Don Felipe did not let the invitation be repeated, but rapidly fired three shots.
"Too quick--much too quick," El Rayo cried to him; "I did not even hear the whistle of the bullets. Come, be calmer, and try to make good use of the three shots left you."
All eyes were fixed, all chests were panting. The officer, demoralized by the coolness of his adversary and the ill success of his firing, felt involuntarily fascinated by the black motionless statue before him, whose eyes he could see sparkling like live coals through the holes of the mask; drops of cold perspiration gathered on his hair, which stood erect with horror, and his former assurance had abandoned him.
Still, anger and pride gave him the necessary strength to conceal from the spectators the frightful agony he was suffering: by a supreme effort of the will he resumed an apparent calmness, and fired again.
"That is better," El Rayo said mockingly, "but a little too high. Try another."
Exasperated by this fire, don Felipe pulled the trigger.
The bullet struck the rock about an inch above the stranger's head.
Only one bullet was now left in the revolver.
"Advance five paces," said El Rayo; "perhaps you will not then throw away your last chance."
Without replying to this cutting sarcasm, the officer bounded like a wild beast, stopped at fifteen paces, and fired.
"It is now my turn," the stranger said, as he fell back five paces to re-establish the distance; "you forgot to take your hat off, caballero, and that is a want of courtesy which I cannot tolerate."
Then drawing one of the pistols thrust through his belt, he cocked it, stretched out his arm and fired without taking the trouble of aiming. The officer's hat was hurled from his head and rolled in the dust.
Don Felipe uttered a howl like a wild beast.
"No," El Rayo answered, "I am an honest man. Now, begone. I leave you your life."
"Yes, I will go; but whether you are man or fiend, I will kill you. I swear it, even if I have to pursue you to the lowest pit of hell."
El Rayo went up to him, seized him violently by the arm, drew him on one side, and lifting the veil which covered his features, showed him his face.
"You recognize me now, I suppose?" he said to him in a hollow voice; "But remember that now you have seen me face to face, our first meeting will be mortal. Begone."