Part 23 (1/2)

”Primarily, yes, but before we go further into the matter of the sword, I wish to ask you a favor.”

”Ask a dozen, Lennox. We've been companions of the voyage and your quarrel with de Mezy does not arouse any hostility in me.”

”I felt that it was so, and for that reason I ask the favor. We are strangers in Quebec. We did not come here to seek trouble with anybody, and so I ask you to be a second for me in this affair with de Mezy. Dave and Tayoga, of course, would act, but at the present juncture, ours being an errand of peace and not of war, I'd prefer Frenchmen.”

”Gladly I'll serve you, Lennox, since you indicate that you're a swordsman and are not going to certain death, and I'll bring with me in the morning a trusty friend, Armand Glandelet, one of our _honnetes gens_ who likes de Mezy as little as I do.”

”I thank you much, my good friend. I knew you would accept, and if all are willing I suggest that we go back now to the Inn of the Eagle.”

”A little trial of the sword in your room would not hurt,” said de Galisonniere.

”That's a good suggestion,” said Willet. ”A few turns will show whether your wrists and your arms and your back are all right. You come with us, of course, Captain de Galisonniere.”

They went to their large room, Captain de Galisonniere procuring on the way two b.u.t.tons for rapiers from Monsieur Berryer--it seemed that duels were not uncommon in Quebec--and Willet and Robert, taking off their coats and waistcoats, faced each other in the light of two large candles. The young Frenchman watched them critically. He had a.s.sisted at many affairs of honor in both Quebec and Montreal and he knew the build of a swordsman when he saw one. When Robert stood in his s.h.i.+rt sleeves he noted his powerful chest and shoulders and arms, and then his eyes traveling to the marvelous wrists were arrested there. He drew in his breath as he saw, from the way in which Robert flexed them for a moment or two that they were like wrought steel.

”If this lad has been taught as they indicate he has, our ruffling bully, Jean de Mezy, is in for a bad half hour,” he said to himself.

Then he looked at Willet, built heavily, with great shoulders and chest, but with all the spring and activity of a young man. His glance pa.s.sed on to Tayoga, the young Onondaga, in all the splendor of his forest attire, standing by the wall, his eyes calm and fathomless. It occurred all at once to Captain de Galisonniere that he was in the presence of an extraordinary three, each remarkable in his own way, and, liking the unusual, his interest in them deepened. It did not matter that they were his official enemies, because on the other hand they were his personal friends.

”Now, Robert,” said Willet, ”watch my eye, because I'm going to put you to a severe test. Ready?”

”Aye, ready, sir!” replied Robert, speaking like a pupil to his master.

Then the two advanced toward the center of the room and faced each other, raising their slim swords which flashed in the flame of the candles like thin lines of light. Then Willet thrust like lightning, but his blade slipped off Robert's, and young Lennox thrust back only to have his own weapon caught on the other.

”Ah,” exclaimed the gallant Frenchman. ”Well done! Well done for both!”

Then he held his breath as the play of the swords became so fast that the eye could scarcely follow. They made vivid lines, and steel flashed upon steel with such speed that at times the ringing sound seemed continuous. Willet's agility was amazing. Despite his size and weight he was as swift and graceful as a dancing master, and the power of his wrist was wonderful. The amazement of young de Galisonniere increased.

He had seen the best swordsmans.h.i.+p in Quebec, and he had seen the best swordsmans.h.i.+p in Paris, but he had never seen better swordsmans.h.i.+p than that shown in a room of the Inn of the Eagle by a man whom he had taken to be a mere hunter in the American wilderness.

De Galisonniere was an artist with the sword himself, and he knew swordsmans.h.i.+p when he saw it. He knew, too, that Lennox was but little inferior to Willet. He saw that the older man was not sparing the youth, that he was incessantly beating against the strongest parts of his defense, and that he was continually seeking out his weakest. Robert was driven around and around the room, and yet Willet did not once break through his guard.

”Ah, beautiful! beautiful!” exclaimed the Frenchman. ”I did not know that such swordsmen could come out of the woods!”

His eyes met those of the Onondaga and for the first time he saw a gleam in their dark depths.

”Their swords are alive,” said Tayoga. ”They are living streaks of flame.”

”That describes it, my friend,” said de Galisonniere. ”I shall be proud to be one of the seconds of Mr. Lennox in the morning.”

Willet suddenly dropped the b.u.t.toned point of his rapier and raised his left hand.

”Enough, Robert,” he said, ”I can't allow you to tire yourself tonight, and run the risk of stiffening in the wrist tomorrow. In strength you are superior to de Mezy, and in wind far better. You should have no trouble with him. Watch his eye and stand for a while on the defensive.

One of his habits, will soon wear himself down, and then he will be at your mercy.”

”You are a wonderful swordsman, Mr. Willet,” said de Galisonniere, frank in his admiration. ”I did not think such skill, such power and such a variety in attack and defense could be learned outside of Paris.”

”Perhaps not!” said Willet, smiling. ”The greatest masters of the sword in the world teach in Paris, and it was there that I learned what I know.”

”What, you have been in Paris?”