The soldiers were highly amused at the lack of skill shown by the eight-year-old boy, and tried to be witty at his expense, whereupon Abel stopped the bout, and, facing the spectators, said in a tone of challenge:
"Gentlemen, you are laughing at my failure and want of experience. No doubt there are among you many much more expert at fencing than I am. In that case I shall be only too glad to make way. Does any one of those present wish to take my foil, and try a turn with Nalla?"
At first there was no response, and Abel repeated his request. Then a soldier advanced slowly.
"Ah! ah! there's a champion!" was called out from the benches.
"You need not be afraid in the least," said Abel encouragingly, for the soldier moved in a hesitating way. "Fence with Nalla just as you would with a comrade. He will play you no mean trick, but I warn you that he's very good at the game."
The soldier smiled cheerfully, and, grasping the foil, put himself in position vis-à-vis to the elephant.
Nalla fixed his bright little eyes upon him, and with foil in trunk awaited the attack.
Now this soldier who had come forward was a young fellow of spirit, who was not lending himself to the little pleasantry in order to show off his skill at fencing. On the contrary, moved by the humor of the occasion, he entered the lists against Nalla quite ready to let the big brute carry off the honors, and without being troubled at all as to the figure he should cut himself.
Accordingly he went at the elephant in lively fashion, but, thrust and feint and dodge as he might, he could not get inside the clever creature's guard, or touch any part of his huge body. Nalla parried every attack with a quickness and precision that was simply astonishing, evidently enjoying the play quite as fully as his active antagonist, who threw himself into it with such vim.
For a while Nalla contented himself with maintaining his defense, but presently he changed his tactics, and assumed the offensive. Without moving from the spot upon which he stood he lunged and riposted with such swiftness and accuracy of aim that he touched the soldier's chest with the button three times in short order.