“Ramón, double traitor and plotter against peace!” Señor Zorro addressed him. “Abductor of women! Foul in word and action and thought! On guard, señor!”
Captain Ramón felt like a trapped animal. He saw his sergeant in the ring.
“Gonzales!” he shrieked. “Seize that man! I command it!”
“I do not take commands from traitors!” the sergeant replied.
“I’ll have you punished—”
“’Tis you will receive the punishment, when you gather courage enough to lift your blade,” Gonzales replied.
Don Audre Ruiz had turned the señorita over to Fray Felipe. The old fray knew better than to make an attempt to prevent the duel. He belonged to the times, and he understood such things.
“On guard, señor!” Zorro warned again. “I do not like to pollute my blade with your blood, yet must it be done! On guard, renegade! Must I cut down a man who will not defend himself?”
Señor Zorro advanced a step. Captain Ramón, his face white, started to raise his sword. He did not believe, could not force himself to believe, that he would be a victor. Yet he could do his best!
The blades touched. And in the next instant Señor Zorro had sprung backward, and a chorus of cries had come from those in the ring.