all young men on board the "Endraght"; but I had led a hardy
life, and my spell ashore had taken off superfluous flesh, and left me
active and alert, with muscles like steel, an advantage not given to my
older antagonist, who had, perforce, lived a monotonous existence for
months past on shipboard. So I looked forward to the coming trial of
strength and endurance with some degree of confidence, notwithstanding
that Van Luck and his supporters promised me I would lose both my ears
as forfeit, if not my life, in the encounter.

The discussion over the right at length became so keen that Hartog,
fearing it might lead to further disputes, determined to get it over as
soon as possible, and for this purpose he altered the ship's course to
an island he sighted on the horizon which we made during the same
afternoon, when we came to anchor in a natural harbour formed by a
coral reef and opposite to a hard sandy beach well suited to the matter
in hand.

At daybreak the following morning we landed two boats' crews on the
beach, only the watch being left on board, who would nevertheless be
able to see the fight from over the ship's bulwarks. It was a fine
summer's morning, with little wind and no sea. The waves broke in crisp
diamond sparkles upon the sand, and the feathery palms and coconut
trees, with which the island abounded, imparted to the place a
fairy-like aspect such as the hand of man could never design. The
island appeared to be uninhabited and it seemed likely we would have
the arena to ourselves, although our men were armed in order to repel
attack.

When Hartog had taken up a position upon a spot he had selected
as suitable for the contest, he explained the conditions under which the
dispute was to be settled. The fight won to be to the death, or until
either party confessed himself vanquished or was unable to continue,
and in no case was malice to be shown after the event, whatever might
be the result. Having then proclaimed strict silence he ordered us to
make ready and begin. Both my opponent and I were now stripped to the
waist, our singlets being used as bandages for the right arm to protect
it from a chance wound from the dagger knives with which we were armed,
we being allowed no other weapon. My adversary was stouter than I, but
we were both of a height, and what I lacked in strength I made up for
in agility.

And know we began to circle each other, waiting an opportunity to
strike, which presently came