"Arreste!" shrilled Walker, springing to stoop over the fallen man. "Sacre! I thought him dead. He is only stunned."
In confirmation of this, Medina stirred, opened his eyes, and, assisted by Walker, staggered to his feet.
"Señor Walker," demanded Malgares, "as your principal is the challenger, I now ask if he is satisfied."
Medina muttered something in the ear of Walker, who replied to the inquiry: "Señor, we contend that, so far, the honors are even. My principal has been stunned, yours wounded. By the time Señor Robinson's injury is bound up, Lieutenant Medina will have recovered a clear head."
"The sword of my principal is broken," objected Malgares, as he spoke producing the bandage I had provided. No artery having been severed, there was no need of a tourniquet, and he bound up the wound during the discussion.
Walker consulted Medina, and replied: "We hold that each principal was given a sword of equal quality, and that the duel must continue until the matter is settled."
"Good!" I exclaimed to Malgares, before he could remonstrate. "We continue to fight each with his weapon. I shall use my broken blade as a dart and the hilt as a tomahawk. I am far better armed than before."
At this Medina drew away for a consultation with his second. Walker came back alone.
"We protest against the use of our opponent's sword as a missile," he stated.
"We refuse to consider the protest," rejoined Malgares.