He looked steadily at me for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a strange light. Then he answered:
"This is a weapon I've used for some years past, Mr. Judkins, and it is the only one I will use in this quarrel. If no one cares to meet me my mare is waiting to carry me to more important matters. Take the devil!" he growled deeper, "I'll take the stiffening out of somebody."
"Don't disturb him on my account," spoke Harrison. "Let him use his weapon and talk less. I make no objection to it at all. I am ready." And he took his position.
I looked at Phripps, but he nodded approval; so I gave the word to begin. I heard Barron laugh out some remark at the Major's expense, as the men stood on guard for an instant. Then the fight began.
As I said before, I had already seen some sword play and indifferent marksmanship on that beach, but this affair was most uncommon.
The men were at it fiercely as the weapons fell across. Harrison, with gleaming eyes and a sneer of contempt on his lips, thrust and lunged past the broad blade of the Major's with cat like quickness. But to no purpose. The Major, holding his heavy broadsword as lightly as a rapier before him, with its scabbard held high in his left hand behind his back to keep it from his knees, turned each attack by a slight, strong turn of the wrist. His face was grave and calm, but as I watched him, the gradual tightening of the muscles in his lean, bronzed jaws showed that either the strain was beginning to tell on his wind, or else his temper was rising rapidly. However, he refrained from attempting the stroke I knew must soon be made, unless Harrison jabbed him.
The morning was warm and soon the perspiration was pouring down the faces of the men. Harrison eased up a moment to note his effect on the Major, and seeing that he was keeping him in hand, pressed forward again with vigor.
Backward went the Major, giving ground slowly in a circle, while that look of surprise I have seen on more than one man's face, when suddenly confronted by grave danger, spread slowly over his streaming features.
Harrison was getting white and waxy about the lips, and his breath came in loud rasping gasps, but his eye was like the glint of steel as he pressed fiercely on.