> > But not to actually *cross* until he's won - and arguably he's trying
>> to do just that.
>
>Perhaps we and you are not seeing the same things. I assume that the two
>protagonists are at opposite ends of the bridge, physically blocking
>passage, shouting verbal abuse at each other. If this is the case, then
>attempting to ride down the foot trooper doesn't mean he has "crossed" the
>bridge, as he is still on it. (Crossing being determined as "having passed
>beyond the end of the bridge and onto the ground on the far side").
>
>Are you picturing a different situation? Are the two protagonists *not*
>physically blocking the bridge?
>Does "Crossing" mean something to you that doesn't mesh with what I just
>described?
It really depends on the situation - if the men are at least
nominally allies arguing over who should permit the other to go first
then actually going first would essentially nullify the contest.
--
--
"The T'ang emperors were strong believers in the pills of
immortality. More emperors died of poisoning from ingesting minerals
in the T'ang than in any other dynasty" - Eva Wong _The Shambhala
Guide to Taoism_
Paul K.