Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-11-09

the others Wflst. cOuiu no more
have broken down my opponents
guard at that time than ! could have
flown in the air. But brain is more
powerful than Drawn. and patience a
powerful factor in all contests.
l gave way gently-as II forced
then felt toward his point, the two
steels making a soft. oily note too
light to be called a noise, too sinister
to be music; then tested his guard
by a swift disengage and thrust In
seconde. II was perfectly parried, and
a quick return made In fierce, which
latter / avoided because l knew II
would follow was now fairly sure
of his weak point. and determined to
let his body alone and try for his
head and throat.
For a full three minutes We fenced,
and | realized what | was fairly GER
tain of before; that had man whose
skill and mettle were nearer my own
than any one, save my old master.
who had ever honored me with bout.
And strangely enough this gave me
comfort there would be no faint OF
murder il / should kill him.
It was silent work, so far as words
went, until near the end. The soft
sibilance of the smooth steels and the
sharp ring of the parties were the only
sounds that mingled with the plash OF
the small surf coming in from the
broad river If / held any advantage
it was in the fact that La Classe. was
evidently unused to fighting in so un
certain a light, while ! had been train
cd to meet all conditions.
And there were two other important
matters in my favor; first, that was
at least twenty years my opponents
junior, and had the better wind, the
more supple joints; second, that kept
my temper, while he visibly lost his as
he found himself met at all points.
These were matters / would not fail
10 see, as also that his strength was
being well tested; for twice he shifted
his rapier from his right hand to his
left and back again, though he fenced
equally well with either. Without
doubt he was used TO finishing his vic
tins in half the time he had been
fighting with me.
Perhaps ten minutes passed; then
he suddenly leaped out OF reach.
"'Fore God. m'sieur!" he exclaimed
painting. where got you your skill?"
1t was trick TO gain breath, and
one | would not allow him to draw
upon.
From M'sieur Pierre Ledare." I
the truth. "One OF your own country.
men-in fl t, your cousin. and he was
true 10 his native land"
81 know you, sir-and how you
received that scar on your left cheek.
| hope TO place its mate on the right
one. Come, sir! Engaged" l would
not permit him to gather wind.
"Ahai" he exclaimed wrathfully.
you shall soon know me better and
not at all! l might have guessed my
cousin by your plays en- fierce. BY st.
George and st. Louis, hate him! In
you he exists and"
"On guard, sir, else i run you
thro. gh!" interrupted, advancing on
him. BY this all the blood in my BODY
appeared to have gone to my head and
stimulated my brain.
With an access of fury he drove al
me in appel, and so lightning-like were
his movements that ere l could turn
aside his point | felt the thrill OF his
napier as il passed through the flesh OF
my left shoulder, it having been de-
Elected from my heart. But before he
could withdraw his weapon ] saw my
chance, and falling back on the same
passage OF arms by which ] had de-
feated my master, ignored the flesh
wound and sent my weapon straight
at the mans chest, and there was no
steel TO intercept il.
But. there was something else. AS
his eye saw the stroke coming he
threw up his left arm. The act was
quick enough to divert my sword 10
ward, for his wrist caught IL about the
middle, but it was not quick enough To
render the stroke abortive. My steel
travelled along his forearm, going
higher and higher each inch II pro
crossed until the point struck him full
In his barred throat. Well do ! re
member the sense OF JOY mingled with
a feeling OF sickness as pressed lone
the thrust and saw the point Of my
steel enter and pass through his neck.
| could have shouted with horror as
La Classe dropped his weapon and
plucked at my deadly blade, falling >
his knees the while. then he went side.
wise to the sand.
dropped my own rapier; the knight
ran up TO support the wounded man.
but before he was able 10 do so La
Classe, with sudden accession OF
strength. raised himself to his elbow
ant pointed at me.
let not that man ESCAPED he
shouted thickly. by the glor,' OF ST.
Denis, he Is devil from hell, and
Satan is his sponsor! To be killed
and by q boy! Listen! He ia a traitor
mon Dieu-a spy-and she Is with
him she OF the governors house!
Look! II was for this we fought! Let
him not escape-nor her! II is Ain the