The assembled chiefs looked to Abd-el-Kader, and a rustling sigh went
through them. A hundred times the wiry desert chieftain had proven
himself the most capable fighter in the tribes. A hundred times he had
proven it and there were dead and wounded in the path he had cut for
himself.

Abd-el-Kader laughed aloud again. "Swords, in the open before the
ascan."

Homer Crawford shrugged. "Swords, in the open before the assembled
Chaambra so that they may see how truly weak is the one who calls
himself so strong."

Abe said worriedly, in English, "Listen, man, you been checked out on
swords?"

"They're the traditional weapon in the Arab _code duello_," Homer said,
with a wry grin. "Nothing else would do."

"Man, you sound like you've been blasting pot and got yourself as high
as those cats out there with their _kif_. This Abd-el-Kader was probably
raised with a sword in his hand."

Abd-el-Kader smiling triumphantly, had spun on his heel and made his way
through the tent's entrance. Now they could hear him shouting orders.

El Aicha looked up at Homer Crawford from where he sat. His voice
without inflection, he said, "Hast thou a sword, Omar ben Crawf?"

"No," Crawford said.

The elderly tribal leader said, "Then I shall loan you mine." He
hesitated momentarily, before adding, "Never before has hand other than
mine wielded it." And finally, simply, "Never has it been drawn to
commit dishonor."

"I am honored."

Outside, the rumors had spread fast and already a great arena was
forming by the packed lines of Chaambra nomads. At the tent entrance,
Elmer Allen, his face worried, said, his English in characteristic
Jamaican accent, "What did you chaps do?"

"Duel," Abe growled apprehensively. "This joker here has challenged
their top swordsman to a fight."

Elmer said hurriedly, "See here, gentlemen, the hovercraft are parked
over behind that tent. We can be there in two minutes and away from--"

Crawford's eyes went from Elmer Allen to Abe Baker and then back again.
He chuckled, "I don't think you two think I'm going to win this fight,"
he said.

"What do you know about swordsmanship?" Elmer Allen said accusingly.

"Practically nothing. A little bayonet practice quite a few years ago."

"Oh, great," Abe muttered.

Elmer said hurriedly, "See here, Homer, I was on the college fencing
team and--"

Crawford grinned at him. "Too late, friend."

As they talked, they made their way to the large circle of m