72. The champion who fires must stop; but he may halt without firing, take aim, and continue to advance.
73. In the pistol duel called _au signal_, the signal is to be given by the second of the offended party by three claps on the hand, three seconds being counted between each clap, which will take up nine seconds; or two seconds, which will take up six seconds. In other cases, the seconds draw lots for giving the signal.
74. The combatants, when they have received their arms, are to walk, but keep the muzzles of the pistols pointing to the ground; at the first signal they will raise their arms, take aim at the second signal, and fire simultaneously at the third.
75. If one of the combatants fires before the third signal, or half a second after it, he is to be considered as a dishonourable man, and, if his antagonist is killed, an assassin; and if he fires before the signal without effect, his opponent has a right to take as much time as he thinks proper to level at him and shoot him.
76. If one of the parties has fired agreeably to the stipulated signal, and his antagonist has dishonourably reserved his fire, it is the duty of the seconds, _at all risk and peril_, to rush upon him and disarm him. In this case, the party who had observed the rules has a right to demand another duel of a different form.
77. The second who is to give the signal, should warn the combatants of the nature of the signal, in a loud and audible voice, in the following words: “Recollect, gentlemen, that honour demands that you should only fire upon the third signal being given; that you are not to raise your arm until the first signal, and not to fire until the third. I am now going to give the signals, which will consist of three claps on the hand.”
78. In _the duel with sabres_, the seconds should endeavour to have it fought with short sabres, these arms being less fatal than the long ones.
79. The ground taken, the antagonists are to be placed opposite each other, at the distance of one foot from their sabre points.
80. In general these duels are fought with cuff-gloves; but, otherwise, the parties may wrap a handkerchief round their hand and wrist, provided that no end is allowed to hang down.