"In short the fact that has to be grasped is simply this,--that not
one of the thousand and one preliminary details is unimportant; and
that things seemingly the most trivial may suddenly assume the most
unexpected gravity. The stake is too high to justify any man in
gambling it away with a light heart.
"In the first place the selection of the ground must be carefully
considered. The surface should be smooth and even, without dips
or inequalities that can be in the slightest degree dangerous. Be
particular to avoid a spot where there is any grass. Grass is slippery
and may imperil your friend's life.
"Here is another point worth remembering. Run your eye quickly but
carefully over the ground where your friend will stand; he is very
likely to neglect this precaution himself, and may fail to see a root
for instance, almost unnoticeable to a careless glance, which might
very easily trip him up or throw him off his guard at a critical
moment, when it was too late to stay the impetus of his opponent's
point. All this no doubt seems extremely trivial; but how do you
know that the tuft of wet slippery grass, the half hidden root, or
treacherous stone will not turn the scale a moment later?
"The contending parties, it has been said, are entitled to a fair
division of light and ground. If that is so, you will be well advised
not to stand out for your share of light, and you should never consent
to let your principal face the sun. The glitter of the blades confuses
the eye and causes hesitation. Remember that in fighting the eye is an
implement at least as important as the sword. Seeing in this case is
thinking. The eye warns you of danger, and instinctively picks out the
enemy's weak spot. And more than that, a steady eye, an eye that looks
one in the face unflinchingly, overawes and fascinates. While the sword
threatens, the spying questioning eye is the intelligent scout.
"Again, never allow the combatants to strip. The impression of the cold
air on the bare skin and the unaccustomed exposure may affect one more
than the other, if he is naturally more sensitive, even though he may
be quite unconscious of the fact."
"But," objected the Comte de R., "what if the other side insist?"
"You must refuse to give way. No one has a right to insist upon it. It
is a barrack-room practice, usual among soldiers, and does not hold
good outside the guard-room."