sing, and its irresistible attractions swept
the loiterers along in its current--most of them soon forgetting a scene
which, in that land, where "law secures not life," is of too frequent
occurrence to be either much thought of or for long remembered.

CHAPTER TWO.

A FRIEND IN NEED.

The young Kentuckian was half frenzied by the insult he had received.
The proud blood of his republican citizenship was boiling within his
veins. What was he to do?

In the agony of his dilemma he put the question to the gentleman who,
beyond all doubt, had restrained him from committing manslaughter.

The latter was an entire stranger to him--never seen him before. He was
a man of less than thirty years of age, wearing a broad-brimmed hat upon
his head, a cloth jacket, slashed _calzoneras_, and a red crape scarf
around his waist--in short, the _ranchero_ costume of the country.
Still, there was a military bearing about him that corresponded to the
title by which the lancer captain had addressed him.

"Caballero," he said in reply, "if your own safety be of any consequence
to you I should advise you to take no further notice of the incident
that has arisen, however much it may have exasperated you, as no doubt
it has done."

"Pardon me, senor; but not for all the world would I follow your
advice--not for my life. I am an American--a Kentuckian. We do not
take blows without giving something of the same in return. I must have
redress."

"If you seek it by the law I may as well warn you, you won't have much
chance of finding it."

"I know that. The law! I did not think of such a thing. I am a
gentleman; I suppose this Captain Uraga supposes himself to be the same,
and will not refuse to give me the usual satisfaction."

"He may refuse, and very likely will, on the plea of your being a
stranger--only a barbarian, a _Tejano_ or _gringo_, as he has put it."

"I am alone here--what am I to do?"

The Kentuckian spoke half in soliloquy, his countenance expressing
extreme chagrin.

"_Fuez, senor_!" responded the Mexican colonel, "if you're determined on
a _desafio_ I think I might arrange it. I feel that I am myself a
little compromised by my interference; and if you'll accept of me for
your second, I think I can answer for it that Captain Uraga will not
dare to deny us."

"Colonel Miranda--your name, I believe--need I attempt to express my
thanks for so much generosity? I cannot--I could not. You have removed
the v