Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-10-18

II think you ire In my power, air."
I said.
"'Fore God, but I am beatenl" he
exclaimed. II am at your mercy. sir.
! But, by helrs angels, It's q trick you
could not play twice. Small credit to
you. Isay, for was OF my guard!"
II behooves man to be on his
guard during . duel, SIR" I returned.
Pick up your steel I'll honor you
with another bout; and II you have
he matter Of ten pounds about you,
m cover Il and wager that I disarm
you or split your ear in less than five
minutes" ea u.
Thou art q braggart!" cried the
man called Bally, who stood by the
door to prevent interference. "rll
take that same wager; you may all
bear witness. MerYin. you can out
point that chap. Win me my money.
and show him that boast is q poor
boost"
"By aads blood. I'll take OF my
hat to him and let him walk on me II
he can either duplicate the trick or
draw blood from my ear. was care
less before. The thing was an acci.
dent"
As he spoke he bent for his sword
which lay on the floor. and in a mo-
ment more we were again at 1t, fully
realizing that I had taken a large bit
Of work. However, had marked the
trail. had threatened his ear in or
der to make him fence high.
And after all, the matter was easy.
for 1t was we'll within three minutes
that wounded him in the ear, which
70 infuriated him that he fenced wild
ly. A few passes Letter his sword went
flying from his hand, landing among
the bottles in tho bar. had perform.
Cd the identical trick again.
don't know what might have hap.
pened then, but while tho disarmed
man stood like one paralyzed, and his
companions were speechless, the door
opened and there entered British
ofncer.
knew him instantly; he was the
man whom had seen sitting with
General Simcoe while was telling my
story the night before. He was now
IN full dress uniform, and bore the
sarmarks of major.
"Whats this7" he demanded, look. |
ing around the room and noting the
ruffled features OF the inmates all
standing, sword IN hand, save Merwln
and Selfridge. "What's thisf / say.
Gentlemen. you, know the orders
against dueling."
"A mere pastime and no gore!" said |
selfridge, flinging careless salute. |
TT came from Captain Merwin twit. |
ting Lieutenant Melton about his in.
ability to use toasting fork, and they |
were proving 1t up. You should have |
seen the way Melton-I seconded him
twice disarmed-"
Melton! Lieutenant Melton!" in
terrupted the major. Il didn't recog.
nize you. at first. I'm in luck! was
looking for you. have Just come
from General Arnold, where was re.
peating your report to General Sim.
coe. General Arnold asked me 10 seek !
you out, and request you to report to |
him at once at his Quartetrs at No. 8
him at orce at his quarters at No. 3
away, you will be unable to report to |
Colonel Durand. Go to Arnold at once,
lieutenant He assured me 1t would
be worth your while II you arrive
within the hour"
Here was facer. For a moment |
II seemed as II the solid earth had
been cut from beneath my feet. felt |
horrible sinking in my stomach; aye
for the matter of q few seconds |
was a veritable coward, and without |
the wit to answer the man who stood |
In his gorgeous array and looked at |
me. To those In the room had sud |
denly come to be an object OF respect.
No one moved.
The first question that entered my |
befuddled brain was: Did Arnold |
know Melton? / could not tell; but |
the remark anent it being wcrth my
while TO appear within the hour mao.
me think that the chances were that |
be did. And then the desperate idea
entered my head Of pretending to con-
sent, going out, and running TO some
cover until / got tine to think; but |
even that idea was shattered by the |
well-meaning Selfridge. who spoke up.
"Egad, and III go with you. Melton!
want General Arnold to know that |
had large finger in the pie. There |
will be no objection eh. major?"
ION the contrary. / am glad you
will escort him, for ] cannot. You
may Introduce Lieutenant Melton, and
doubtless the general will be interest
ed in your part Of the story. am
somewhat hurried. Good day, gentle. |
men,"
And with that, the officer flung a
salute to the company and went out. |
took a breath of relief Then,
after ALL il Selfrldee was to introduce
sme, the chances were that Melton was
not personally known to the great |
fraitnr p,t hot ha A.,l