"It is most amusing, señor," I replied. "That any one could be foolish enough to imagine the possibility of intimidating Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike is little short of ridiculous."
"Por Dios! Say rather it is an absurdity to expect courteous compliance from the bearer of so barbarous a name."
"How of my name?" I asked, with mock concern. "Is it also displeasing to you?"
He stepped close to me, with a menacing look. "Your name, Señor Spy, is one to be linked in infamy with that of your double-dyed traitor, General Wilkinson, who for twenty years and more has been in the regular pay of His Most Catholic Majesty."
My palm struck full across his mouth with a force that sent him reeling. For a moment he stood in speechless fury, plucking at his sword-hilt. I grasped the back of the chair in which I had been sitting, for my pistols were in the bedchamber, and I had no mind to be run through. But Walker stepped between us, and muttered a hasty word to Medina. The latter made a sign for him to follow, and strode out into the court. Walker was out and back in two minutes.
"Sacre!" he protested, in great concern. "What am I to do? He insists that I shall serve as his second. Yet with you as my guest—"
"Accept, by all means. It would give me great pleasure. My one desire is to keep this from my friend. The fewer who know of it the better."
"But a second for yourself?" he questioned. "Entre nous, I should far prefer to serve you than your opponent."
"My thanks. But doubtless Lieutenant Don Faciendo will second me. I will call upon him at once, and you can follow with such communications as Lieutenant Medina desires to transmit."
"At your bidding, doctor. Nom de Dieu! what a blow you gave him! and with the open hand! My lips are now sealed—yet it is a fact that you have choice of weapons. You will of course advise with Lieutenant Malgares."