Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 123: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VIALS OF HATE. a match, whereby the other brother’s scheme might be set awry. ““T’ve fenced a little myself,”’ Louis pro- ceeded, “and of all swordsmen I’ve met, Spaniards, instead of being the best, as you say, were the poorest. ness, finesse. They are heavy of hand, and a broad-sword would much better suit their. style, as it would the Germans’. What they know, they have copied from the French or Italians—and copied it badly, I swear. But I presume that to you they appeared won- derful because of your inexperience.” “What, you doubt that I can fence?” Barbanera cried. “No. I give you credit for knowing the rudiments, but my doubt extends, I confess, to your ability to go beyond that.” The cavernous-eyed José sprang to his feet. . ~ ‘“ Had we swords here I should teach you proper respect for one who’s your better, my fledgling,” he thundered. “ Dios, for a country rice-grower,to play judge and critic of the man who dazzled Havana, and Cuba, and all the western world with his magnifi- cent prowess! I call upon Heaven to wit- ness that never was there such ignorance and presumption. Bah! why should I, José Barbanera, a famous duelist, a swordsman without a peer, one before whom others grow pale when he bares his blade, harken to such childish words?” He again sat down upon the box, and if he had had a cloak Gaillard imagined that he would have wrapped himself in it in true Spanish scorn. ““T would gladly meet you.’” “You would fall dead at my first thrust,” Barbanera responded contemptuously. . “ I'd give you five thousand dollars if you so much as pricked my skin in an hour.” The Cuban flung back his head and burst into a great laugh, disclosing a wide mouth and long, fanglike teeth. His laugh- ter lasted for quite a full minute, while the empty mansion answered with echoing sounds as if invisible, derisive spirits were joining in his mirth. “You'll be the death of me with your silly talk, you,” he exclaimed at last. “Td be the death of you if we were fighting.” 8 Arcosy They lack adroit-_ 113 ‘“‘ All Frenchmen are braggarts and cow- ards,” said the other. “ Ha, ha, ha! The idea of putting a sword in your hand and amusing myself with you begins to grow: in my mind. Truly it does. As a cat plays with a mouse, so would I play with you, until at length when I was weary of the sport I would spit you on my poirt. There would be more satisfaction in that method than in my brother Emilio’s plan of de- positing you in the marsh to supply the mesquitoes with a meal. “T, José Barbanera, should be the mos- quito, and my sword should be the bill- with which to penetrate your body and drink your blood. Ha! I’ll propose it to Emilio.” And he began to stroke his long mustache that in size would have stirred the admiration of Don Quixote. ‘ The notion is very agreeable to me also, friend José. Then I should learn whether in truth a Cuban has the making of a first- rate fencer. I agree to teach you, moreover, such important details of the art as you lack—if you survive.” “Survive, o-ho!” . Again Barbanera laughed. s “If your brother would bring weapons here we could try our respective skills without delay. When there is a difference of opinion of this nature between two gen- tlemen, the quicker it’s settled the better.” “An excellent idea. But first, my dear fellow, there are papers which you must sign.” And the speaker regarded Gaillard with a crafty look. ; “Yow re still determined on that?” ‘* Absolutely.” . “IT might agree to make the property a stake,” “In what way?” ‘ By wagering it on our contest. If you defeat me, then the property should be deeded over to you without condition—yes, I might even consider that. But there should be a provision also that I go free.” “But I should kill you. How then could you deed the property to me? A dead man ean’t write his name on a paper.” “Nay. But if you are what you claim, you should be able merely to wound me so as not to prevent me from writing, or, in- deed, simply disarm me. Then.you would cCOomiclbooks.com