“Cheerfully!  Ask your questions slowly.”

“Onderstan’ further,” chattered the Spaniard, “regardless of the ’appenings to me, it shall never come to pass.  Soch disgraceful occurrence shall never transpire; of that be assure’, even if it exac’ the las’ drops of blood in the veins of me.  I ’ave despised you, senor, an’ so I ‘ave neglec’ to keel you, being busy with important affairs of government.  Bot, ’ow am I reward for those neglec’?  Eh!” Alfarez breathed ferociously through his nostrils.

“I don’t know, I’m sure.  What is your reward?”

“Very well are you aware, Pig.”

“Nix on those pet names,” the American ordered, gruffly.

“You ’ave insolt me,” cried Ramon, furiously, “and now you ’ave the insolence to interfere in my affairs.”  He paused dramatically.  “Make it yourself ready to fight on to-morrow.”

“What’s the use of putting it off?  I couldn’t make your weight in that time.  I’ll do it now, if you say.”

“No, no!  Onderstan’ we shall fight like gentlemen.  I shall keel you with any weapon you prefer.”

“By Jove!” Kirk exclaimed, in amazement.  “This is a challenge; you want to fight a duel!  Why, this reads like a book.”  He began to laugh, at which Ramon became white and calm.  “Listen,” Kirk went on, “I’ll tell you what we’ll do; we’ll fight with fire-hose again.  I suppose you want satisfaction for that ducking.”

“I prefer to shoot you, senor,” the other declared, quietly.  “Those marriage shall never occur until first I walk upon your dead body.  As matter of honor I offer you this opportunity biffore it is too late.”

“I guess you have been drinking.  You’re a little premature in talking about my marriage, aren’t you?”

“So!  You fear to confess the truth!  Oh, I am not to be deceive’.  All Panama is speaking of those engagements to Senorita Garavel.  Come, then, must I insolt you further?”

Kirk replied, dryly, looking the Spaniard over with, cold blue eyes.  “No!  I think you’ve gone about far enough.”

“You riffuse?” exclaimed Ramon, triumphantly.

“Look here!” said Kirk, “I’ve had enough of this.”  He advanced threateningly, and the Spaniard nervously gave way.  “I don’t fight duels; it’s against the law.  In my country it’s a crime to kill a man in cold blood; and we don’t tie a fellow up and beat him when he’s helpless and then offer him the honorable satisfaction of either committing murder or being killed.  They’re not wearing duels this season.”  His hands clenched involuntarily.  “I don’t want to hurt you, Alfarez, but I may not be able to help it if you don’t keep out of my way.”

He left the fiery little Panamanian still scowling and muttering threats, and went his way wondering vaguely how his attentions to Chiquita had become so quickly known.  He was informed later in the afternoon.