"What's the trouble?" he asked.
"These murderers are after my life," bellowed Tabuenca.
"Not a bit of it," replied Roberto in a calm voice. "The fact is, we came here to ask this fellow a civil question, and without any reason at all he began to yell and insult me."
"I'll smash your face for you!" interjected Tabuenca.
"Well suppose you try it, and don't stand there talking all day about it!" Roberto taunted,
"Rascal! Coward!"
"It's you who are the coward. You've got as little guts as you have nose."
Tabuenca spat out a series of insults and blasphemies, and turning around, left the place.
"And who's going to pay me for this broken lantern?" asked the mule-driver.
"How much is it worth?" asked Roberto.