I was still chatting with my lively partner. We were seated on the banquette where I had introduced myself. On looking casually up, a bright object met my eyes. It appeared to be a naked knife in the hands of _su marido_ who was just then lowering over us like the shadow of an evil spirit. I was favoured with only a slight glimpse of this dangerous meteor, and had made up my mind to "'ware steel," when someone plucked me by the sleeve, and turning, I beheld my quondam acquaintance of the purple magna. "Dispensadme, senor," said he, nodding graciously, "I have just learned that the caravan is going on to Chihuahua." "True, there is no market here for our goods." "You go on then, of course?" "Certainly, I must." "Will you return this way, senor?" "It is very likely; I have no other intention at present." "Perhaps then you might be willing to part with your horse? You will find many as good in the great valley of the Mississippi." "Neither is likely." "But, senor, should you be inclined to do so, will you promise me the refusal of him?" "Oh! that I will promise you, with all my heart." Our conversation was here interrupted by a huge, gaunt, half-drunken Missourian, who, tramping rudely upon the stranger's toes, vociferated-- "Ye--up, old greaser! gi' mi a char." "Y porque?" (And why?) demanded the Mexican, drawing in his feet, and looking up with astonished indignation. "I'm tired jumpin'. I want a seat, that's it, old hoss." There was something so bullying and brutal in the conduct of this man, that I felt called upon to interfere. "Come!" said I, addressing him, "you have no right to deprive this gentleman of his seat, much less in such a fashion." "Eh, mister? who asked you to open yer head? Ye--up, I say!" and at the word, he seized the Mexican by the corner of his manga, as if to drag him from his seat. Before I had time to reply to this rude speech and gesture, the stranger leaped to his feet, and with a well-planted blow felled the bully upon the floor. This seemed to act as a signal for bringing several other quarrels to a climax. There was a rush through all parts of the sala, drunken shouts mingled with yells of vengeance, knives glanced from their sheaths, women screamed, pistols flashed and cracked, filling the rooms with smoke and dust. The lights went out, fierce struggles could be heard in the darkness, the fall of heavy bodies amidst groans and curses, and for five minutes these were the only sounds.