"It is not the chief who is speaking to you at this moment," the officer continued, "but the man you have insulted."
The adventurer felt that the eyes of all his comrades were fixed upon him; so he recalled all his effrontery.
"Well, supposing I was?" he said insolently.
"In that case," the officer continued quietly, "you are a scoundrel."
"A scoundrel?" the other retorted, in a passion. "You must be more careful in your language, I advise you."
"You are a scoundrel, I repeat; and I am going to punish you."
"Punish me?" he said, sneeringly; "come on then."
"Give the fellow a sabre," the officer said, turning to the spectators.
"A sabre? What for?"
"To give me satisfaction for your insult."