epted
had no thought of being insulted. Neither do I believe that our host
or the gentlemen present intended that I should be. You have without
provocation on my part, insulted my Queen and called her subjects
cowards. The country that gave me birth never produced cowards and I
want to convince you that I am not an exception." With this I dealt
him a terrific blow in the face.

He fell heavily to the floor and all was confusion. Men leaped on
tables and chairs. Cries of "Down with the foreigner!" were heard on
every side. Then my British friends came over to where I stood, one of
they saying, "Good, Jack, the coward deserved it! Let us stand side by
side and show them how the Queen's subjects can defend themselves!"

I can see him now, his auburn hair disarranged and partially hanging
over his forehead, his blue eyes sparkling with indignation, his right
hand holding a revolver. The other said, "There are only three of us
but we will show them how Britishers can fight," at the same time
drawing his Colt's. I had also pulled my gun, anticipating the worst,
when the American drew near and said: "Jack, I know nothing of your
Queen or country; I am an American, but you did right, and what I
would do under similar circumstances. I will stand by you, although we
have little chance against such odds."

By this time Don Rodrigo had been assisted to his feet, blood all over
his face. The uproar ceased for a few minutes, as the crowd was
without a leader. The blow had told with effect--two front teeth were
gone and both eyes were discolored, caused, I think, by him coming in
contact with the floor. In a few moments cries of "Down with the
foreigner," again commenced. We knew it threatened our lives, but when
they looked down the barrels of four revolvers they knew it also
threatened some of their lives.

Springing on a chair, I asked them to listen to me. I told them that
the quarrel they had witnessed had been sought by Don Rodrigo against
me; and I asked why others should suffer? Let him finish his quarrel
with me now or at any other time he chose--I would always meet him,
and surely gentlemen such as I knew them to be would not so far forget
themselves as to endeavor to overcome us, who had never done them
harm?

This appeal was effective. Don Rodrigo had been washed, and never did
I see a face with such devilish and malignant expression. I was young
and strong, with quite a knowledge of the art of self defense, and I
w