Though not with the bullet and blade;
They are here with their goods on a railway,
To conquer the country by trade.”
A TALE OF THE WAR.
The story that follows is, as the old magazines used to say of their tales, “founded on fact.” The foundation is rather slender. Similar incidents have occurred in all wars, ancient and modern; and nothing delights the old soldier more, when peace comes, than to meet a former antagonist, who, as in this instance, has “proved worthy of his steel.”
THE FENCING-MASTER.
You wish to improve yourself? Good! There’s a tool;
Let us see of what stuff you are made; and—keep cool.
Never hurry. On guard! When I thrust, parry so.
Longe! Gracious! Disarmed me! Well, this is a go.