"I trust to you entirely for that." "Look! On each side the road are bushes, which seem to have grown for the express purpose." "That is really singular. Well, we will each hide behind one of the bushes, count ten, and then fire." "First-rate; but suppose we miss? I am perfectly well aware that we are both first-rate marksmen, and that is almost impossible; but it might happen." "In that case nothing is more simple: we will draw our machetes and charge each other." "Agreed. Stay, one word more; one of us must remain on the ground, I suppose?" "I should think so. If not, what would be the use of fighting?" "That is true; so promise me one thing." "What is it?" "The survivor will throw the body into the river." "Hum! Then you are very desirous that I should not come to life again?" "Well, you can understand--" "All right, that is agreed." "Thank you." The two men bowed, and then went off in opposite directions, to take up their stations. The distance between them was about seventy yards; in a few seconds a double detonation burst forth like a clap of thunder, and woke up the echoes. The two adversaries then rushed on each other, machete in hand. They met nearly half way, and not uttering a word, attacked each other furiously. The combat lasted a long time, and threatened to continue longer, without any marked advantage for either of the champions, for they were nearly of equal strength, when all at once several men appeared, and, aiming at the two adversaries, ordered them to lay down their arms immediately. Each fell back a step, and waited. "Stop!" the man shouted, who seemed to be the Chief of the newcomers; "do you, John Davis, mount your horse and be off!" "By what right do you give me that order?" the American asked, savagely. "By the right of the stronger," the leader replied. "Be off, if you do not wish a misfortune to happen to you!" John Davis looked around him. Any resistance was impossible--for what could he have done alone, merely armed with a sabre, against twenty individuals? The American stifled an oath, and mounted again, but suddenly reflecting, he asked, "And who may you be, who thus pretend to dictate to me?" "You wish to know?" "Yes." "Well, I am a man to whom you and Colonel Melendez offered an atrocious insult. I am the Monk Antonio!" At this name the two adversaries felt a thrill of terror run through their veins; without doubt the monk was about to avenge himself, now that in his turn he had them in his power. CHAPTER V. BEFORE THE BATTLE. John Davis recovered almost immediately. "Ah, ah!" he said, "Then it is you, my master?" "It astonishes you to meet me here." "On my honour, no. Your place, in my opinion, is wherever a snare is laid; hence nothing is more natural than your presence." "It is wrong, John Davis, for a man to take advantage of his weakness to insult people, especially when he is ignorant of their intentions." "Ah, they appear to me tolerably clear at this moment."