As I said before, I had already seen some sword play and indifferent marksmanship on that beach, but this affair was most uncommon. The men were at it fiercely as the weapons fell across. Harrison, with gleaming eyes and a sneer of contempt on his lips, thrust and lunged past the broad blade of the Major's with cat like quickness. But to no purpose. The Major, holding his heavy broadsword as lightly as a rapier before him, with its scabbard held high in his left hand behind his back to keep it from his knees, turned each attack by a slight, strong turn of the wrist. His face was grave and calm, but as I watched him, the gradual tightening of the muscles in his lean, bronzed jaws showed that either the strain was beginning to tell on his wind, or else his temper was rising rapidly. However, he refrained from attempting the stroke I knew must soon be made, unless Harrison jabbed him. The morning was warm and soon the perspiration was pouring down the faces of the men. Harrison eased up a moment to note his effect on the Major, and seeing that he was keeping him in hand, pressed forward again with vigor. Backward went the Major, giving ground slowly in a circle, while that look of surprise I have seen on more than one man's face, when suddenly confronted by grave danger, spread slowly over his streaming features. Harrison was getting white and waxy about the lips, and his breath came in loud rasping gasps, but his eye was like the glint of steel as he pressed fiercely on. I have never seen a better swordsman. His wrist began to tire, but he instantly passed his hilt to his left hand and then came on harder than ever. I looked at Barron and saw the smile go from his face as the Major circled backward past him. The old soldier's left hand was holding his scabbard lower and lower, until finally he dropped it entirely. Then Harrison saw his time had come for the finish. Quick as thought he passed his hilt to his right hand again, for the final thrust through the Major's wavering guard. Then happened the most uncommon thing about the whole affair. It was done so quickly my eyes could hardly follow it, although I was standing but a few paces away and looking directly at the men. As Harrison passed his hilt to his right hand, the Major's weapon fell to the right of him with his foot still advanced, and as Harrison lunged strongly, the Major's broadsword rose and fell with a wicked "swish." Harrison's sword passed neatly through the Major's shoulder and protruded fully a foot behind him, while the old soldier's weapon struck Harrison fairly on the head and stretched him limp on the sand. The heavy blade had struck close to the hilt, as he had lunged forward, otherwise it must have bitten in as deep as the eyes. As it was the blow was bad enough, and we rushed in to see what could be done for him. It was several minutes, however, before he opened his eyes and showed any signs of life.