In another instant his bared blade was waving over the hatted head of the Kentuckian.
"_Gringo! alto su sombrero! Abajo! a sus rodillas_!" ("Off with your hat, greenhorn! Down upon your knees!") were the words that came hissing from the moustached lips of the lancer.
As they failed to beget compliance, they were instantly followed by a blow from the blade of his sabre.

It was given sideways, but with sufficient sleight and force to send the Guayaquil hat whirling over the pavement, and its wearer reeling against the wall.
It was but the stagger of a sudden and unexpected surprise.

In another instant the "gringo" had drawn a revolving pistol, and in yet another its bullet would have been through the brain of the swaggering aggressor, but for a third personage, who, rushing from behind, laid hold of the Kentuckian's arm, and restrained the firing.
At first it seemed to Hamersley the act of another enemy; but in a moment he knew it to be the behaviour of a friend--at least a pacificator bent upon seeing fair play.
"You are wrong, Captain Uraga," interposed he who had intermeddled, addressing himself to the officer.

"This gentleman is a stranger in the country, and not acquainted with our customs." "Then it is time the heretico should be taught them, and, at the same time, respect for the Holy Church.

But what right, Colonel Miranda, have you to interfere ?" "The right, first of humanity, second of hospitality, and third that I am your superior officer." "Bah! You mistake yourself.