"In this connection I am reminded of another case, which not
unfrequently occurs, and on which I have sometimes heard the most
contradictory opinions expressed, for it presents a really difficult
problem.
"In the course of the fight one of the antagonists calls for a
halt--have you the right to insist that the fight shall continue
without interruption?
"In my opinion you unquestionably have that right, unless the case has
been already provided for, or both men consent."
"Still surely," said the Comte de C..., "in a prolonged set-to, if
your opponent is exhausted, if he is so done that he can hardly hold
his sword, if he is blown and distressed, you cannot refuse to give him
a minute or two to recover his wind."
"Well," I replied, "I have stated what I believe to be the rights of
the case, on which either combatant can fairly insist. I will now give
you my reasons.
"Your opponent, you say, is done; well, perhaps he may be, but have
you considered why? Is not his fatigue due to the violence and the
excessive energy with which he began the fight, to the regardless
eagerness with which he has assailed you, without consulting his
staying powers or husbanding his strength? You have had to bear the
brunt of all this fury, you have sustained incessant attacks, but you
with more skill have economised your resources and have bided your time
to attack him. That opportune moment evidently comes just when your
opponent, exhausted by the failure of his repeated attacks, is likely
to offer you the least resistance.
"Then what happens? He calls for a halt! And are you to let him off
without pressing the advantage that you with your judgment and
self-restraint have held in reserve? Are you to give him leave to
recover his wind, that is to say to recover his strength and rally his
scattered forces, in order that he may start afresh to make a second
onset with the same ardour and the same violence as before? The danger
that you have safely encountered once may prove too much for you the
second time. How does that strike you? Surely it is as though a man,
engaged in a duel with pistols, in which each party is at liberty to
fire when he chooses, were to be in too great hurry to let fly at his
opponent, and then, when his barrels were emptied and useless, were to
ask permission to reload, before he has received his opponent's fire.