ne, jealousy, old hatreds,
and the dance, began to look more savage and sulky. The fringed
hunting-shirts and brown homespun frocks found favour with the dark-eyed
majas of Mexico, partly out of a respect for, and a fear of, courage,
which is often at the bottom of a love like theirs.

Although the trading caravans supplied almost all the commerce of Santa
Fe, and it was clearly the interest of its inhabitants to be on good
terms with the traders, the two races, Anglo-American and
Hispano-Indian, hated each other thoroughly; and that hate was now
displaying itself on one side in bullying contempt, on the other in
muttered _carrajos_ and fierce looks of vengeance.

I was still chatting with my lively partner. We were seated on the
banquette where I had introduced myself. On looking casually up, a
bright object met my eyes. It appeared to be a naked knife in the hands
of _su marido_ who was just then lowering over us like the shadow of an
evil spirit. I was favoured with only a slight glimpse of this
dangerous meteor, and had made up my mind to "'ware steel," when someone
plucked me by the sleeve, and turning, I beheld my quondam acquaintance
of the purple magna.

"Dispensadme, senor," said he, nodding graciously, "I have just learned
that the caravan is going on to Chihuahua."

"True, there is no market here for our goods."

"You go on then, of course?"

"Certainly, I must."

"Will you return this way, senor?"

"It is very likely; I have no other intention at present."

"Perhaps then you might be willing to part with your horse? You will
find many as good in the great valley of the Mississippi."

"Neither is likely."

"But, senor, should you be inclined to do so, will you promise me the
refusal of him?"

"Oh! that I will promise you, with all my heart."

Our conversation was here interrupted by a huge, gaunt, half-drunken
Missourian, who, tramping rudely upon the stranger's toes, vociferated--

"Ye--up, old greaser! gi' mi a char."

"Y porque?" (And why?) demanded the Mexican, drawing in his feet, and
looking up with astonished indignation.

"I'm tired jumpin'. I want a seat, that's it, old hoss."

There was something so bullying and brutal in the conduct of this man,
that I felt called upon to interfere.

"Come!" said I, addressing him, "you have no right to deprive this
gentleman of his seat, much less in such a fashion."

"Eh, mister? who asked you to open yer head? Ye--up, I say!" and