mortal combat. After which, each took oath upon the Bible, presented to him by the Constable, that his cause was just, and that he did not bear about him any words, charms or incantations by which he hoped to injure his enemy, but that he relied only on God, his bodily strength, and his right in the contest. Having taken this oath, they proceeded to their respective chairs placed at opposite ends of the lists, and their weapons were given them, a sword and two daggers. Then the seconds withdrew, and the royal heraldat-arms proceeded to the middle of the lists and proclaimed three times : " Laisseraller les bons combatants!" Vivonne and Jarnac then arose from their chairs and advanced, Vivonne with his sword raised and with hasty steps; Jarnac, slowly, with his shield against his breast and his sword raised, apparently to guard his head. Vivonne struck a furious blow, but Jarnac, making a side step, received it on his shield, and springing behind his adver sary, made a sword cut which caught Vivonne on the left leg between his breeches of mail and the upper part of his boot. The blood gushed out and Vivonne stag gered, while the spectators uttered a stifled cry at the unusual blow. Vivonne rushed towards Jarnac with the evident intention of closing with him, but again the latter sprang to one side and dealt a second stroke on the left leg. Vivonne's sword dropped from his hand and he fell to the ground, ham-strung, helpless, overcome by the secret stroke which Jarnac had learned from Cap tain Cassi. When Vivonne fell, a tumult broke out throughout the whole assemblage. His friends shouted out imprecations, while those of Jarnac shouted in exultation. Some minutes elapsed before order was restored, and in the meanwhile Jarnac stood gazing |
upon his former friend who now lay at his mercy, and whom it was his duty to kill and deliver his body to the executioner to be treated Whenassilence that of was a perjurer. restored,. he called to Vivonne : " Restore my honor, and ask pardon of God and the King for the offense you have committed! " Vivonne's only answer was an attempt to rise and continue the fight. Jarnac, leaving him where he lay, ad vanced to the royal gallery, raised his visor, and bending on one knee, addressed the King. "Sire," said he, " I beseech you to let me be so happy as to know that I am a man of worth; I give Vivonne to you; take him, Sire, and let my honor be restored to me. It is our youth alone that has been the cause of this; let nothing be imputed to him or his on account of his fault, for Sire, I give him freely to you!" To this the King made no answer. Jarnac then approached Vivonne, and conjured him to yield. The answer was an attempt to rise on "one Kill Stirknee, me, not,then and or I an ! slay "replied effort youtoVivonne, ! "use cried his dagger. Jarnac. and he
fell back exhausted, torrents of blood welling freshly from his wound. Again Jarnac turned towards the King, and with clasped hands entreated Henry to show him grace; but, as before, the King was inflexible. Jarnac once more advanced to where Vivonne lay, and said : " Chasteigneraye, my old companion, recognize thy Creator, and let us be friends! Sire," he added to the King, in a voice broken with emotion, " for the love of God, take him." The Constable and the marshals, in their turn, "Ifinterceded the King does withnot Henry. interfere," they said, "Jarnac will be compelled to kill him, and then drag forth his body, to give it into the
