“Keep him at work, sir! we are with you in a minute!” Diego’s eyes looked over my shoulder.
“Unless you hurry, Don Diego,” I said, coolly bantering him, “there will be little time for this exhibition of sword-play you have promised me.”
I knew could I get him angry that I might have the better advantage.
“Bah!” he cried, furious. “Coward! you cannot fight your battles for yourself!”
“I am holding my own!” I smiled.
I know not just why it was, but strive as he might, he could get no advantage. I have no memory of ever having used my sword so well. [Quick as he was, my hand was ever quicker] and my eye seemed by the look of his own to divine his thrust before he made it. The sounds of the voices grew louder and louder each moment and seemed to be near the edge of the wood. The look in the eyes of De Baçan became uncertain. He had tried upon me every feint and thrust he knew, and there I still stood before him smiling and confident. It was not fear that he felt, for I believe the man feared nothing on earth—or above it—or below. It was an expression rather of wonder and curiosity as if at the last he saw in me the image of vengeance come to bring him, in spite of his prowess, the retribution he so amply deserved. Twice he had had me in his power, my death hanging by a web so fine that he could have blasted it by the breath from his lips,—and still I lived.
[“Quick as he was, my hand was ever quicker.”]
All of this I saw in his look. I smiled at him again, and that infuriated him the more. Scorning all thought of defense, he crouched his head and came for me desperately—his feints and thrusts were quicker than thought itself, and my eye, bewildered, could no longer follow the motions. He caught the point of my blade near the hilt of his own, and with a quick back stroke of the wrist sent it flying down, the handle almost out of my fingers. I clutched it again, bringing it up to the guard. But he had sprung in and thrust me through the thigh. At this moment there was an outcry upon our left, and De Brésac, with some of my seamen, came running forward.