Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/91

Rh bystanders that I was unarmed, they separated us, and we parted in bitter enmity; after arranging to meet early on the next morning to fight it out.

" 'At this time, contrary to the prevailing habits of the léperos, in addition to begging and gambling, I endeavoured to obtain a subsistence by carrying goods for the merchants and store-keepers; for I had a wife and two young children, whom I loved better than I was at all aware of: as I found out when I had lost them. On this account especially, therefore, I looked forward with no pleasant feeling's to my morning's encounter.

" 'Although such fights were as common as the day amongst us, such was the delight many of our companions of the preceding evening found in the affair, that they were on the ground before us. They cleared something like a circle for our operations, and awaited, apparently in the highest glee, for the issue of the conflict. Throwing our ragged serapes over our left arms, we at first made but cautious flourishes and distant passes with our knives: then the play grew warmer, and I soon perceived that my adversary, though more cunning in other matters, was by no