FAMOUS SWASHBUCKLER

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1930, Page 8

FAMOUS SWASHBUCKLER

HIS LAST STRATAGEM.

Of all the swashbuckling courtiers of the Court of Henry 111. of France, none thought with such rapidity as Bussy d’Amboise.

These braggadocios lived, and survived by their wits, and he was the most respected who had the quickest wit for brawling and broiling. So it jvas that d’Amboise stood pre-eminent. It was said of him that he would draw his sword if the wind blew a blade of grass across his path. No wonder he won the favour of the venturesome Marguerite. Queen of Navarre.

In the massacre of St. Bartholomew he slew many persons. But this did not gain him so much fame as an incredible bit of quick-thinking that came to him amid the carnage. He chanced upon a relative who had been so inconsiderate as to bring a. lawsuit against him. Just like that! DeaiX men prosecute no lawsuits, thought Bussy.

Powdered, pomaded, rouged, dyed, and scented, this truculent dandy went about Paris looking for trouble, that he might do honour to himself and his royal master, the Duke of Anjou. By quick thinking he would manufacture duels out of the most unlikely materials.

Saiut-Phal, a nobleman, declared that a letter on a bit of embroidery was an X. “No,” said Bussy, “it is a Y.” “No,” replied Saint-Phal, “it is an X.” “Sir.” said Bussy, “my seconds will wait upon you.” At. the Louvre, one evening, Bussy pushed rudely past M. de Grammont and his lady, who were preparing to dance. Al the end of the ball de Grammont sent his cousin, Maulron, to notify Bussy that he would be waiting for him at. a certain secluded spot.

“Young man.” said d’Amboise, haughtily, “Bussy never fights at night, and has never exhibited his courage to the stars, or to the moon, which are not worthy to contemplate it, but only to the sun, that alone can show it as it. really is. To-mor-row morning, as soon as the sun is up, I shall present mysedf at the place mentioned by you. Do me the pleasure to come with M. de Grammont and. mind you. bring two gravediggers with you, so that I may have you both buried for the honour we owe the dead.” Fate ruled that d’Amboise’s last notable bit of fast thinking should not avail to save him from the untimely death which most of his kind met.

He had intrigued with the wife of Count de Montsoreau. The count discovered it, and forced his wife to write Bussy to meet her in a. certain lonely castle. There the duellist, was ambushed.

He stood off the whole attacking party for some time. A strategic idea came to him. Knowing he could not hold out for ever he manoeuvred until he was near a window. Then he sprang through. Escape was at hand. Unfortunately his doublet caught on an iron hook in tlie wall beneath the window. While he dangled in mid-air Montsoreau thrust him through with his sword.