Then he went up to the other seconds, drew out a coin, and after a word from Moreno, tossed it into the air. As it fell, the government employee said to Rojas,
“We have won, don Carlos. We can choose our ground.”
The marqués, who had brought his pistol case, spread it open on the grass. With elaborate care and deliberation he loaded the weapons, producing the same coin in order to consult chance once again. As the metal disc fell, Moreno leaned over to look at it and said to the rancher,
“Luck is with us. We can choose the revolver we prefer.”
Then Pirovani’s seconds went to bring him up to that one of the canes they had chosen. The marqués and Watson conducted their principal to the spot marked by the second cane.
Meanwhile the doctor somewhat confusedly set about his preparations. It was the first time that he had witnessed a duel. With one knee on the ground he opened his instrument case and began to unroll bandages, open medicine flasks, and examine the condition of his instruments.
The antagonists stood facing one another, Canterac rigid, his face grave but inexpressive, like a soldier awaiting the word of command. Pirovani’s eyes glowed like coals, he looked aggressive, furious. When Moreno came up to him to give him a revolver, he said, very low,
“You watch me kill him. I know I’m going to do it....”
But then he forgot his homicidal hopes to add,