"Will you fight me?"
"I see no occasion for it."
"Then I will furnish one."
Before I could recoil, or even realize his purpose, he sprang the single necessary step forward and, with open hand, struck me in the face.
"Even a blue-belly should understand the meaning of that," he exclaimed hotly.
I did understand, the hot blood surging to my cheeks, yet in some mysterious way I never in my life felt cooler, more completely in control of myself. Every nerve tingled, yet not a muscle moved, and I smiled into his face, truly glad it had come to this.
"Personal combat is not a habit with us, Captain Le Gaire," I said coldly. "But in this case you will not find me seeking escape. I am very much at your service."
"Now?" his eyes blazing.
"The quicker the better. Who seconds you?"
"Major Hardy, of course--"