"Good," cried he, laughing; "but look out, for I warn you I shall not be merciful; a sharp blow on the ribs of a young hand teaches him his vulnerable point, and causes him to be careful ever after."
"Come on," cried I; "if I can I will return the compliment."
We again took a large circle, and at a good canter approached each other till we were nearly within spear's-length. The Khan was as good as his word, and made several desperate lunges at me. I avoided them, however, by the quickness of my horse; and I plainly saw that he could by no endeavour approach near enough to me to strike a decisive blow. His horse, too, being fatter, was more blown than my own; and, after allowing him to weary it still more for some time in a vain pursuit of me, I suddenly changed my position, and became his assailant. I believe I was more cool and wary than he was, for he appeared vexed that a stranger should be on such equal terms with him at his favourite exercise; he did not parry my lunges with the same precision as in the first encounter, when, notwithstanding all my efforts to touch him, he avoided and laughed at me. Still I had not touched him; and growing weary of my close pursuit, he endeavoured to turn again and become the assailant; but whether his horse was slow in wheeling round, or whether I was too near to allow of his avoiding the blow, I know not; but, as he endeavoured to cross behind me, I wheeled my horse suddenly, struck my heels into his sides, and, as he gave his accustomed bound of some yards, struck my spear full on the broad chest of the Khan, who was somewhat stunned by the blow. A loud shout from those around us proclaimed my victory; and the Khan himself, though abashed at his defeat, was one of the loudest in my praises to the chief himself.
"By Alla!" said he, "thou art no stranger at this work, Meer Sahib; thou hast played me a trick."
"I swear by your beard and the Koran that I have not, Khan," I cried: "it was the result of chance. Alla knows that two days ago I had never had a spear in my hand. I only observed what you did when you hit me, and to my good horse I owe my fortune. But it was all chance; and though I prize the victory, yet I regret that such a chance should have hurt you."
"Nay, I am not hurt, Syud," he replied; "and I bear these things with good humour; but if you are as good a hand with the sword as you promise to be with the spear, there will not be a man in the camp to stand before you."
"It would be boastful in me to challenge any one," said I, "seeing that I am a stranger among you; yet if the noble Cheetoo wishes to try me, I will essay what I can do to-morrow."
"Good, good!" cried all; and Cheetoo himself, vastly pleased with the result of my encounter with Ghuffoor Khan, bade me present myself early at his residence, where he would invite a few good swordsmen to attend and see us exercise.