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Show 252 PERSONAL ADVENTURES accotnpanied by a strong and determined num· her of their followers, proceeded one day in a body to the office of the Alcalde, and, present· ing thernselves as a deputation from a majority of the Yankee citizens, demanded that the town records and papers should be delivered up to them. The Alcalde refused to acquiesce in this dernand, standing firm upon the authority with which he had been invested, and urging that he durst not, consistent with his duty, as the guardian of the archives, surrender possession of them into the hands of a party not duly authorized to require thetn from him. He should, therefore, decline to give them up. The demand was then repeated, backed by a representation to the effect that, according to the fundamental principles of the Arne· rican systern of governrnent, the will of the majority was absolute : and an intimation ·was, moreover thrown out that unless the ' ' Alcalde complied with it, the party were deter· rnined to search for and take them away by force. IN CALIFORNIA. 253 The Alcalde reflected for a moment ; and, whilst he appeared to be making up his mind, suddenly stretched out his hand, and took down from a shelf behind him a large horsepistol, which he deliberately cocked. As he ~id this, he said- ,, Well, gentlemen, you can proceed; but you must be answerable for the consequences." "Oh ! if that's 'vhat you mean," exclaimed Pulis, coolly withdrawing a sitnilar weapon from his coat-pocket, and examining the priming, " I've got one. of them 'are things, too ; so it's who'll have the first shot. Go in, boys," he continued, addressing his followers, as he levelled the pistol at the Alcalde's head ; " if he budges, he shan't sqneak more than once." The Alcalde, who, doubtless, never had really meant resistance, but ·who probably thoug-ht that a show of it was necessary at his hands, to save his honour, now attempted to parley, with a view to gain time; and assured the deputation that the town records were mixed up ,vith other papers strictly pri- |