Part 4 (1/2)

”The first home thrust wins,” whispered Acour to him, as he wiped the blood of the swan off his sleeve. ”Thank G.o.d, your son's sword is the longer!”

Perhaps the pair heard this whisper, or, perhaps, being without mail, they knew that it was so. At least for a while they circled round and round each other, but out of reach.

Then at length John Clavering rushed in and thrust. Hugh sprang back before his point. Again he rushed and thrust and again Hugh sprang back. A third time and Hugh fairly ran, whereon a shout went up from the Claverings.

”The chapman's afraid!” cried one. ”Give him a yard measure,” shouted another; ”he cannot handle steel!”

Eve turned her face, and her very eyes were sick with doubt.

”Is it true?” she gasped.

”Ay,” answered d.i.c.k the Archer, ”it's true that he draws him to the river bank! Those who wait will learn why. Oh, the swan! He sees not the swan!”

As he spoke, Hugh, in his retreat before another of John Clavering's rushes, struck his foot against the great dead bird, and staggered. John leapt upon him, and he went down.

”Is he pierced?” muttered Eve.

”Nay, missed,” answered d.i.c.k, ”by half an inch. Ah, I thought so!”

As the words left his lips Clavering fell sprawling on his back, for Hugh had caught his leg with his left arm and thrown him, so that they lay both together on the ground.

There they closed, rolling over each other, but too close to stab.

”Now good-night, John,” said d.i.c.k, with his hoa.r.s.e chuckle. ”Throat him, master--throat him!”

The flurry in the snow was at an end. John lay on his back, de Cressi knelt on him and lifted his short sword.

”Do you yield?” men heard him say.

”Nay,” answered Clavering. Then suddenly Hugh rose and suffered his adversary to do likewise.

”I'll not stick you like a hog!” he said, and some cried, ”Well done!”

for the act seemed n.o.ble. Only Acour muttered, ”Fool!”

Next instant they were at it again, but this time it was Hugh who attacked and John who gave back right to the river's edge, for skill and courage seemed to fail him at once.

”Turn your head, lady,” said d.i.c.k, ”for now one must die.” But Eve could not.

The swords flashed for the last time in the red light, then that of de Cressi vanished. Clavering threw his arms wide, and fell backward. A splash as of a great stone thrown into water, and all was done.

Hugh stood a moment on the river's bank, staring at the stream beneath; then he turned and began to walk slowly toward the dead swan.

Ere ever he reached it Sir John Clavering fell from his horse in a swoon, and a shout of rage went up from all his people.

”Kill him!” they yelled, and leapt forward.

Now Hugh understood, and ran for the point of land. One man, a Frenchman, got in front of him. He cut him down, and sped on.

”What now?” said Eve, as he joined them.