Strong he was, but there were advantages of reach and suppleness with me, and even these advantages apart, had I aimed at his life, I could have made short work of him.

But the game I played was fraught with perils to myself, and once I was in deadly danger, and as near death from the sword as a man may go and live.

My attack had lured him, as I desired that it should, into making a riposte.

He did so, and as his blade twisted round mine and came slithering at me, I again carried it off by encircling it, and again I exerted pressure to deprive him of it.

But this time I was farther from success than before.