 "I-I''- And then I should have slip ped from my saddle had not O'Ryan literally lifted me to the ground.
 The excitement at the news of com ing conflict was so great that fortu- nately little notice was taken Of me, and O'Ryan managed to get me away quietly. He piled me with more wine.
 Do you want to rob me of what little sense haveT I said.
 Anything, to make you sleep for few hours," O'Ryan answered. "You have short time to rest before we go out against the enemy"
 Did any one notice that fainted?'
 "No; took care of that. Not soul knows but what you were still full of light when the summons to more se- Yious business came-more serious, that is, to some. but far less to us, Verrall."
 "You laughed this morning when spoke of 1uck-''
 .Luclk. Don't say-the word. Sure.