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 fight, Don Luis," Harry explained.
"Hand back my pistol instantly," hissed Don Luis.
"Not until the fight is decided, Don Luis," Harry rejoined.

Slipping the weapon into one of his own pockets he retreated a few yards.
Suddenly Gato sprang, the knife uplifted.

Tom Reade leaped in the same fraction of a second.