"No, he yields," cried Benet, "and I promised to kill him, and I will keep my word. Ah!"
"But they will soon be here. Let us settle the business for you."
"No, by Cormoran, no! What! Benet Killigrew call help? I'll fight and kill him by myself though ten thousand Boscawens stand by!"
"But there is danger, man! If we are caught we shall be hanged!"
"Can't you see I am fighting!" roared Benet, still keeping his eyes upon me, and never for a moment thrown off his guard.
All the same, this talk was not to his advantage. It made him somewhat rash, and I knew that my chance had nearly come.
"'Tis they!" one cried presently. "Truscott, give me your pistol!"
"I'll kill the man who interferes," said Benet madly; "I promised that there should be no unfair advantage, and by Heaven there shall not!"
But his speech caused his own undoing. It was impossible for any man to fence well under such circumstances, and so I was able to use the chance I had long been waiting for, and his sword flew from his hand.
At that moment there was the tramp of horses' hoofs and the shout of voices, and I knew that the bystanders became panic-stricken.