"_Carramba!_" he cried, "have we then at last one fellow who shirks not the fray? Here's to your lung and an easier way of taking breath." But somewhat to his surprise the unknown parried his quivering stroke with the utmost ease, and still stood there on guard. Then the old soldier waxed wroth. He had been stunned at first, when his blade was so contemptuously turned aside, for this action was not according to the usual way Dame Fortune served such a son of Mars. Of course he gave utterance to a Spanish execration, such as falls so readily from the lips of these excitable people. Then he hastily examined his sword, which was found to be in quite as good condition as before, proving that the fault did not lie in that quarter at least. Having awakened to the knowledge that he had a job cut out before him that would require his utmost endeavors, Don Porfidio braced his bulky frame for a prodigious effort. As the two antagonists stood there facing one another, like a pair of Roman gladiators about to do battle royal the girl suddenly darted between. "You must not, shall not fight!" she exclaimed. The general let out a roar. "Stand back, on your life, rash girl. This is a business in which I will brook no interference." "But uncle, dear uncle, you do not know----" "I know all I desire, and I shall make it my solemn duty to teach this rascal a lesson he will never forget. Therefore I command you, Georgia, to leave the room!" "No, no, it would be a crime," she continued, endeavoring to cling to his sword arm. But the testy old don's fighting blood was up, and in such a condition he would stand no interference even from one whom he loved so dearly. So with his left arm he swept the frail figure of the San Juan belle aside, and at the same time thrust out with his sword. The weapon met that of Roderic eagerly advanced to receive the thrust, and immediately there followed a clashing and rasping as steel continued to smite its like. Georgia, finding her efforts to keep the two men apart futile, fell back in dismay from the flash of the writhing swords. The spectacle appeared to fascinate her for a brief time, so that with clasped hands she stood and gazed, her breath coming in gasps, and with each breath a fervent prayer that the Holy Virgin would intervene to prevent these two men, each of whom was so dear to her, from shedding one another's blood. Then of a sudden she uttered a bubbling cry--it was not because one or the other had gained the least advantage, for they were still at it, hammer and tongs, the giant man of war trying all his tricks and clever thrusts with disheartening results--a bright thought had flashed into the girl's bewildered brain. Since Don Porfidio refused to hearken when she attempted to explain matters, perhaps the same hoped-for cessation of active hostilities might be attained through another means.