"Well, they don't," said Welland, "and won't—till too late. Now, do all hands know about the meeting?"
"Yes," smiled Greasy. "It's a meetin' to present a petition to his Nibs the Lieut. Gov. The first-comers, though, an' my men, has been tipped off to what's goin' to happen. They're all armed an' ready to fight, if necess'ry. Arms concealed, o' course. Are you sure the yallah-legs knows nothin'?"
"Of our intentions? Nothing! They think it's a tea party. Of course, they're scared—a little."
"Sure to be," Greasy agreed.
"How many of your men got through the pass?"
"'Bout thirty. Enough, I guess. That includes Philibert, Kelly, an' Pete—the best o' 'em. The Spaniard was spotted an', o' course, No-nose, early in the game."
"Good. And they're to take charge, if it comes to violence?"
"Yep. They'll be in the crowd, same as me."
"I've promised the Lieutenant-Governor to go on the platform with him. As an M.P., it's my place. You'll have to arrest me—for appearance' sake. You can let me out afterwards, but I must be arrested, with the rest of them."
"Yep. I understand. Now what about a programme?"