The captain's eye at first glittered with a triumphant light as he saw his foe retreat, and the two sailors sitting on the log and exchanging looks found cause to chuckle once more.
But the light sank as they completed the circle, leaving Robert untouched, and breathing as easily as ever, while the captain was panting.

Now he decided that his own time had come and knowing that the combat was mental as well as physical he taunted his opponent.
"In truth, captain," he said, "my bad quarter of an hour did not arrive, but yours, I think, is coming.

Look! Look! See the red spot on your waistcoat!" Despite himself the captain looked down.

The sword flickered in like lightning, and then flashed away again, but when it was gone the red spot on the waistcoat was there.

His flesh stung with a slight wound, but the wound to his spirit was deeper.