Even when I had you in front of me, and my eyes on you, you managed to knock me down." "Oh, no!" laughed Tom.

"The credit for this stunt belongs to good little Nicolas!" The servant uttered a protesting cry, but too late.

Tom had spoken indiscreetly.
"Nicolas! You?
You little mountain rat of a _peon_!" growled Gato.

"Excellent! I am glad I know, for I shall destroy you." Nicolas cowered and shivered before the baleful glare in the larger Mexican's eyes.

But Tom took a savage grip of one of Gato's shoulders, digging in with his pressure until he made the scoundrel wince.
"You'd better go slow with that talk, Gato," Tom warned him.
"If you don't we'll turn you over to Nicolas to do with as he pleases." "All right," sneered Gato, not a whit dismayed.