It was quite sufficient for Don Tadeo to remind them of these two episodes, which doubtless did not redound to their credit, to shake himself free of their importunities. I admired the power that gave my companion an experience, evidently acquired at great personal risk, among the most dangerous bravos of the Mexican brotherhood.
"Ah!" said Don Tadeo, turning at last to me, "will you now enlighten me, Señor Cavalier, about the affair which has brought you hither? It must be something very delicate, since only those cases are brought to me which my brother lawyers consider insurmountable. It was doubtless one of these lawyers who advised you to address yourself to me."
I named the licentiate who had extolled the intrepid heart and good sword of Don Tadeo. He shook his head with a disdainful smile.
"The business in question is a dangerous one," replied he, "I can easily see that. The man who recommended me to you is my declared enemy, and he does not send me such jobs for nothing. Besides, perhaps I am a little too ready to draw in the public streets after nightfall. What of it? I am of Seville, and one hasn't passed several years of one's life among the fighting men in the suburb of Triana for nothing."
"Are you a Spaniard?"
"Of course; and, before being a lawyer, I was what you call a go-ahead fellow—uracan y calavera. You see before you a student of Salamanca—of that beautiful city:
"'En Salamanca, la tuna
Anduve marzo y abril.
Niñas he visto mas de mil
Pero como tu, ninguna.'[23]