"Pooh! Cast aside your anxiety. I will cure you."

"Do you know a remedy, caballero?"

"Yes; an excellent one, which I propose to apply to you."

"A thousand thanks, señor! But perhaps that would give you too much trouble?"

"None in the world. Judge for yourself. I propose to knock out your brains with the butt end of a pistol."

The vaquero shuddered when the words were uttered; but he would not give in. "You really think that remedy would cure me?" said he.

"Radically, I am convinced."

"It may seem very odd, caballero; but, with all due deference, I am obliged to observe, that I am of a totally different opinion."

"You are wrong," replied Don Fernando, coolly cocking a pistol; "you will soon find how efficacious it is."

"And you really think, señor, there is no other remedy?"