the big Mexican bully to earth again.

"Now get up, Gato, like a man of intelligence, and behave yourself,"
advised Reade coolly. "Just because we have had a bad introduction
is no reason why we should continue enemies. You treat me with
proper respect and I'll do as much for you."

But Gato snarled like a wild beast. He was not armed. With every
man in these Bonista mountains afraid of him, Gato had never felt
the need of carrying weapons. But now he plunged to the doorway
of the shaft house, then came bounding back, flourishing a knife
that he had snatched from one of the _peons_.

"Back! Back, Gato!" shouted Dr. Tisco, rushing from the office
building.

To the secretary Gato paid no heed. He was close to Tom now,
circling cautiously around the young engineer. Harry, though not
at all minded to bolt, had stepped back far enough to give Reade
elbow room.

"Stop, Gato!" shouted Don Luis. "It is I who command it--I, Don
Luis. Throw your knife on the ground."

Gato snarled, but he was cowed. The brutal manager held his employer
in awe. He was about to cast his weapon down when Tom Reade
interposed.

"Don Luis, I ask you to let the fellow go on. This question will
have to be settled right before we can proceed. This fellow is
only a coward, or he wouldn't need a knife in fighting with a man
half his size."

"Better throw away your knife, my good Gato," purred Don Luis,
"or Senor Reade will shoot you."

"I won't," Tom retorted. "I couldn't, anyway. I am not armed.
I never was enough afraid of any one to carry weapons. But let
Gato go on with his knife. If he fails, then I shall hit him until
my arm aches."

"Stop, Senor Reade! I command it!" cried Don Luis, imperiously.
"And you, Gato, throw down your knife. I will not have fighting
here among men who must be friends."

But Gato, after hearing himself described as a coward, saw only
red before his eyes. He must have this Gringo's life, and that
quickly. Afterwards he would explain and seek Don Luis's pardon.

"If you prefer, Gato, we will shake hands and forget this," suggested
Tom Reade.

"Ah, so you are afraid?" sneered the mine manager.

"Try me and see, if you prefer that," Tom retorted.

With a snarl Gato circled closer. Don Luis Montez snatched from
one of his pockets a silver-mounted revolver, but Hazelton caught
the flash and in the next instant he had wrenched the pistol away
from the mine owner.

"This is Reade's figh