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man, for his second, a surgeon, and a man, arrived with all the speed he could. And there having rendered himself, I addressed my second, Sir John Heidon, to let him understand, that now all following should be done by consent, as concerning the terms whereon we should fight, as also the place. To our seconds we gave power for their appointments, who agreed we should go to Antwerp, from thence to Bergen-op-Zoom, where in the mid-way but a village divides the state's territories from the archduke's. And there was the destined stage, to the end, that having ended, he, that could, might presently exempt himself from the justice of the country, by retiring into the dominion not offended. It was further concluded, that in case any should fall or slip, that then the combat should cease, and he whose ill fortune had so subjected him, was to acknowledge his life to have been in the other's hands. But in case one party's sword should break, because that could only chance by hazard, it was agreed that the other should take no advantage, but either then be made friends, or else upon even terms go to it again. Thus these conclusions, being each of them related to his party, was by us both approved and assented to. Accordingly, we embarked for Antwerp. And by reason, my lord (as I conceive, because he could not handsomely, without danger of discovery), had not paired the sword I sent him to Paris, bringing one of the same length, but twice as broad; my second excepted against it, and advised me to match my own, and send him the choice, which I obeyed; it being, you know, the challenger's privilege to elect his weapon. At the delivery of the sword, which was performed by Sir John Heidon, it pleased the Lord Bruce to choose my own, and then, past expectation, he told him that he found himself so far behind-hand, that a little of my blood would not serve

his turn; and, therefore, he was resolved to have me alone, because he knew (for I will use his own words), that so worthy a gentleman, and my friend, could not endure to stand by, and see him do that which he must, to satisfy himself and his honour. Hereunto Sir John Heidon replied, that such intentions were bloody and butcherly, far unfitting so noble a personage, who should desire to bleed for reputation, not for life; withal adding, he thought himself injured, being come thus far, now to be prohibited executing those honourable offices he came for. The Lord, for answer, only reiterated his former resolutions; whereupon Sir John, leaving him the sword he had elected, delivered me the other, with his determinations. The which, not for

matter, but manner, so moved me, that though, to my remembrance, I had not for a long while eaten more liberally than at dinner, and, therefore, unfit for such an action (seeing the surgeons hold a wound upon a full stomach much more dangerous than otherwise,) I requested my second to certify him, I would presently decide the difference, and therefore he should presently meet me on horseback, only waited on by our surgeons, they being unarmed. Together we rode, but one before the other some twelve score, about two English miles; and then, passion having so weak an enemy to assail as my direction, easily became victor, and, using his power, made me obedient to his commands. I being verily mad with anger, the Lord Bruce should thirst after my life with a kind of assuredness, seeing I had come so far, and needlessly, to give him leave to regain his lost reputation, I bade him alight, which with all willingness he quickly granted, and there, in a meadow ankle-deep in water, at the least, bidding farewell to our doublets, in our shirts began to charge each other; having afore commanded our sur

geons to withdraw themselves a pretty distance from us, conjuring them, besides, as they respected our favours or their own safeties, not to stir, but suffer us to execute our pleasure. We being fully resolved (God forgive us!) to dispatch each other by what means we could, I made a thrust at my enemy, but was short, and, in drawing back my arm, I received a great wound thereon, which I interpreted as a reward for my short shooting; but, in revenge, I pressed into him, though I then missed him also, and then receiving a wound in my right pap, which passed level through my body, and almost to my back. And there we wrestled for the two greatest and dearest prizes we could ever expect trial for-honour and life. In which struggling my hand, having but an ordinary glove on it, lost one of her servants, though the meanest, which hung by a skin, and, to sight, yet remaineth as before, and I am put in hope one day to recover the use of it again. But at last breathless, yet keeping our holds, there passed on both sides propositions of quitting each other's sword. But when amity was dead, confidence could not live; and who should quit first was the question; which, on neither part, either would perform, and restriving again afresh, with a kick and a wrench together, I freed my long captivated weapon, which, incontinently levying at his throat, being still master of his, I demanded if he would ask his life or yield his sword, both which, though in that imminent danger, he bravely denied to do. Myself being wounded, and feeling loss of blood, having three conduits running on me, began to make me faint, and he courageously persisting not to accord to either of my propositions, remembrance of his former bloody desire, and feeling of my present estate; I struck at his heart, but, with his avoiding, missed my aim, yet passed through the body, and, drawing through

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my sword, repassed it through again, through another place; when he cried Oh! I am slain!' seconding his speech with all the force he had to cast me. But being too weak, after I had defended his assault, I easily became master of him, laying him on his back; when being upon him, I redemanded if he would request his life, but it seems he prized it not at so dear a rate to be beholding for it, bravely replying, he scorned it; which answer of his was so noble and worthy, that I protest I could not find in my heart to offer him any more violence, only keeping him down, till at length his surgeon, afar off, cried out, he would immediately die if his wounds were not stopped. Whereupon I asked if he desired his surgeon should come, which he accepted of; and so being drawn away, I never offered to take his sword, accounting it inhuman to rob a dead man, for so I held him to be. This thus ended, I retired to my surgeon, in whose arms, after I had remained awhile, for want of blood, I lost my sight, and withal, as I then thought, my life also. But strong water and his diligence quickly recovered me, when I escaped a great danger; for my lord's surgeon, when nobody dreamt of it, came full at me with his lord's sword, and had not mine, with my sword, interposed himself, I had been slain by those base hands; although my Lord Bruce, weltering in his blood, and past all expectation of life, conformable to all his former carriage, which was undoubtedly noble, cried out, Rascal! hold thy hand.' So may I prosper as I have dealt sincerely by you in this relation, which I pray you, with the inclosed letter, deliver to my Lord Chamberlain. And so, &c. "Yours,

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"EDWARD SACKVILLE.

MARY, COUNTESS OF ORKNEY.

THE following curious anecdote is related of the Countess of Orkney, who died in 1790, aged 76 :—

"Her ladyship was deaf and dumb, and married in 1753, by signs; she lived with her husband, Murrough, first Marquis of Thomond, who was also her first cousin, at his seat, Rostellan, on the harbour of Cork. Shortly after the birth of her first child, the nurse, with considerable astonishment, saw the mother cautiously approach the cradle in which the infant was sleeping, evidently full of some deep design. The Countess, having perfectly assured herself that the child really slept, took out a large stone, which she had concealed under her shawl, and to the horror of the nurse, who, like all persons of the lowest order in her country, indeed in most countries, was fully impressed with an idea of the peculiar cunning and malignity of 'dumbies,' seized it with an intent to fling it down vehemently. Before the nurse could interpose, the Countess had flung the stone-not. however, as the servant had apprehended, at the child, but on the floor, where, of course, it made a great noise. The child immediately awoke, and cried. The Countess, who had looked with maternal eagerness to the result of her experiment, fell on her knees in a transport of joy. She had discovered that her child possessed the sense which was wanting in herself."

She exhibited on many other occasions similar proofs of intelligence, but none so interesting.

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