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Old Maciek appreciated the skill of his adversary, and with his

left hand adjusted his spectacles on his nose; with his right he

held the hilt of his switch close to his breast, and withdrew,

following the motions of the corporal with his eyes; he himself

tottered on his legs as though he were drunk. The corporal

pressed on the more quickly; sure of his triumph, and in order

the more easily to reach his retiring foe, he arose and stretched

forward his right arm at full length, pushing forward his

carbine; he made such an effort in thrusting with his heavy

weapon, that he even leaned forward. Maciek shoved the hilt of

his sword just under the spot where the bayonet is set upon the

gun barrel, and knocked up the weapon; then, suddenly lowering

his switch, he wounded the Muscovite in the arm, and again, with

a slash from the left, cut through his jaw. Thus fell the

corporal, the finest fencer among the Muscovites, a cavalier of

three crosses and four medals.