The _arriero_ took a step forward, and made a very respectful bow to the damsel.
"Señorita," said he, "allow me to remark--"
"_Calle Vd. la boca_" (hold your tongue), "Don Pablo!" she angrily exclaimed, interrupting him in the middle of his speech; "I have nothing to say against you; but look at this _chola sin vergüenza_" (shameless hussy), "who, knowing you to be the best dancer in the _rancho_, wants to monopolise you for her own benefit."
On hearing the insult her companion had thus boldly cast in her teeth, the other damsel hastily shook off Don Pablo, and placed herself face to face before her assailant.
"You lie, Manonga!" cried she: "It is jealousy that made you utter these words; you are furious at the preference with which this _caballero_ honours me."
"I!" said the other disdainfully; "You are a fool, Clarita; I care no more for the _caballero_ than for a sour orange."
"Indeed!" sneered Clarita; "Then, pray what may be the reason of this sudden fury?"
"Because," sharply retorted Manonga, "I have known you for a long time; you want a lesson, and I am going to give you one."
"You, indeed!" said the other, shrugging her shoulders; "Take care lest you get one yourself!"
"_Ojalá_; add another word, and, by my soul, I will knife you!"
"Pooh! you don't even know how to handle a navaja" (knife).
"_A ver;_" (we will see), shouted Manonga, beside herself with rage; and, bounding back, she drew a knife from her bosom, wrapped her _rebozo_ (veil) round her left arm, and threw herself on guard.
"_A ver;_" screamed Clarita, echoing the words, and taking up her position with the same celerity as her adversary.
A duel between the two girls was imminent.
Don Pablo, the innocent cause of this combat, had several times vainly tried to mediate between the two females. Neither one nor the other would listen to his speech, nor attend to his remonstrances. When matters had reached this point, he wanted to make a fresh effort: but this time he was more sharply repulsed than before; for the bystanders, interested in the dispute, and infinitely attracted by the longing to see a duel with knives between two women, turned against him, and peremptorily bade him be quiet, and leave the _niñas_ (darlings) to amuse themselves as they thought fit.