"'Be careful, my friend,' said I, as he flourished a pistol before my face, and talked of what he intended doing if I did not leave the room. 'It is my will that this old man shall not drink the stuff you have poured out for him. Surely that is sufficient.'
"'It is not sufficient,' he answered, his temper fairly getting the better of him. 'You have intruded where you are not wanted, and I, for one, am not content to tolerate your behaviour.'
"'Of course that is for you to decide,' I retorted. 'If you don't like it, you can go outside. I don't intend to budge.'
"I could see that he was anxious for a row, and determined to give him a little lesson in the proprieties. I had not been very popular for some time, and was glad of the opportunity to show them what I was able to accomplish if the occasion should arise. Accordingly, I took my revolver from my pocket, and, bidding one of the bystanders toss a coin into the air, clipped it first shot.
"'Now,' I said, turning to the individual who, a moment before, had been so anxious to have my blood, 'you have seen what I can do with this little instrument. I am even better when the target is a man. Perhaps you are still dissatisfied with my behaviour.'
"'No, Señor,' he replied. 'Allow me to say that I am more than satisfied.'
"'Very good,' I answered. 'In that case you will oblige me by drinking with me.'
"Turning to the landlord, I ordered a glass of _Agoadente de Cana_, and when it had been supplied to me once more addressed my antagonist.
"'Let us clink glasses together,' I said, holding mine out to him.
"'But I have no glass,' he replied, and thinking that I did not intend to provide it, was about to order some refreshment for himself.
"'One moment,' I answered; 'there is a glass upon the table. Oblige me by drinking what it contains.'
"This he absolutely refused to do, knowing, of course, that it was drugged. I was firm, however. He had had an opportunity of playing his game and had failed, and now I was going to try mine.
"'Pick it up,' I said, 'and drink what it contains without further delay. If it is good enough for our friend here, it is surely good enough for you.'
"Once more he refused to do as I ordered.
"'I am sorry for that,' I said. 'It seems a pity you should be so anxious to quarrel with me. Let me say, once and for all, that you must either drink, or show me your skill with that weapon in your belt. There is no middle course.'