Part 14 (1/2)

”But after what's pa.s.sed, will you ever speak to her again?”

”Ay, that will I--in a way that'll make her listen to me.”

”But, surely, you don't still intend proposing to her?”

”Perhaps. Though not till I've finished this affair with the fellow who interrupted me. Yes; I'll give her every chance to save herself. She shall say yea, or nay, in straight speech, and in so many words. After that, I'll understand how to act. But come! we're wasting time. A duel's a thing won't do to dally over. Do you intend to meet your man, or not?”

”I'd rather not,” replies the poltroon, hesitatingly; ”that is, if the thing can be arranged. Do you think it can, De Lara?”

”Of course, it can; your _thing_, as you call it; though not without disgrace to you. You should fight him, Faustino.”

”Well; if you say I should, why, I suppose I must. I never fired a pistol in my life, and am only second-rate with the sword. I can handle a _machete_, or a _cuchilla_, when occasion calls for it; but these weapons won't be admitted in a duel between gentlemen. I suppose the sailor fellow claims to be one?”

”Undoubtedly he does, and with good reason. An officer belonging to a British man-of-war would call you out for questioning his claim to the epithet. But I think you underrate your skill with the small-sword.

I've seen you doing very well with that weapon--at Roberto's fencing-school.”

”Yes; I took lessons there. But fencing is very different from fighting.”

”Never mind. When you get on the duelling-ground, fancy yourself within the walls of Roberto's shooting-gallery, and that you are about to take a fresh lesson in the _art d'escrime_. About all, choose the sword for your weapon.”

”How can I, if I am to be the challenger?”

”You needn't be. There's a way to get over that. The English officers are not going straight back to their s.h.i.+p; not likely before a late hour of the night. After returning from their ride, I take it they'll stay to dinner at Don Gregorio's; and with wine to give them a start, they'll be pretty sure to have a cruise, as they call it, through the town.

There, you may meet your man; and can insult him, by giving him a cuff, spitting in his face--anything to put the onus of challenging upon him.”

”_Por Dios_! I'll do as you say.”

”That's right. Now let us think of what's before us. As we are both to be princ.i.p.als, we can't stand seconds to one another. I know who'll act for me. Have you got a friend you can call upon?”

”Don Manuel Diaz. He's the only one I can think of.”

”Don Manuel will do. He's a cool hand, and knows all the regulations of the _duello_. But he's not at home to-day. As I chance to know, he's gone to a _funcion de gallos_ at Punta Pedro; and by this time should be in the c.o.c.k-pit.”

”Why can't we go there? Or had we better send?”

”Better send, I think. Time's precious--at least mine is. As you know, I must be at the monte table soon as the lamps are lit. If I'm not, the bank will go begging, and we may lose our customers. Besides, there's my own second to look up, which must be done this day before I lay a hand upon the cards. What hour is it? I've not brought my timepiece with me.”

”Twelve o'clock, and a quarter past,” answers Calderon, after consulting his watch.

”Only that! Then we'll have plenty of time to get to Punta Pedro, and witness a main. Don Manuel has a big bet on his _pardo_. I'd like myself to stake a doubloon or two on that bird. Yes, on reflection, we'd better go to the _pelea de gallos_. That will be the surest way to secure the services of Diaz. _Vamonos_!”

At this the two intending duellists again set their steeds in motion; and, riding for a short distance along the sh.o.r.e-road, turn into another, which will take them to Punta Pedro.

With jealous anger still unappeased, they urge their horses into a gallop, riding as if for life, on an errand whose upshot may be death-- to one or both of them.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A ”PASEO DE CABALLO.”

The promontory called Punta Pedro is not in San Francis...o...b..y, but on the outside coast of the Pacific. To reach it from the former, it is necessary to traverse the dividing ridge between the two waters--this a spur of the ”Coast Range,” which, running higher as it trends southward, is known to Spanish Californians as the San Bruno Mountains.