cussed the dangers of a public outbreak till a knock at the door
interrupted them.

It proved to be Garrison, accompanied by the Vigilante chief. "Hello,
Coleman," the Governor greeted, cordially. The two shook hands. "What's
this I hear about your Vigilante recrudescence?" He smote his hands
together with a catechising manner. "What do you people want?"

"We want peace," responded Coleman.

"And, to get it, you prepare for war. What do you expect to accomplish?"

"What the Vigilantes did in '51--"

Briefly and concisely he outlined the frightful condition of affairs in
San Francisco; the straining of public patience to its present
breaking point.

"Now, Governor," he said, impressively, "you've been called on by the
Mayor and a certain class to bring out the militia and put down this
movement. I assure you it cannot be done. It's not the way to treat the
question...."

"What is the way, then?" Johnson asked, aggressively.

"Allow us to clean our Augean stables without more than a formal
opposition from the State. Issue your necessary proclamations to
maintain the dignity of the law. But don't interfere with our work. We
shall get through with it quickly--and be glad to quit, I promise you."

He rose and Johnson with him. Suddenly the Governor slapped the
Vigilante chief a rousing whack upon the shoulder. "Go ahead, old boy!
But hurry up. There is terrible opposition. Terrific pressure."

* * * * *

Turn Verein Hall that evening was a busy place. A dozen companies were
drilling on the big gymnasium floor. Men who had never shouldered guns
were executing orders with an ardor and a concentration which concealed
much awkwardness of unfamiliarity.

The garb and condition of recruits were vividly diversified. Doctor,
teamster, lawyer, stevedore and banker, they were actuated by a common
spirit, working through the manual of arms together, conscious of
no caste.

Benito and Adrian, who had come in late, surveyed the drilling. Warren
Olney, big and forceful, gave them cordial welcome. "You're both in my
company," he informed them. "We've graded all the signers of the roll
according to their numbers. That is, the first hundred signers make the
first company, the second hundred another. And so on."

"How about cavalry and artillery?" Benito questioned.

"Oh, we'll have both, don't worry," Charles Doane answered them. "Two
vessels in the harbor have contributed cannon; we'll mount