Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-10-19

ABROAD. MOI tnat i was LOO coiiuuoA'
that could easily defeat my man be-
cause Ledare had told me / was skill
full; nay, / never yet crossed sw ords
in sport or In hot blood without giving
my opponent credit for great ability
until had tested him. and worked as
II he were an expert. Perhaps this is
one reason why have been fairly
successful.
A space being cleared by pushing
back the tables, Merwin stepped out
as II anxious to have the matter over,
and moment later our swords cross
ed. Anu no sooner had he made his
first disengage and thrust at me en-
tierce than knew ! had him at my
/ mercy. For. though in form Of salute
and parade he was perfect, and, too,
might have been dangerous with a
broadsword where 1t comes to cut and
slash. in the finer points of the decay
ing art OF fencing he had been but half
taught. and was but novice. having
not yet progressed beyond defending
himself from the simplest attacks.
him fairly in that.
But ! could have laughed at his
fierce aspect. at his stamps in appel.
at his sidewise leaps. and at the many
openings he gave me. In short, !
could have placed my point betwixt
any two of his ribs had chosen; but
/ had not the least feeling against the
man, who was some three or four
years my senior.
Presently he gave me the chance
desired. and with a quick twist /
wound my blade around his. caught
my point on his hilt. and whirled the
rapier from his hand.
Had the roof fallen. he could not
have been more astonished.
II think you re in my power. sir"
I sad.
"'Fore God, but am beatenl" he
exclaimed. II am at your mercy. sir.
But. by helps angels, tbs a trick you
could not play twice. Small credit to
you. I say. for ! was OF my guard"
1T behooves a man to be on his
guard during a duel, SIR" returned.
"Pick up your steel. I'll honor you
with another bout; and II you have
the matter of ten pounds about you.
I'll cover il and wager that / disarm
you or split your ear In less than five
minutes"
Thou art a braggart!" cried the
man called Bally. who stood by the
door to prevent interference. "Tll
take that same wager: you may all
bear witness. Merwin, you can out.
point that chap. Win me my money.
and show him that boast Is a poor
boost"
by Gad's blood, I'll take or 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 acct.
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 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 II was well within three minutes
that / wounded him in the ear, which
SO Infatuated him that he fenced wild
ly. A few passes later his sword went
flying from his hand, landing among
the bottles in the bar. had perform
ed the identical trick again.
don't know what might have hap
pened then, but while the disarmed
man stood like one paralyzed, and his
companions were speechless, the door
opened and there entered British
ohicer.
I knew him instantly; he was the
man whom I had seen sitting with
General Simcoe while was telling my
story the night before. He was now
in q full dress uniform, and bore the
earmarks Of q major.
What's this?" he demanded, look
ing around the room and noting the
ruffled features of the inmates, all
standing, sword in hand, save Merwin
and Selfridge. What's this? l say.
Gentlemen. you know the orders
against dueling."
"A mere pastime and no gore!" said
Selfridge. flinging a careless salute.
1T 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
tsrrupted the major. II 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
eoe. General Arnold asked me to seek
you out, and request you to report to
him at once at his QUARTERS at No. 3
him at once 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 II would
be worth your while II you arrive
within the hour"
Here was a facer. For a moment