"That we dismount in any particular plain that may suit us, then fasten our horses to the nearest object, meet each without our pistols in our hands, afterward retire for a hundred and fifty paces, in order to advance on each other."
"Very good: that is precisely the way in which I killed poor Follinent three weeks ago, at Saint-Denis."
"I beg your pardon, but you forget one circumstance."
"What is that?"
"That in your duel with Follinent you advanced toward each other on foot, your swords between your teeth, and your pistols in your hands."
"True."
"While now, on the contrary, as I cannot walk, you yourself admit that we shall have to mount our horses again and charge; and the first who wishes to fire will do so."
"That is the best course, no doubt; but it is quite dark; we must make allowance for more missed shots than would be the case in the daytime."
"Very well; each will fire three times; the pair of pistols already loaded, and one reload."
"Excellent! Where shall our engagement take place?"