intended to any man, much less
to any honourable lady. So it was in this case, and in the name of the
loyal town of Sarria, I express my regret. If these words be sufficient,
here is my hand. The Cafe de Madrid, sir, begs your acceptance of a
bottle of the best within its cellars. But if your lordship be still
offended, there are twenty men here who are ready to meet you on the
field of honour. For I would have you know, gentlemen, that we are also
_Caballeros_. But it must be with the weapons in the use of which we
have some skill--the cloak wrapped about the left arm, the Manchegan
knife in the right hand. Or, if our Aragonese custom please not your
honours, I make myself personally responsible for any words that may
have been spoken; aye, and will be proud to stand out upon the hillside
and exchange shots with you till you are fully satisfied--standing up,
man to man, at one hundred yards. This I do because the offence was
given in my nephew's _cafe_, and because for forty years I have been
called the Valiant Man of Sarria!"

The ancient Gaspar stood before them, alternately patting the stock of
his blunderbuss and pulling the ragged ends of his long white
moustachios, till Rollo, who could recognise true courage when he saw
it, stepped up to him, and making a low bow held out a hand, which the
other immediately grasped amid plaudits from the assembled company.

"You are a brave man, a valiant man, indeed, Senor----" he was
beginning.

"Gaspar Perico, at your service--of the wars of the Independence!"
interrupted the old man, proudly.

"You have not forgotten the use of your weapons, _Senor Valiente_!" said
the young Scot. "Take off your hat, Etienne," he added in French, "and
accept the old fellow's apology as graciously as you can. I am your
second, and have arranged the matter for you already!"

With a little grumbling Etienne complied, and was graciously pleased to
allow himself to be appeased. Rollo felt for him, for he himself knew
well what it is to itch to fight somebody and yet have to put up one's
sword with the point untried. But a new feeling had come into his soul.
A steadying-rein was thrown over his shoulder--the best that can be set
to diminish the ardours of a firebrand like this hot-headed Scot. This
was responsibility. He was upon a mission of vast importance, and though
he cared about the rights and wrongs of the affair not at all, and would
just as soon have taken service with the red and ye