by G. A. Henty
Chapter 9: The Duel.
Great was the excitement in the 5th Dragoons when, upon the arrivalof Rupert and Hugh--the former of whom was able to ride, but thelatter was carried by on a stretcher--they learned the attack whichhad been made upon one of their officers. The "Little Cornet" was ageneral favourite, short as was the time since he had joined; whileHugh was greatly liked by the men of his own troop. Rupert'scolonel at once sent for him, to learn the particulars of theoutrage. Rupert was unable to give farther particulars as to hisassailants than that they were German soldiers; that much the dimlight had permitted him to see, but more than that he could notsay. He stated his reasons for believing Sir Richard Fulke was theoriginator of the attack, since he had had a quarrel with him inEngland, but owned that, beyond suspicions, he had no proof. Thecolonel at once rode down to headquarters, and laid a complaintbefore the Earl of Athlone, who promised that he would cause everyinquiry to be made. Then the general commanding the Hessecontingent was communicated with, and the colonel of the cavalryregiment to which Sir Richard Fulke belonged was sent for.
He stated that Captain Fulke had been away on leave of absence forthree days, and that he had gone to England. The regiment was,however, paraded, and it was found that five troopers were missing.No inquiry, however, could elicit from any of the others aconfession that they had been engaged in any fray, and as all werereported as having been in by ten o'clock, except the five missingmen, there was no clue as to the parties engaged. The five menmight have deserted, but the grounds for suspicion were verystrong. Still, as no proof could be obtained, the matter wassuffered to drop.
The affair caused, however, much bad feeling between the tworegiments, and the men engaged in affrays when they met, until theorder was issued that they should only be allowed leave into thetown on alternate days. This ill feeling spread, however, beyondthe regiments concerned. There had already been a good deal ofjealousy upon the part of the Continental troops of the honourgained by the British in being first in at the breaches of Venlooand Liege, and this feeling was now much embittered. Duels betweenthe officers became matters of frequent occurrence, in spite of thestrict orders issued against that practice.
As Rupert had anticipated, the letter by which he had beenentrapped turned out a forgery. Lord Fairholm was extremelyindignant when he heard the use that had been made of his name, andat once made inquiries as to the trooper who had carried the noteto Rupert. This man he found without difficulty; upon beingquestioned, he stated that he had just returned from carrying amessage when he was accosted by a German officer who offered him acouple of marks to carry a letter up to an officer of the 5thdragoons. Thinking that there was no harm in doing so, he had atonce accepted the offer. Upon being asked if he could recognize theofficer if he saw him, he replied that he had scarcely noticed hisface, and did not think that he could pick him out from others.
The first three or four duels which took place had not beenattended with fatal result; but about three weeks after theoccurrence of the attack on Rupert, Captain Muller, who had beenaway on leave, returned, and publicly announced his intention ofavenging the insult to his regiment by insulting and killing one ofthe officers of the 5th dragoons.
The report of the threat caused some uneasiness among the officers,for the fellow's reputation as a swordsman and notorious duellistwas so well known, that it was felt that any one whom he mightselect as his antagonist would be as good as a dead man. Aproposition was started to report the matter to the general, butthis was decisively negatived, as it would have looked like arequest for protection, and would so affect the honour of theregiment.
There was the satisfaction that but one victim could be slain, forthe aggressor in a fatal duel was sure to be punished by removalinto some corps stationed at a distance.
Rupert was silent during these discussions, but he silentlydetermined that he would, if the opportunity offered, take up thegauntlet, for he argued that he was the primary cause of the feud;and remembering the words of Monsieur Dessin and Maitre Dalboy, hethought that, skillful a swordsman as Muller might be, he would yethave at least a fair chance of victory, while he knew that so muchcould not be said for any of the other officers of his regiment.
The opportunity occurred two days later. Rupert, with his friendDillon, went down to the large saloon, which was the usualrendezvous with his friends Fairholm and Loveday. The place wascrowded with officers, but Rupert soon perceived his friends,sitting at a small table. He and Dillon placed two chairs therealso, and were engaged in conversation when a sudden lull in thebuzz of talk caused them to look up.
Captain Muller had just entered the saloon with a friend, and thelull was caused by curiosity. As his boast had been the matter ofpublic talk; and as all noticed that two officers of the 5th werepresent, it was anticipated that a scene would ensue.
A glance at Dillon's face showed that the blood had left his cheek;for, brave as the Irishman was, the prospect of being killed like adog by this native swordsman could not but be terrible to him, andhe did not doubt for a moment that he would be selected. CaptainMuller walked leisurely up to the bar, drank off a bumper of rawGeneva, and then turned and looked round the room. As his eyes fellon the uniform of the 5th, a look of satisfaction came over hisface, and fixing his eyes on Dillon, he walked leisurely across theroom.
Rupert happened to be sitting on the outside of the table, and heat once rose and as calmly advanced towards the German.
There was now a dead silence in the room, and all listened intentlyto hear what the lad had to say to the duellist. Rupert spokefirst; and although he did not raise his voice in the slightest,not a sound was lost from one end of the room to the other.
"Captain Muller," he said, "I hear that you have made a boast thatyou will kill the first officer of my regiment whom you met. I am,I think, the first, and you have now the opportunity of provingwhether you are a mere cutthroat, or a liar."
A perfect gasp of astonishment was heard in the room. Dillon leaptto his feet, exclaiming, "No, Rupert, I will not allow it! I amyour senior officer."
And the gallant fellow would have pushed forward, had not LordFairholm put his hand on his shoulder and forced him back, saying:
"Leave him alone; he knows what he is doing."
The German took a step back, with a hoarse exclamation of rage andsurprise at Rupert's address, and put his hand to his sword. Then,making a great effort to master his fury, he said:
"You are safe in crowing loud, little cockerel; but Captain Mullerdoes not fight with boys."
A murmur of approval ran round the room; for the prospect of thislad standing up to be killed by so noted a swordsman was painfulalike to the German and English officers present.
"The same spirit appears to animate you and your friend Sir RichardFulke," Rupert said quietly. "He did not care about fighting a boy,and so employed a dozen of his soldiers to murder him."
"It is a lie!" the captain thundered, "Beware, young sir, how youtempt me too far."
"You know it is not a lie," Rupert said calmly. "I know he told youhe was afraid to fight me, for that I was more than his match; andit seems to me, sir, that this seeming pity for my youth is a merecover of the fact that you would rather choose as your victimsomeone less skilled in fence than I happen to be. Are you acoward, too, sir, as well as a ruffian?"
"Enough!" the German gasped.
"Swartzberg," he said, turning to his friend, "make thearrangements; for I vow I will kill this insolent puppy in themorning."
Lord Fairholm at once stepped forward to the Hessian captain.
"I shall have the honour to act as Mr. Holliday's second. Here ismy card. I shall be at home all the evening."
Rupert now resumed his seat, while Captain Muller and his friendmoved to the other end of the saloon. Here he was surrounded by anumber of German officers, who endeavoured to dissuade him fromfighting a duel in which the killing of his adversary would becondemned by the whole army as child murder.
"Child or not," he said fero
ciously, "he dies tomorrow. You thinkhe was mad to insult me. It was conceit, not madness. His head isturned; a fencing master once praised his skill at fence, and hethinks himself a match for me--me! the best swordsman, though I sayit, in the German army. No, I would not have forced a quarrel onhim, for he is beneath my notice; but I am right glad that he hastaken up the glove I meant to throw down to his fellow. In killinghim I shall not only have punished the only person who has for manyyears ventured to insult Otto Muller, but I shall have done aservice to a friend."
No sooner had Rupert regained his seat than Dillon exclaimed,"Rupert, I shall never forgive myself. Others think you are mad,but I know that you sacrifice yourself to save me.
"You did me an ill service, my lord," he said, turning to LordFairholm, "by holding me back when I would have taken my properplace. I shall never hold up my head again. But it will not be forlong, for when he has killed Rupert I will seek him wherever he maygo, and force him to kill me, too."
"My dear Dillon, I knew what I was doing," Lord Fairholm said. "Itwas clear that either he or you had to meet this German cutthroat."
"But," Dillon asked, in astonishment, "why would you rather thatyour friend Rupert should be killed than I?"
"You are not putting the case fairly," Lord Fairholm said. "Did itstand so, I should certainly prefer that you should run this riskthan that Rupert should do so. But the case stands thus. In thefirst place, it is really his quarrel; and in the second, while itis certain that this German could kill you without fail, it is byno means certain that he will kill Rupert."
Dillon's eyes opened with astonishment.
"Not kill him! Do you think that he will spare him after the way hehas been insulted before all of us?"
"No, there is little chance of that. It is his power, not his will,that I doubt. I do not feel certain; far from it, I regard theissue as doubtful; and yet I feel a strong confidence in theresult; for you must know, Master Dillon, that Rupert Holliday, boyas he is, is probably the best swordsman in the British army."
"Rupert Holliday!" ejaculated Dillon, incredulously.
Lord Fairholm nodded.
"It is as I say, Dillon; and although they say this German is alsothe best in his, his people are in no way famous that way. Had itbeen with the best swordsman in the French army that Rupert had tofight, my mind would be less at ease.
"But come now, we have finished our liquor and may as well be off.We are the centre of all eyes here, and it is not pleasant to be ageneral object of pity, even when that pity is ill bestowed.Besides, I have promised to be at home to wait for Muller's second.
"I will come round to your quarters, Rupert, when I have arrangedtime and place."
The calm and assured manner of Rupert's two friends did more toconvince Dillon that they were speaking in earnest, and that theyreally had confidence in Rupert's skill, than any asseveration ontheir part could have done, but he was still astounded at the newsthat this boy friend of his, who had never even mentioned that hecould fence, could by any possibility be not only a first-rateswordsman, but actually a fair match for this noted duellist.
Upon the way up to the barracks, Rupert persuaded his friend to saynothing as to his skill, but it was found impossible to remainsilent, for when the officers heard of the approaching duel therewas a universal cry of indignation, and the colonel at once avowedhis intention of riding off to Lord Athlone to request him to put astop to a duel which could be nothing short of murder.
"The honour of the regiment shall not suffer," he said, sternly,"for I myself will meet this German cutthroat."
Seeing that his colonel was resolute, Rupert made a sign to Dillonthat he might speak, and he accordingly related to his astonishedcomrades the substance of what Lord Fairholm had told him. Rupert'sbrother officers could not believe the news; but Rupert suggestedthat the matter could be easily settled if some foils were brought,adding that half-an-hour's fencing would be useful to him, and gethis hand into work again. The proposal was agreed to, and first oneand then another of those recognized as the best swordsmen of theregiment, took their places against him, but without exertinghimself in the slightest, he proved himself so infinitely theirsuperior that their doubts speedily changed into admiration, andthe meeting of the morrow was soon regarded with a feeling of notonly hope, but confidence.
It was late before Lord Fairholm rode up to the cornet's.
"Did you think I was never coming?" he asked as he entered Rupert'squarters. "The affair has created quite an excitement, and just asI was starting, two hours back, a message came to me to go toheadquarters. I found his lordship in a great passion, and he ratedme soundly, I can tell you, for undertaking to be second in such adisgracefully uneven contest as this. When he had had his say, ofcourse I explained matters, pointed out that this German bully wasa nuisance to the whole army, and that you being, as I myself couldvouch, a sort of phenomenon with the sword, had taken the matter upto save your brother officer from being killed. I assured him thatI had the highest authority for your being one of the bestswordsmen in Europe, and that therefore I doubted not that you werea match for this German. I also pointed out respectfully to himthat if he were to interfere to stop it, as he had intended, thematter would be certain to lead to many more meetings between theofficers of the two nationalities. Upon this the general after sometalk decided to allow the matter to go on, but said that whicheverway it went he would write to the generals commanding all thedivisions of the allied army, and would publish a general order tothe effect that henceforth no duels shall be permitted except afterthe dispute being referred to a court of honour of five seniorofficers, by whom the necessity or otherwise of the duel shall bedetermined; and that in the case of any duel fought without suchpreliminary, both combatants shall be dismissed the service,whether the wounds given be serious or not. I think the proposal isan excellent one, and likely to do much good; for in a mixed armylike ours, causes for dispute and jealousy are sure to arise, andwithout some stringent regulation we should be always fightingamong ourselves."
At an early hour on the following morning a stranger would havesupposed that some great military spectacle was about to takeplace, so large was the number of officers riding from Liege andthe military stations around it towards the place fixed upon forthe duel. The event had created a very unusual amount ofexcitement, because, in the first place, the attempt to murderRupert at the mill of Dettinheim had created much talk. Theintention of Captain Muller to force a quarrel on the officers ofthe 5th had also been a matter of public comment, while the mannerin which the young cornet of that regiment had taken up the gage,added to the extraordinary inequality between the combatants, gavea special character to the duel.
It was eight in the morning when Rupert Holliday rode up to theplace fixed upon, a quiet valley some three miles from the town. Onthe slopes of hills on either side were gathered some two or threehundred officers, English, Dutch, and German, the bottom of thevalley, which was some forty yards across, being left clear. Therewas, however, none of the life and animation which generallycharacterize a military gathering. The British officers lookedsombre and stern at what they deemed nothing short of theapproaching murder of their gallant young countryman; and theGermans were grave and downcast, for they felt ashamed of theinequality of the contest. Among both parties there was earnestthough quiet talk of arresting the duel, but such a step would havebeen absolutely unprecedented.
The arrival of the officers of the 5th, who rode up in a body a fewminutes before Rupert arrived with Lord Fairholm and his friendDillon, somewhat changed the aspect of affairs, for their cheerfulfaces showed that from some cause, at which the rest were unable toguess, they by no means regarded the death of their comrade as aforegone event. As they alighted and gave their horses to theorderlies who had followed them, their acquaintances gathered roundthem full of expressions of indignation and regret at theapproaching duel.
"Is there any chance of this horrible business being stopped?" anold colonel asked Colonel Forbes as he aligh
ted. "There is a reportthat the general has got wind of it, and will at the last momentput an end to it by arresting both of them."
"No, I fancy that the matter will go on," Colonel Forbes said.
"But it is murder," Colonel Chambers said indignantly.
"Not so much murder as you think, Chambers, for I tell you this ladis simply a marvel with his sword."
"Ah," the colonel said. "I had not heard that; but in no case coulda lad like this have a chance with this Muller, a man who has notonly the reputation of being the best swordsman in Germany, who nowhas been in something like thirty duels, and has more than twentytimes killed his man."
"I know the ruffian's skill and address," Colonel Forbes said; "andyet I tell you that I regard my young friend's chance as by nomeans desperate."
Similar assurances had some effect in raising the spirits of theEnglish officers; still they refused to believe that a lad like arecently joined cornet could have any real chance with the notedduellist, and their hopes faded away altogether when Rupert rodeup. He was, of course, a stranger to most of those present, and hissmooth boyish face and slight figure struck them with pity anddismay.
Rupert, however, although a little pale, seemed more cheerful thananyone on the ground, and smiled and talked to Lord Fairholm andDillon as if awaiting the commencement of an ordinary militaryparade.
"That is a gallant young fellow," was the universal exclamation ofmost of those present, whatever their nationality. "He faces deathas calmly as if he were ignorant of his danger."
Five minutes later Captain Muller rode up, with his second; and thepreparations for the conflict at once began.
All except the combatants and their seconds retired to the slopes.Lord Fairholm and Captain Swartzberg stood in the middle of thebottom. Rupert stood back at a short distance, talking quietly withDillon and his colonel; while Captain Muller walked about near thefoot of the slope, loudly saluting those present with whom he wasacquainted.
There was but little loss of time in choosing the ground, for thebottom of the valley was flat and smooth, and the sun was concealedbeneath a grey bank of clouds, which covered the greater part ofthe sky, so that there was no advantage of light.
When all was arranged the length of the swords was measured. Bothhad come provided with a pair of duelling rapiers, and as all fourweapons were of excellent temper and of exactly even length, nodifficulty was met with here. Then a deep hush fell upon thegathering as the seconds returned to their principals.
It had been arranged by the seconds that they should not fight inuniform, as the heavy boots impeded their action. Both wereaccordingly attired in evening dress. Rupert wore dark puce satinbreeches, white stockings, and very light buckled shoes. Hisopponent was in bright orange-coloured breeches, with stockings tomatch. Coats and waistcoats were soon removed, and the shirtsleeves rolled up above the elbow.
As they took stand face to face, something like a groan wentthrough the spectators. Rupert stood about five feet nine, slight,active, with smooth face, and head covered with short curls. TheGerman stood six feet high, with massive shoulders, and armscovered with muscle. His huge moustache was twisted upwards towardshis ears; his hair was cropped short, and stood erect all over hishead. It was only among a few of the shrewder onlookers that thefull value of the tough, whipcordy look of Rupert's frame, and theextreme activity promised by his easy pose, were appreciated. Thegeneral opinion went back to the former verdict, that the disparitywas so great that, even putting aside the German's well-knownskill, the duel was little short of murder.
Just before they stood on guard, Captain Muller said, in a loudvoice, "Now, sir, if you have any prayer to say, say it; for I warnyou, I will kill you like a dog."
A cry of "Shame!" arose from the entire body of spectators; when itabated Rupert said, quietly but clearly, "My prayers are said,Captain Muller. If yours are not, say them now, for assuredly Iwill kill you--not as a dog, for a dog is a true and faithfulanimal, but as I would kill a tiger, or any other beast whoseexistence was a scourge to mankind."
A cheer of approbation arose from the circle; and with a groan ofrage Captain Muller took his stand. Rupert faced him in an instant,and their swords crossed. For a short time the play was exceedinglycautious on both sides, each trying to find out his opponent'sstrength. Hitherto the German had thought but little of what Fulkehad told him that he had heard, of Rupert's skill; but the calm andconfident manner of the young Englishman now impressed him with theidea that he really, boy as he was, must be something out of thecommon way. The thought in no way abated his own assurance, itmerely taught him that it would be wiser to play cautiously atfirst, instead of, as he had intended, making a fierce and rapidattack at once, and finishing the struggle almost as soon as itbegan.
The lightning speed with which his first thrusts were parried andreturned soon showed him the wisdom of the course he had adopted;and the expression of arrogant disdain with which he had commencedthe fight speedily changed to one of care and determination. Thisinsolent boy was to be killed, but the operation must not becarelessly carried out.
For a time he attempted by skillful play to get through Rupert'sguard, but the lad's sword always met him; and its point flashed soquickly and vengefully forward, that several times it was only byquick backward springs that he escaped from it.
The intense, but silent excitement among the spectators increasedwith every thrust and parry; and every nerve seemed to tingle inunison with the sharp clink of the swords. The German nowendeavoured to take advantage of his superior height, length ofarm, and strength, to force down Rupert's guard; but the latterslipped away from him, bounding as lightly as a cat out of range,and returning with such rapid and elastic springs, that the Germanwas in turn obliged to use his utmost activity to get back out ofreach.
So far several slight scratches had been given on both sides, butnothing in any way to affect the combatants. As the strugglecontinued, gaining every moment in earnestness and effort, a lookof anxiety gradually stole over the German's face, and theperspiration stood thick on his forehead. He knew now that he hadmet his match; and an internal feeling told him that although hehad exerted himself to the utmost, his opponent had not yet put outhis full strength and skill.
Rupert's face was unchanged since the swords had crossed. His mouthwas set, but in a half smile; his eye was bright; and his demeanourrather that of a lad fencing with buttoned foils than that of onecontending for his life against a formidable foe.
Now thoroughly aware of his opponent's strength and tactics, Rupertbegan to press the attack, and foot by foot drove his opponent backto the spot at which the combat had commenced. Then, after a fiercerally, he gave an opening; the German lunged, Rupert threw back hisbody with the rapidity of lightning, lunging also as he did so. Hisopponent's sword grazed his cheek as it passed, while his own ranthrough the German's body until the hilt struck it. Muller fellwithout a word, an inert mass; and the surgeon running up,pronounced that life was already extinct.
The crowd of spectators now flocked down, the English withdifficulty repressing their exclamations of delight, andcongratulated Rupert on the result, which to them appeared almostmiraculous; while the senior German officer present came up to him,and said:
"Although Captain Muller was a countryman of mine, sir, I rejoicein the unexpected result of this duel. It has rid our army of a manwho was a scourge to it."
Plasters and bandages were now applied to Rupert's wounds; and in afew minutes the whole party had left the valley, one German orderlyalone remaining to watch the body of the dead duellist until aparty could be sent out to convey it to the town for burial.