Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-07-21

He even did not hate Mallow at the
moment. The thing about to be done
was to him a test of manhood. 1t was
a call upon the courage of the soul, a
challenge of life, strength and will.
AS Mallow entered the grounds, the
thought of Sheila Llyn crossed Dyck's
mind, and the mental sight of her
gladdened the eyes of his soul. For
one brief instant he stood lost in the
minds look; then he stepped forward,
saluted, shook hands with MallOw,
and DOTTED his coat and waiStcoat
AS he did so, he was conscious of a
curious GOODNESS, even of dampnesS, in
the hand which had shaken that of
Mallow. Mallow's hand had a clammy
touch-clammy, but firm and sure.
There was no tremor in the long, thin
fingers nor at the lips-the thin, as
cetic lips, as of a secret service man
but in his eyes was a dark fire of
purpose. The morning had touched
him, but not as it had thrown over
Dyck its mantle of peace. Mallow also
had enjoyed the smell and feeling of
it all, but with this differenCe-it had
filled him with such material joy that
he could not bear the thought of leav-
ing it. 1t gave him strength of will,
which would add security to his arm
and wrist
Dyck had learned workmanship
with as skilled a master as Ireland
had known, and he had shown, in get
ting knowledge of the weapon, a nat
ural instinct and a capacity worthy of
the highest purpose. He had handled
the sword since he was six, and his
play was better than that of most
men; but this was, in fact, his first
real duel. Many times, of course, in
the process of his training, he had
fought as men fight in duels, but with
this difference-that now he was per-
mitted to disable or kill his foe.
Physically, there was not vast
deal to choose between the two men.
Mallow was lank and tall, nervOusly
self-contained, finely concentrated,
and vigorous. Dyck was broad of
shoulder well set up muscular and
with steadier eye than that Of his
foe. Also, as the combat developed,
it was clear that he had a hand as
steady as his eye. What was more,
his wrist had superb strength and
tleXibility; it was as enduring and
vital as the forefoot and ankle Of
tiger. AS pair they were certainly
notable, and would give a good ac-
count of themselves.
The two men fighting had almost
the air Of gladiators. Their coats
were off, and the white linen of their
shirts looked gracious; while the up
raised left hand of the fighters bal
ancing the sword-thrust and the
weight of the body had an almost sin
gular beauty. OF the two, Dyck was
the more graceful, the steadier, the
quicker in his motions. His mOmen-
tary vision of Sheila Llyn remained
with him-not as vision, rather as
warmth in his inmost being, some
thing which made him intensely alert,
cheerful, defiant, exactly skillful
He had need of all his skill, for
Mallow was set to win the fight He
felt instinctively what was working
in Dycks mind. He had fought a
number of duels, and with certain
trick or art he had given the end to
the lives of several. He became con,
scious, however, that Dyck had par
ticular stroke in mind, which he him
self was preventing by masterful
methods. 1t might be one thing or an
other, but in view Of Dyck's training
it would perhaps be the Enniscorthy
touch.
Again and again Dyck pressed his
antagonist backward, seeking to mud
die his defense and to clear an open
ing for his own deadly stroke but the
other man also was a master, and
parted successfully.
Presently, with a quick move, NAL
low took the offensive, and tried to
unsettle Dycks poise and disorganize
his battle-plan. For an instant the
tempestuous action, the brilliant,
swift play Of the sword the quivering
! tlippancy of the steel, gave Dyck that
which almost disconnected him. Yet
he had grip of himself, and was for
tunate to preserve his defense intact -;
though once his enemy's steel caught
his left shoulder, making it bleed. The
seconds, however, decided that the
thrust was not serious, and made no
attempt to interrupt the combat. y
Dyck's tactics changed. Once again
! he became aggressive, and he drove
1 his foe to point where the skill of
both men was tried to the uttermost.
1t was clear the time had come for
something definite. Suddenly Dyck
threw himself back with an agile step
lunged slightly to one side, and then
in gallant foray got the steel point
into the sword-arm of his enemy. That
was the Enniscorthy stroke, which
had been taught him by William
Tandy, the expert swordsman, and
had been made famous by Lord Well
ing Of Enniscorthy. 1t succeeded, and
1t gave Dyck the victory, for Mallow's