[Original]
“Now,” said Jacques to Morok, in a taunting tone, “while the punch is burning, we will have our duel. The company shall judge.” Then, pointing to the two bottles of brandy, which the waiter had brought, Jacques added: “Choose your weapon!”
“Do you choose,” answered Morok.
“Well! here’s your bottle—and here’s your glass. Ninny Moulin shall be umpire.”
“I do not refuse to be judge of the field,” answered the religious writer, “only I must warn you, comrade, that you are playing a desperate game, and that just now, as one of these gentlemen has said, the neck of a bottle of brandy in one’s mouth, is perhaps more dangerous than the barrel of a loaded pistol.”
“Give the word, old fellow!” said Jacques, interrupting Ninny Moulin, “or I will give it myself.”
“Since you will have it so—so be it!”
“The first who gives in is conquered,” said Jacques.
“Agreed!” answered Morok.