"No," he said. "We've been trying it on the street corners at odd times. Now we are ready to begin in earnest. What do you think of it?"
"I think you are rash to begin your agitation so near the police station. Your man will probably find himself in jail before he gets through his speech."
"The very thing!" said Parks explosively. "The best advertisement we could have. Here's our motto: 'The Chinese must go.' You can see it stirs 'em. Listen to that cheer. What could rouse the men of the city faster than to have Kearney thrown into jail for expressing their sentiments? Sir, if you think otherwise, you do not understand the people."
Parks gave an emphatic shake to his head and another to his warning forefinger that was held before me, and the wild look of the enthusiast glowed in his face.
"Doubtless you are right," I admitted. "But I must keep an engagement that will deprive me of the privilege of listening to your orator."
"You will have to listen to him some day," said Parks, shaking his finger at us once more. "The day of the people is coming."
Mr. Baldwin had been watching us with some interest.
"Your friend appears to be very much in earnest," he said as we went our way.
"There's a man who's very likely to be hanged because he thinks he has an idea," I replied.
"I should say he was more likely to end his days in the violent ward at Stockton," returned Mr. Baldwin.