“If you think we’re going to let this pass, you’re quite mistaken,” Brannan answered, hotly.  “Why, its not long ago that Governor McDougall came to our committee room and commended our work.  Said he hoped we’d go on.”

“Exactly,” said Benito, “in the presence of witnesses.  Let us see if King and Coleman are inside.  I have a plan.”

They found their tall and quiet leader with James King of William and half a dozen others already in session.  Brannan, in fiery anger, read the Governor’s proclamation.  There was silence when he finished.  Possibly a shade of consternation.  “Windham’s got a scheme to answer him,” said Brannan.

That day the Evening Picayune printed the Committee’s defn.  It was as follows: 

     San Francisco, Aug. 20, 1851.

“We, the undersigned, do hereby aver that Governor McDougall asked to be introduced to the executive committee of the Committee of Vigilance, which was allowed and hour fixed.  The Governor, upon being introduced, states that he approved of the acts of the committee and that much good had taken place.  He hoped they would go on and endeavor to act in concert with the authorities, and in case any judge was guilty of mal-administration to hang him and he would appoint others.”

To this was appended the names of reputable citizens—­men whose statements no one doubted.  It was generally conceded, with a laugh, that Governor McDougall’s private opinion differed from his sense of public duty.

That afternoon representatives of the Committee met an incoming vessel and examined the credentials of all passengers.  Several of these not proving up to standard, they were denied admittance to the port.  The outraged captain blustered and refused to take them back to Sydney.  But in the end he agreed.  There was nothing else to do.  A guard was placed on the non-desirables and maintained until the vessel cleared—­until the pilot boat returned in fact.  San Francisco applauded.

But all the laurels were not with the Committee.  On Thursday morning, August 21, Sheriff Hayes surprised Vigilante Headquarters at dawn and captured Samuel Whitaker and Robert McKenzie both convicted of murder by the Committee and sentenced to hang.

The City Government was much elated but the victory was short.  For, on the following Sunday, Vigilantes gained an entrance to the jail and took their prisoners back without a struggle.

* * * * *

Broderick and Windham, en route to the latter’s ranch that afternoon, heard the Monumental bell toll slowly, solemnly.  “What’s up?” asked Broderick, startled.

“It means,” Benito answered, “that the Vigilance Committee still rules.  Two more scoundrels have been punished.”