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 sidered it dishonorable to lie down on the ground or to kneel behind their firing-lines. And the consequence? The officers were shot down at the very first charge! That is a slightly illusory heroism. I shall risk my life only on an important occasion—in matters of nonsense I shall protect it. Thus every respectable soldier feels and does—unless he is a crack-brained lunatic!

“‘That's true!’

“‘Šetina is right.’

“‘Wholly right.’

“A few other expressions of approval were heard around the room.

“Martini’s hand trembled. His dark face grew crimson. Ominous lightnings flashed from his eyes.

“‘Lieutenant,’ he said, controlling himself and forcing his voice into the tones of a formal conversation, ‘I demand that you moderate your expressions. That is the opinion I hold.’

“He laid special stress on the word ‘I.’ We understood him. Martini was known to be the best swordsman in the whole battalion. Neither did his revolver ever miss aim.

“Suddenly we began to comprehend the gravity of the situation. However, before a single appeasing word could be spoken, Šetina arose and said with forced calmness, ‘Lieutenant, I have given my private judgment of a man who would, according to your principles, lay claim to the name of a hero.’