Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-01

treat but he took a wiser as well as bolder
course. Relying upon the effect WHICH firm
determination would have upon men so crti-
cally situated, he ordered the door to be again
opened, and marched in at the head of thirty
men, who filed through the passage, and
formed at the end of the hall opposite the
crowd of criminals huddlcd together at the
other side lie stated he was empowered to
quell the rebellion, and that he should not quit
the ball alive till every convict had returned
to his duty. They seemed balancing the
strength of the two parties, and replied that
some of them were ready to die, and only
waited for the attack, to see who was the most
powerful, swearing that they would fight to the
last unless the hogging was RENTED, for they
would not submit to any such punishment in
the prison.
Major Wainwright ordered his marines to
load their pieces, and that they might not be
suspected of trihing, each man was made to
hold up to view the bullet which he afterwards
put in his gun. This only caused growl of
determination, and no one blanchcd or seemed
to shrink from the foremost exposure They
said that their number would enable them to
bear down and destroy the handful OF marines
after the first discharge, and before they were
ordered to retire but they were answered the
pieces could be reloaded. The marines were
ordered to take their aim so as TO be sure and
kill as many as possible--their guns were pre-
sented-but not a prisoner stirred, except to
grasp more firmly his weapon. Still desirous
to avoid such tremendous slaughter as must
have followed the discharge of a single gun,
Major w. advanced a step or two, and spoke
even more firmly than before, urging them to
depart. Again, and while looking directly into
the muzzles of their guns, which they had seen
loaded with ball, they declared their intention
to "fght it out" The intrepid officer then
took out his watch, and told his men to hold
their pieces aimed at the prisoners, but not to
fire until they had orders; then returning to
the prisoners, he said, "You must leave this
hall ; | give you three minutes to decide-f at
the end of that time a man remains, he shall
be shot dead" No situation of greater inter
est than this, can be conceived. At one eud
of the hall fearless multitude of the most dcs-
perate and powerful men, waiting for the as
sault; at the other little band Of well dis
ciplined men, waiting with arms presented, and
readyon the least moment or sign to begin the
carnage-and their tall imposing commander,
holding up his watch to count the lapse of
three minutes given to the repreye Of num-
bers.
For two minutes not a person or muscle
was moved, not a sound was heard in the un-
wonted stiffness Of the prison, except the la
bored breathings Of the infatuated wretches, as
they began to pant between fear and revenge.
At the expiration of two minutes, two or three
of those in the rear, and nearest the iarthr en-
trance, went slowly out-a few more followed
the example, dropping out quietly and delibe-
rately, and the hall was cleared. Thus the
steady frmness of moral force, and the strong
effect of determination acting deliberately,
awed the most savage men, and suppressed
scene of carnage which would have instantly
followed the least prccipitancy or excrtion Of
physical force.