決 鬥

In 1793, the Prussian officers of the garrison of Colberg established an economical mess. They observed one day an old major of hussars, who was covered with the scars of wounds received in the Seven Years' War. The conversation turned on duels.

A young stout-built cornet began to prate in an authorative tone on the subject."And you, major, how many duels have you fought?"

"None, thank heaven," answered the old major."I have 14 wounds, and, heaven be praised, there is not one in my back."

"But you shall fight a duel with me," said the cornet, reaching across to give him a blow. The major, agitated, was getting up when all the other officers present cried,"Don't stir, major!" The officers joined in seizing the cornet. They threw him out at the window, and sat down again to table as if nothing had occurred.

一七九三年，科爾伯格 衞戍部隊的普魯士軍官成立廉價食堂。有一天，他們看見一個年長的輕騎兵少校，身上滿是七年戰爭期間所受傷疤。大家漸漸談到決鬥。

一個年輕壯健的掌旗軍官以很權威的語氣，在這話題上誇誇其談。「少校，你身經幾場決鬥？」
那年長少校回答：「謝天謝地，一場都沒有。我身上有十四個傷疤，值得慶幸的，是都來自和敵人正面交鋒，背上一個傷疤都沒有。」

那掌旗軍官說：「但你得和我決鬥。」他伸手到對面，打了那少校一下。那少校很憤慨，正要站起來，在場所有其他軍官高喊：「少校，不要動！」他們合力抓住那掌旗軍官，從窗口拋出去，然後若無其事，再次坐下來吃飯。

（古德明）