The Tupelo journal., 1915-07-23

shals Of France, who were the judges.
The day of the duel was u beautiful
morning in midsummer. Crowds from
Paris began early to pour forth to-
ward the battle-ground. The archers
Of the guard took the place Of mod
ern policemen in keeping the crowd
from breaking through the barrier and
invading the field of battle. The king
arrived, attended by his sister, princes
Of the blood and many mobiles. A sim
gular feature was an executicner and
his assistants, who were intended TO
take charge of the corpse Of the van
pushed. in case he WAS killed, for
hanging on4a gibbet-
As soon as the king was seated the
herald advanced and proclaimed the
combat, asserting that no n should
interfere with either of the combat
ants on peril Of his life. C~hatagnerie
left his tent. accompanied by some 500
of his friends. Jarnac next appeared.
escorted by the grand equerry and 100
gentlemen wearing his colors. The
shields of the combatants were hung
on either side of the king. Then came
the ceremony of the presentation of
the arms. which was principally a test
ing Of the weapons. This having been
accomplished. there was another long
proclamation from the herald, and the
combatants having paraded around the
field. preceded by their arms, after IA
- 80. "a, r~IfnI Annh of
iirmed his cause to he q just me-, they
were conducted to their stations, and
the herald. advancing. shouted. "Lais-
seq alIer les bons combatants.' which
means I'M plain American, Let 'em
go"
Such is a condensation of the prelim-
inarics TO a duel in high life during the
middle of the sixteenth century. The
fight was by no means commensurate
with the preparation. for 1t was de-
cided quickly. The duelists advanced,
Jarnac slowly, protecting himself with
his shield: C~hatagnerie rapidly and
full of confidence. AS o as they
met the latter sprang upon his oppo-
nent. aiming a crushing blow at his
head. .Jarnac. instead of warding of
the blow with his sword. as was to be
expected, received it on his shield and
ducking, made a thrust for his oppo-
nent's legs. He struck C~hatagnerie in
the hollow Of the knee. Before the lat
ter could recover himself larnac re-
peated the thrust Mt the same point
and cut the tendons. giving Il new
phrase to dueling-the coup de Jarnac.
which in those days was not Il foul,
but perfectly legitimate. Chatagnerie
sta ggered. dropped his sword and fell.
the blood flowing from his wound,
\ cry Of amazement greeted this CON
quest Of the champion swordsman of
France within n few seconds by one
who had no especial reputation as Il
man at arms.
BY the code OF that day three courses
were open To the yictor-he might Kill
his oppoLent and hand his body oyeT
to the exeeutioner Ia be hanged: he
might spare his life after ~exacting "A
restoration of his honor by the van
quisied confessing himself to be in en-
ror. or he might surrender him 10 the
king. Jaruac called upon his enemy to
restore him his honor. Chatagnerie's
reply was an tempt to rise. but 1t
failed. .Jarnac. then advancing to the
king, said:
Sire, | entreat you TO esteem NE Il
man Of honor. | give you Chata-
gnerie's life. 1t is our youth alone
which is the cause of this trouble. Let
no imputation rest either on his family
or upou him on ccoun Of his %olfense.
for | surrender him to YOU"
But the king, not realizing that his
Scapegoat was unable to continue the
fight, made no answer. .larpac raised
his eyes to heaven, Lord. | am not
worthy, for it is not to myself. but to
thee, that | owe the victory" Then.
returning 10 Ch|atagnerie. he begged
him to surrender. But the scapegOat.
raising himself on one knee and re-
gaining gfifs lost sword. ~endeavored TO
strike. ,Jarnac stepped back. saying,
DO not move or will kill you"
Kill me" replied the vanquished man
and fell back exhausted from loss of
blood.
Again .Jarnac went 70 the king and
implored him TO give him the victory.
a victory which condemned the king
himself, but Henry refused. Jarnac.
expecting that his former friend would
bleed to death. cried: Sire, he is dy-
inc. For the love of heaven. accept his
life at my hands" Henry, refusing to
pronounce his own condemnation. still
refused till the constable joined his en-
treaties to those of Jarnae. Then
Henry. seeing that the sN1npathies Of
the assembly We're against him. said
To Jarnac. .You have done your duty,
and your honor should be restored to
YOU" And he ordered that Chata-
gnerie be removed. JaIIlac had the
right TO be escorted from the field by
his followers to the sound of martial
music. bat he declined the honor.
When he refused the king. having had