Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/130

106 "Thou art a malignant demon unfit to be turned loose!" vociferated the Naquaian.

"Thou art a wicked fiend, fresh from purgatory!" was the rejoinder of his adversary.

As may be readily conjectured such pleasant observations could only be introductory to blows—and blows and thrusts soon came of them accordingly. They were both armed with knives; and in a few minutes, the Naquaian contrived to plunge his weapon with such effect into the right arm of the other, that he was unable to continue the engagement upon any terms. The labourers belonging to the assailed plantation, seeing their leader defeated and wounded, beat a speedy retreat, bearing his bleeding person in the midst, and leaving the elated Naquaians undisputed masters of the field.

So effectually was the aggressive plantation maltreated and destroyed by its incensed visitors, that it subsequently became worthless; and its owner disposed of it for a trifling sum, soon after recovering from his wound. And to this day the Naqua tobacco-estate remains without a rival in its immediate vicinity.