So he let loose a few cards which he had, figuratively speaking, been holding up his sleeve—in other words he let out an extra supply of ability and forced the fighting.
It was all up with the general.
He knew full well he was in the hands of a master, and that while the duel was fated to be cut as short as he wished, the outcome might hardly be to his liking.
The old don had been over confident, and he now fell into something like a panic.
True, he battled on with just as much vim as before, but desperation nerved his arm rather than the old time enthusiasm.
When Roderic discovered his chance he whipped the other's supple blade out of his nerveless hand with consummate ease.
Don Porfidio uttered a cry of rage and stupefaction.
"Carramba! you have done it—now take your revenge, Senor Spy!" he ejaculated, despairingly.
He folded his arms across his quivering chest and faced what he supposed would be immediate death without flinching.