e soon found, and who
readily lent him a pair of forceps, with which he returned to the
residence of Don Diego. Considering his size, Will deemed it advisable
to have Larry and Muggins standing by ready to hold him if he should
prove obstreperous. This was a wise precaution, for, the moment Will
began to pull at the obstinate grinder, the gigantic Don began to roar
and then to struggle. The tooth was terribly firm. Will did not wonder
that the native dentist had failed. The first wrench had no effect on
it. The second--a very powerful one--was equally futile, but it caused
Don Diego to roar hideously and to kick, so Will gave a nod to his
assistants, who unceremoniously seized the big man in their iron gripe
and held him fast. Then our hero threw all his strength into a final
effort, and the tooth came out with a crash, and, along with it, a
terrible yell from Don Diego, who sent Larry and Muggins staggering
against the wall! The relief experienced by the poor man was almost
instantaneous; as soon as he could speak he thanked Will in fervid
Spanish, and with genuine gratitude.

It is interesting to observe how often matters of apparently slight
moment in human affairs form turning-points which lead to important
results. The incident which we have just related caused Don Diego to
entertain such kindly feelings towards Will Osten, that he not only
invited him to stay at his house with his companions during their
residence in Tacames, but insisted on his accepting a very large fee for
the service he had rendered him. Of course this was not objected to in
the circumstances, but a still better piece of good fortune than this
befell the wanderers. Will found that a number of the inhabitants had
been attacked with dysentery, and that the ignorance of the vendor of
physic was so great, that he could do nothing for them, except make a
few daring experiments, which were eminently unsuccessful. To these
poor invalids our embryo doctor was so useful, that after a few days
dosing with proper medicine, their health and spirits began to improve
rapidly, and their gratitude was such that they heaped upon him every
delicacy that the place afforded, such as bananas, plantains, oranges,
lemons, pumpkins, melons, sweet potatoes, beef, goat's flesh, venison,
and pork, besides filling his pockets with doubloons! Thus it came to
pass, that from absolute destitution Will and his comrades suddenly
leaped into a condition of compara