caper, and saluted
the lookers-on with the point of his sword.

M. du Marnet, a man rather of the German type, hardy, quite hairy,
moulded like the Indian Bacchus, and not like Achilles, showed in his
countenance a slight shade of disgust. It was not necessary to be a
magician to understand that this duel _in naturalibus_, under the eyes
of his own officers, appeared to him useless and even ridiculous. His
horse was a half-blood from Perche, a vigorous beast and full of fire.

Fougas' seconds rode badly enough. They divided their attention between
the combat and their stirrups. M. du Marnet had chosen the best two
horsemen in his regiment, a major and captain. The umpire of the field
was Colonel Rollon, an excellent rider.

At a signal given by Colonel Rollon, Fougas rode directly at his
adversary, presenting the point of his sabre in the position of "prime,"
like a cavalry soldier charging infantry in a hollow square. But he
reined up about three lengths from M. du Marnet, and described around
him seven or eight rapid circles, like an Arab in a play. M. du Marnet,
being forced to turn in the same spot and defend himself on all sides,
clapped both spurs to his horse, broke the circle, took to the field,
and threatened to commence the same manoeuvre about Fougas. But the
gentleman from the other world did not wait for him. He rushed off at a
full gallop, and made a round of the hippodrome, always followed by M.
du Marnet. The cuirassier, being heavier, and mounted on a slower horse,
was distanced. He revenged himself by calling out to Fougas:

"Oh, Monsieur! I must say that this looks more like a race than a
battle. I ought to have brought a riding-whip instead of a sword!"

But Fougas, panting and furious, had already turned upon him.

"Hold on there!" cried he; "I have shown you the horseman; now I will
show you the soldier!"

He lanched a thrust at him, which would have gone through him like a
hoop if M. du Marnet had not been as prompt as at parade. He retorted by
a fine cut _en quarte_, powerful enough to cut the invincible Fougas in
two. But the other was nimbler than a monkey. He wholly shielded his
body by letting himself slide to the ground, and then remounted his
horse in the same second.

"My compliments!" said M. du Marnet. "They don't do any better than that
in the circus."

"No more do they in war," rejoined the other. "Ah, scoundrel! so you
revile the old army? Here's at you! A miss! Thanks for t