Have you warrant for opposing our peaceful passage to the Ohio ?" He stared at me in undisguised amazement at my boldness, a grim smile on his hard, set face.
"Ay! I have, fellow," he finally retorted angrily, tapping his hilt.
"'Tis in this scabbard at my side." "Then draw it, Senor," I exclaimed, throwing forward my long rifle menacingly.

"And may God stand with the better man." I have a conception that at the moment he believed he was being fronted by a crazed man, yet there was in my face an expression quickly teaching him otherwise, and, with a swift twist, he flashed his sword forth into the sunlight, standing on guard.
"_Por Baco_!" he growled savagely, "you must be little better than a fool to hoist that club.

It will give me pleasure to teach you better manners toward a grandee of Spain." "Grandee, or not," I retorted, angered at his implied contempt, "I may teach you a trick, Senor, with that same club, never learned in your Spanish fencing-schools." It was swift, intense fighting from the word, he proving past-master of his weapon, yet my stiff rifle-barrel was no mean defence against his lighter blade, with a reach preventing his point touching my body, and sufficient weight to bear down the thin, murderous steel whenever the two came into contact.

It had been long practice with me, having picked up the pretty trick from a French zouave when I was a boy, so I swung the iron as if it were a single-stick; and, in truth, I know of no better fence against the stroke of a straight sword, although fencing-masters, I have heard, make light of it.

Nevertheless it was new experience to this Spaniard, and it did me good to note how it angered the fellow to be held back by such a weapon.