In ordinary cases of physical decline a physician was needed most, but so far as young Edward Fulton was concerned, a barber could render the greatest service.
The petition, duly endorsed and stamped, was forwarded to Colonel Martin Sandoval y Dominguez, and, after being gravely considered by him in the manner befitting a Mexican officer of high rank and pure Spanish descent, received approval.

Then he chose among the barbers one Joaquin Menendez, a dark fellow who was not of pure Spanish descent, and sent him to the prison with de Zavala to accomplish the needed task.
"I hope you will be happy now, Edward," said Mr.Austin, when the two Mexicans came.

"You are a good boy, but it seems to me that you have been making an undue fuss about your hair." "I'm quite sure I shall recover fast," said Ned.
It was hard for him to hide his happiness from the others.

He felt a thrill of joy every time the steel of the scissors clicked together and a lock of hair fell to the floor.

But Joaquin Menendez, the barber, had a Southern temperament and the soul of an artist.