became again uproarious, shouting the name of a well-known courtezan in company with those of two men whom he considered heads of the committee, as a sort of challenge; perhaps, however, as a simple act of bravado.  It seems probable that the intimation of personal danger he had received had not been forgotten entirely; though fatally for him, he took a foolish way of showing his remembrance of it.  He sought out Alexander Davis, the Judge of the Court, and drawing a cocked Derringer, he presented it at his head, and told him that he should hold him as a hostage for his own safety.  As the judge stood perfectly quiet, and offered no resistance to his captor, no further outrage followed on this score.  Previous to this, on account of the critical state of affairs, the committee had met, and at last resolved to arrest him.  His execution had not been agreed upon, and, at that time, would have been negatived, most assuredly.  A messenger rode down to Nevada to inform the leading men of what was on hand, as it was desirable to show that there was a feeling of unanimity on the subject, all along the gulch.

The miners turned out almost en masse, leaving their work and forming in solid column about six hundred strong, armed to the teeth, they marched up to Virginia.  The leader of the body well knew the temper of his men on the subject.  He spurred on ahead of them, and hastily calling a meeting of the executive, he told them plainly that the miners meant “business,” and that, if they came up, they would not stand in the street to be shot down by Slade’s friends; but that they would take him and hang him.  The meeting was small, as the Virginia men were loath to act at all.  This momentous announcement of the feeling of the Lower Town was made to a cluster of men, who were deliberation behind a wagon, at the rear of a store on Main street.

The committee were most unwilling to proceed to extremities.  All the duty they had ever performed seemed as nothing to the task before them; but they had to decide, and that quickly.  It was finally agreed that if the whole body of the miners were of the opinion that he should be hanged, that the committee left it in their hands to deal with him.  Off, at hot speed, rode the leader of the Nevada men to join his command.

      Slade had found out what was intended, and the news sobered him
      instantly.  He went into P. S. Pfouts’ store, where Davis was, and
      apologized for his conduct, saying that he would take it all back.

The head of the column now wheeled into Wallace street and marched up at quick time.  Halting in front of the store, the executive officer of the committee stepped forward and arrested Slade, who was at once informed of his doom, and inquiry was made as to whether he had any business to settle.  Several parties spoke to him on the subject; but to all such inquiries he turned a deaf ear, being entirely absorbed