I could.

"If it's the same to you, take the sabre, it's his weakest weapon,"
whispered the Rittmeister in my ear; and I agreed. And now there was
a sort of commotion about the choice of the ground and the places, in
which my friend seemed to stand by me most manfully. Then there followed
a general measurement of swords, and a fierce comparison of weapons.
I don't know how many were not thrust into my hand, one saying, "Take
this, it is well balanced in the wrist; or if you like a heavy guard,
here's your arm!"

"To me, it is a matter of perfect indifference," said I, jauntily. "All
weapons are alike."

"He will attack fiercely, and the moment the word is given," whispered
the Rittmeister, "so be on your guard; keep your hilt full before you,
or he 'll slice off your nose before you are aware of it."

"Be not so sure of that till you have seen my sword play," said I,
fiercely; and my heart swelled with a fierce sentiment that must have
been courage, for I never remember to have felt the like before. I know
I was brave at that moment, for if, by one word, I could have averted
the combat, I would not have uttered it.

"To your places," cried the umpire, "and on your guard! Are you ready?"

"Ready!" re-echoed I, wildly, while I gave a mad flourish of my weapon
round my head that threw the whole company into a roar of laughter; and,
at the same instant, two figures, screaming fearfully, rushed from the
beech copse, and, bursting their way through the crowd, fell upon
me with the most frantic embraces, amidst the louder laughter of the
others. O shame and ineffable disgrace! O misery never to be forgotten!
It was Vaterchen who now grasped my knees, and Tintefleck who clung
round my neck and kissed me repeatedly. From the time of the Laocoon,
no one ever struggled to free himself as I did, but all in vain; my
efforts, impeded by the sword, lest I might unwillingly wound them, were
all fruitless, and we rolled upon the ground inextricably commingled and
struggling.

"Was I right?" cried the Prince. "Was I right in calling this fellow a
saltimbanque? See him now with his comrades around him, and say if I was
mistaken."

"How is this?" whispered the Rittmeister. "Have you dared to deceive
_me?_"

"I have deceived no one," said I, trying to rise; and I poured forth
a torrent of not very coherent eloquence, as the mirth of my audience
seemed to imply; but, fortunately, Vaterchen had now obtained a hearing,
and was det