scorn of opposition. He would
crush this disaffection in its incipiency, would vindicate himself and
strengthen the cause at one and the same time. He stepped forward and
stood in the speaker's place, turning partly toward the audience, partly
toward the assembled Leaguers.

"Gentlemen of the League," he began, "citizens of Bonneville"

But at once the silence in which the Governor had begun to speak was
broken by a shout. It was as though his words had furnished a signal. In
a certain quarter of the gallery, directly opposite, a man arose, and in
a voice partly of derision, partly of defiance, cried out:

"How about the bribery of those two delegates at Sacramento? Tell us
about that. That's what we want to hear about."

A great confusion broke out. The first cry was repeated not only by
the original speaker, but by a whole group of which he was but a part.
Others in the audience, however, seeing in the disturbance only the
clamour of a few Railroad supporters, attempted to howl them down,
hissing vigorously and exclaiming:

"Put 'em out, put 'em out."

"Order, order," called Garnett, pounding with his gavel. The whole Opera
House was in an uproar.

But the interruption of the Governor's speech was evidently not
unpremeditated. It began to look like a deliberate and planned attack.
Persistently, doggedly, the group in the gallery vociferated: "Tell us
how you bribed the delegates at Sacramento. Before you throw mud at the
Railroad, let's see if you are clean yourself."

"Put 'em out, put 'em out."

"Briber, briber--Magnus Derrick, unconvicted briber! Put him out."

Keast, beside himself with anger, pushed down the aisle underneath where
the recalcitrant group had its place and, shaking his fist, called up at
them:

"You were paid to break up this meeting. If you have anything to
say; you will be afforded the opportunity, but if you do not let the
gentleman proceed, the police will be called upon to put you out."

But at this, the man who had raised the first shout leaned over the
balcony rail, and, his face flaming with wrath, shouted:

"YAH! talk to me of your police. Look out we don't call on them first
to arrest your President for bribery. You and your howl about law and
justice and corruption! Here"--he turned to the audience--"read about
him, read the story of how the Sacramento convention was bought by
Magnus Derrick, President of the San Joaquin League. Here's the facts
printed and proved."

Wi