Chapter 19 Summary

The prizefight between fighters from the Army and the Navy is part of the day's festivities that concludes with the ball in the evening. It is a well-attended social event for the men and is heavily bet on. The fight goes on for so long that there is talk of stopping it before one or both of the fighters dies. Dirk enters into a bet with Zergeyev. The terms are that the winner can ask either of them a question on anything. Zergeyev bets on the Navy and Dirk bets on the Army. The fight ends.

Chapter 19 Analysis

Even though the prizefight is a social event, the two fighters are from the Army and the Navy. The honor of the services is at stake for them.