Межзвёздный скиталец

           Wehadbeenatworkbarelyaminute,whenIknewunderallhisdarting,flashingshowofoffencethatFortinimeditatedthisverytimeattack.Hedesiredofmeathrustandlunge,notthathemightparryitbutthathemighttimeitanddeflectitbythecustomaryslightturnofthewrist,hisrapierpointdirectedtomeetmeasmybodyfollowedinthelunge.Aticklishthing—ay,aticklishthinginthebestoflight.Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtooearly,Ishouldbewarnedandsaved.Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtoolate,mythrustwouldgohometohim.

           “Quickandbrilliantisit?”wasmythought.“Verywell,myItalianfriend,quickandbrilliantshallitbe,andespeciallyshallitbequick.”

           Inaway,itwastimeattackagainsttimeattack,butIwouldfoolhimonthetimebybeingover-quick.AndIwasquick.AsIsaid,wehadbeenatworkscarcelyaminutewhenithappened.Quick?Thatthrustandlungeofminewereone.Asnapofactionitwas,anexplosion,aninstantaneousness.Iswearmythrustandlungewereafractionofasecondquickerthananymanissupposedtothrustandlunge.Iwonthefractionofasecond.BythatfractionofasecondtoolateFortiniattemptedtodeflectmybladeandimpalemeonhis.Butitwashisbladethatwasdeflected.