It is only adopted in the case of a captive of distinction; who, instead of being sacrificed, is sometimes matched against a number of Mexicans.

The combat takes place on a great circular stone, in the sight of the whole city.

The captive is provided with arms, and meets his opponents one by one.

If he defeat them all--which has more than once happened in our history--he is allowed to go free." "That would suit me best, by far," Roger said eagerly.

"I have no doubt but that I should be killed, still, I should die in fair fighting against numbers; and it would be no worse than if I had fallen fighting the Moorish pirates, on the deck of our ship." "I should think that it could be managed," Cacama said.