For some minutes they fenced with the adroitness of veteran swordsmen, neither gaining the slightest advantage, though a hectic spot which appeared on Maltravers's face, indicated that his mind was less at ease than Jack's. Suddenly Jack ceased to act on the defensive and became the aggressor, breaking down his lordship's guard and pinking him slightly in the left arm. "First blood!" said Harvey; "are you satisfied?" "Confound it, no. This is a duel to the death," replied Maltravers, his face distorted with passion. "As you please," replied Jack. Again, they faced one another, the wounded man having hastily tied a piece of his shirt sleeve round his arm. The swords clashed in the bright morning sunshine, which every moment became brighter. In vain Maltravers strove to injure his enemy. Each thrust was parried and he panted with exertion, while tears of impotent rage started to his eyes. "Ha! I have you now," he exclaimed, as the point of his rapier touched Jack's breast. "Not quite," replied Jack, who threw himself back, instantly recovered, and lunging in _tierce_, sent his weapon through the left shoulder of the nobleman. Maltravers staggered; he leant upon his sword, which snapped in half, and he sunk upon his knees, his face convulsed with pain. "That ends it," exclaimed the captain. "I confess myself satisfied." "No! No!" cried his lordship, seizing the pointed end of his rapier and binding a kerchief round the broken part so as to hold it more securely. "Surely, you will fight no more?" "I will fight till I drop." Harkaway broke his sword in half over his knee and grasped the narrow end, in the same manner as his adversary. "I am willing," he replied. "My dear fellow," remonstrated Harvey, "are you insane?" "By no means," was the calm and confident reply. "I did not come here to play, and besides, I hate to leave my work half finished." "Eh! the wretch," said Maltravers, bursting with rage, "he mocks me; but we shall see." Jack sunk on his knees in front of Maltravers, and they were now so near, that their eyes returned flash for flash and their hot breath fanned each other's face. Maltravers was bleeding profusely, his blood dropping on the thirsty sand, which greedily sucked up the ruby fluid, and the ghastly pallor of his face deepened. In a few minutes he had succeeded in inflicting a few scratches upon his adversary and he grated his teeth with grim satisfaction. This irritated Jack, who precipitated matters, by receiving the point of his lordship's weapon in his left arm and throwing himself upon him, piercing his breast and bearing him to the ground. Now Maltravers could utter no protest, for he fainted and extended himself on the ground in the attitude of a corpse. Jack hurriedly put on his coat. He was bleeding, but in the excitement of the moment felt no inconvenience, and it was not till his wound stiffened that he knew he was hurt. They began to leave the spot.