The seconds gave the word, their swords clashed together, and they stepped back, each looking for an opening in the other's guard.
Then it dawned upon the bravo that a swordsman stood before him.

But he had not the slightest fear.

He knew his own skill and strength.
"It's strange that a hunter should know anything about the sword," he said, "but it seems that you do and the fact pleases me much.

I would not have it said that I cut down an ignorant man." "And yet it might be said," replied the hunter.

"Do you remember the boy, Gaston Lafitte, whom you fought behind the Luxembourg near twenty years ago ?" The face of Boucher suddenly went deathly white, and, for a moment, he trembled.
"Who are you, you mumming hunter ?" he cried.