The "drumming," as the students call it, proceeded for
some minutes, and nothing was heard in the hall but the sharp
whistle and ring of the blades and the sound of shuffling feet
upon the sawdust-covered floor. All at once Hollenstein turned
his hand completely round upon his wrist in the act of striking
what is called a deep-carte, remained a moment in this singular
position, which seemed to confuse his adversary, and then as the
latter was making up his mind what to do, suddenly finished
the movement and returned to his guard in time to parry the
inevitable tierce. A thin line of scarlet instantly appeared
upon the Saxon's face, straight across his left cheek.
" Halt ! " cried both seconds at once.
"She sat! " exclaimed the second of the Swabians, throwing
down his blunt sword and making for a goblet of beer that was
placed in readiness for him, as though he took no further inter-
est in the proceedings. Hollenstein stood as usual with his arm
supported by the novice, while the Saxon was examined by the
surgeon.
" Abf uhr ! " said the latter. The word means that the wounded
man must be removed.
" Please to declare the Abfuhr ! " said the Swabian second
relinquishing his glass and turning sharply to the umpire.
" Saxonia is led away," declared the Westphalian chief, mak-
ing a note of the fact in his pocket-book, and shutting up his
watch.
Before he had finished speaking, Hollenstein had given up his
sword and was beginning to disarm, while a fox wiped the
perspiration from his placid pink face.
" Nicely done, old man," said Greif , coming up to him.
