iled to beget compliance, they were instantly followed by a
blow from the blade of his sabre. It was given sideways, but with
sufficient sleight and force to send the Guayaquil hat whirling over the
pavement, and its wearer reeling against the wall.

It was but the stagger of a sudden and unexpected surprise. In another
instant the "gringo" had drawn a revolving pistol, and in yet another
its bullet would have been through the brain of the swaggering
aggressor, but for a third personage, who, rushing from behind, laid
hold of the Kentuckian's arm, and restrained the firing.

At first it seemed to Hamersley the act of another enemy; but in a
moment he knew it to be the behaviour of a friend--at least a
pacificator bent upon seeing fair play.

"You are wrong, Captain Uraga," interposed he who had intermeddled,
addressing himself to the officer. "This gentleman is a stranger in the
country, and not acquainted with our customs."

"Then it is time the heretico should be taught them, and, at the same
time, respect for the Holy Church. But what right, Colonel Miranda,
have you to interfere?"

"The right, first of humanity, second of hospitality, and third that I
am your superior officer."

"Bah! You mistake yourself. Remember, senor coronel, you are not in
your own district. If it was in Albuquerque, I might take commands from
you. This is the city of Chihuahua."

"Chihuahua or not, you shall be made answerable for this outrage. Don't
imagine that your patron, Santa Anna, is now Dictator, with power to
endorse such base conduct as yours. You seem to forget, Captain Uraga,
that you carry your commission under a new regime--one that holds itself
responsible, not only to fixed laws, but to the code of decency--
responsible also for international courtesy to the great Republic of
which, I believe, this gentleman is a citizen."

"Bah!" once more exclaimed the bedizened bully. "Preach your _palabras_
to ears that have time to listen to them. I shan't stop the procession
for either you or your Yankee protege. So you can both go to the
devil."

With this benevolent permission the captain of lancers struck the spurs
into his horse, and once more placed himself at the head of his troop.
The crowd collected by the exciting episode soon scattered away--the
sooner that the strange gentleman, along with his generous defender, had
disappeared from the portico, having gone inside the inn.

The procession was still pas