Moreover, there is in steel a subtle magnetism which is the index of one's antagonist; and from the moment that our blades slithered one against the other I make no doubt but that Canaples grew aware of the confident, almost exultant mood in which I met him, and which told him that I was his master.

Add to this the fact that whilst Canaples's nerves were unstrung by passion mine were held in check by a mind as calm and cool as though our swords were baited, and consider with what advantages I took my ground.
He led the attack fiercely and furiously, as if I were a boy whose guard was to be borne down by sheer weight of blows.

I contented myself with tapping his blade aside, and when at length, after essaying every trick in his catalogue, he fell back baffled, I laughed a low laugh of derision that drove him pale with fury.
Again he came at me, almost before I was prepared for him, and his point, parried with a downward stroke and narrowly averted, scratched my thigh, but did more damage to my breeches than my skin, in exchange I touched him playfully on the shoulder, and the sting of it drove him back a second time.

He was breathing hard by then, and would fain have paused awhile for breath, but I saw no reason to be merciful.
"Now, sir," I cried, saluting him as though our combat were but on the point of starting--"to me! Guard yourself!" Again our swords clashed, and my blows now fell as swift on his blade as his had done awhile ago on mine.

So hard did I press him that he was forced to give way before me.