Utica Free Academy - Academician Yearbook (Utica, NY)

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XV 1' JZ' f fffif ZTj,f1'f? '?'ff?' ?5 :g Y, -QZBZIIZ ,ffrwwfwyiiifffiaf fgfgfgagfjfffifff-. J --,- e--A--My-ff F -'-' - r . l I i l ' r s kffyff' which could be explained when he came before Captain Felix, decided that it was best to go along quietly with them, and SO having had his sword, which he prized- most highly, taken away from him, he set out guarded by the five soldiers, ,along the road which he had just passed. . It was late in the afternoon when they started, and the chill of the evening was just beginning to be felt, the country was everywhere whitened, and the cold and severe. hand of winter held the traveler in its icy grip. The party of six, very cold and hungry from their long ride, arrived late in the evening within sight of the chateau of St. Arcles, and even Gervais was glad that. the journey was over, this chateau, situated upon a small hill in the woods some miles from Vouv- ray, was surrounded by numerous towers.. The prisoner was led into the great quadrangle and through a splendid hall into thepresence of Captain Felix. Captain Felix, a bully, and a hot-tempered French soldier, whose name was attached to many infamies was in command of the chateau of St. Arcles. He had been trying to capture and hang a certain.Monsieur Poquefort,-.who had been con- nected with some plot against the throne, but who had escaped. .Since a large prize was put upon his head, Captain Felix was very anxious to be the one to catch the traitor and had sent' many men out to scour the country. At first no trace could be found of him, but finally it was rumored that he was riding :about the country in the disguise of a fencing master, conse- 'quently when the horsemen spied Gervais, they decided that he was Poquefort, and accordingly followed and seized' him, think- ing that there could be no doubt, of his identityq The room in which Gervais found himself face to face with Captain Felix was elegantly designed according to the customs ofthe period: The walls and ceiling alike were panneled and painted, the tapestry chairs had come from Paris, the other furniture was perfect in symmetry and design. ' ' mAh! Monsieur Poquefortf' said Captain Felix, who had been informed of the capture, your disguise is really most excellent. You certainly should have been a fencing master. But in France a traitor does not go at large very long, Nfesj- -20- j ,

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The Fencing Master u g, ERVAIS of Marsan on his tired horse, was trotting at a slow pace along the road leading to the village of Vouvray, which was not far distant. He had been traveling for a week or more from his native town and was now in a part of the country where none knew him. He was a' maitre d armes, or fencing master, who had set out to seek his fortune by teaching the art of the sword in the villages or towns through which he passed. As a swordsman- active, supple, sharp of eye, and splendid of limb--he had no equal anywhere :near Marsan. G I At a bend in the road Gervais, glancing back atgthe snow- covered country he had just passed, noticed that five horse- men were following him, some distance away. During the day he had been somewhat conscious that he was beingwatched, but since he had no enemies, nor feared any human being, he thought nothing of it, therefore when he perceived that he was being followed he simply let his horse amble on 'till he arrived at the tavern of ,Vouvray. Just as he was about to take a drink, the five horsemen clattered into the square in front of the tavern. One of the men, evidently the leader, dismounted and seizing the bridle' of Gervais' horse said, mln the name of King Louis, I arrest you.'7 G i 4'Parbleu, what a good jest! But methinks you have chased the wrong man., What wish you with Gervais of Marsan? , said that person. u 4' 'Gervais of Marsan'- so you have changed your name to that then Nlonsieur Poquefortl? Well your disguise is ex cellent Monsieur Gervais but you see we have trapped you and now your excellency will accompany us to the chateau of St Arcles where Captain Felix will undoubtedly be very glad to see you Gervais thinking that these men had made a slight mistake 19 ..Q.Ca.M.Q.41.:2S-f-AHL . ' , a a Q 7 .L . J 7 r '- I I Y s ' 1 l l O O . 7 - I . I s n Q A ' ' ' ,eff - ',4.' ff -. ff '- 4.f.: ' '- '1' 1 pf55,1214 f'f Ziff f '7 1417 2311 7 '13 f - 'Q -f 2? f ff '- 1 ' G ' f 4 'Zf .f-r a ., ' 1?-V ' '1 -'ff 15.i- f:Q:::..,1.4 -v -

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ce-pczs fviazfi, Cher monsieur? To-morrow at dawn you hang from the battlementsf' ' ' ' ' HSacre tonners,'7 exclaimed the innocent prisoner, realizing the graveness of the mistake, what jest is this that you wish to hang Gervais of Marsan from your battlements for some matter he knows nothing about? ' Q 'Q - J est indeed! Do you not already feel the rope around your neck? You are certainly a very fine actor, Monsieur Marsan. The meatre Francais will have sufferedra .gre.at...loss..indee.d. But you .can 't deceive such a' sly old fox as Captain Felix. Men lead the traitor away, but since he has not many more hours on this earth, give him a hearty supper and a good bed. 4'This is an outrage, cried Gervais as he was seized to be led away. 4'Can Ihave no trial to prove my innocence of this false accusation? Will no justice be shown me? A ' As for a trial, sneeringly replied the cruel captain, to prove you innocent, as you say, why it would be a waste of precious time. As much justice as you would have accorded your victim ,will be shown you. In twenty-four hours,...Mrg Poquefort, you will be pleasantly wandering in a .warmer clime. Now away with him men, till the dawn. . Forthwith poor Gervais was dragged protestingly from the room amid the scornful laughter of the heartless soldiers. He was thrust into a small and cheerless room, in the middle of which stood a large bed and 'a candle was flickering on a table nearby. The big oaken door had been soundly locked and bolted from without, and so he sat 'down at the table to think over his situation. ' A y i z Here he was in a strange part of the country, without a friend who could help himf He had been seized as a prisoner and was 'going to be hanged, within a few hours, for a crime he knew nothing about. If he could die for a friend or for his country, he would willingly go to his execution. 'But to be taken as a traitor -and killed for some person he had never known or seen-life was too sweet for that, so he decided' he must make a bold attempt to escape. A As he was thus brooding, the door was unlocked and in came the officer of the party which had captured him, bringing -21-- ' . ., . f ,fn f- U .-1 ff af, ff'-1 f f .ff Cy 'ff -A'-1 . 9:51971 .ff ff 4'-ff 'f mf 'f-QM ' 4 f u -1' A- 1 59 ' 4,a.-.uw Jdf zddifffl-if-ffi'-fn