A WHIP DUEL 361 



He had taken down one of the insulted triple-handled 

 whips from the shelf in his bunk, and stood in a fighting 

 attitude. This promised well. We all looked at 

 Hanssen. He had gone too far to be able to draw 

 back; he had to fight. He took his weapon in his 

 hand, and entered the "ring." The conditions were 

 arranged and accepted by both parties; they were 

 to fight until one of the handles was broken. And 

 then the whip duel began. The opponents were very 

 serious over it. One, two, three the first blow fell, 

 handle against handle. The combatants had shut their 

 eyes and awaited the result; when they opened them 

 again, they shone with happy surprise both handles 

 were as whole as before. Now each of them was 

 really delighted with his own handle, and the blows 

 fell faster. Stubberud, who was standing with his 

 back to the table, got so excited over the unexpected 

 result that, every time he raised his weapon, he gave 

 the edge of the table a resounding smack without 

 knowing it. How many rounds had been fought I 

 do not know, when I heard a crack, followed by the 

 words: ' There you can see, old man!" As Stubberud 

 left the ring, I was able to see Hanssen. He stood 

 on the battle-field, eyeing his whip; it looked like a 

 broken lily. The spectators had not been silent; they 

 had followed the fight with excitement, amid laughter 

 and shouts. "That's right, Stubberud. Don't give 

 in !" ' Bravo, Hanssen ! that's a good one !" 



