And none too soon.

The colonel had already drawn his saber.
"Save him!" Gretchen wrung her hands.
The two blades met spitefully, and there were method and science on both sides.

But the sword-cane was no match for the broad, heavy saber.

Half a dozen thrusts and parries convinced the colonel that the raging youth knew what he was doing.

Down swooped the saber cuttingly.