Carlton had disrobed himself of coat and vest, and now stood before
his antagonist clothed only in his lower garments and linen. Petro
laughingly told his companions that he could punish the Americano
with his garments on, not deeming the task of sufficient weight to
compel him to remove his tight-fitting upper garments. A few moments
were passed in the usual guards and thrusts, when anon commenced the
feint, the ward, as each grew warmer in the contest.

It was evident to all at the outset that Carlton as well as Petro
was master of his weapon. This much had surprised those who had
supposed him not possessed of the least knowledge of the exercise.
But Petro found him far more than a match for all his boasted skill
and experience, but with great astonishment, he continued to exert
himself to the utmost.

It was a singular scene, that presented by the two combatants thus
arraigned before each other in mortal combat. The Italian heated,
his eyes and face swollen with excitement and passion, while his
antagonist was as calm and unmoved in temper, as though he were
fencing with the foils, and only for pleasure. It was a tragic
scene, as evincing the brute nature to which man can bring himself.

In the heat of the contest, Petro soon lost his temper, while
Carlton, cool and collected, parried his wild and headlong thrusts
with consummate skill; and at length, after showing him how
fruitless were all his efforts to wound him, Carlton by a masterly
movement disarmed his antagonist of his blade, at the same time
striking the left hand of the Italian a blow with the flat of his
sword that laid it bare to the bone!