"Fellow rancheros, and your ladies," bowing gallantly, "Señor Mendoza, occupied with the young people, is temporarily absent from the room--he is quite a boy, is the señor--and I take occasion to say a word to you. The old government here is worn out, ready to fall to pieces like a used-up carreta. We, the leaders of the people, must find another government--find another; yes, and soon. We have talked it over this evening; in fact, have talked of little else for weeks and months. Let us take action to-night." He sat down deliberately. A half dozen men sprang to their feet. All dignity was thrown aside, and they raised their voices and gesticulated earnestly. "It is not yet the time," called one. "It is the time, and----" Another drowned him out by shouting, "Let us seek adequate protection from some great nation which will insure us life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." "Mexico falls soon before the United States. We shall be declared contraband of war and suffer the consequences, unless we act quickly and in the right direction," asserted yet another. Don Louis Valencia arose. "Friends, you speak wisely. Nothing more need be said. Let us act. I say, make our province a dependency of Great Britain. That country will protect us. Señors, now is the time. Great Britain will be our ally and friend. I repeat, take action--and now!" thumping his fist on the table. Señor Mendoza returned from the ballroom at that moment. He went to his chair at the table. All became silent. They waited for him to speak on the matter which was occupying so much attention in California. The stillness became intense. "Neighbors and friends," Mendoza said at last, "what I heard as I entered tells me the import of the debate which evidently took place while I was absent. I hope nothing will come to head at present." "It must come to head!" from Hernandez. "Why not take the bull by the horns?" looking at Higuera. "I mean, why not take initiative here and now? It is unsafe to wait." Valencia seconded Hernandez's words. "The wise traveler," counseled Mendoza, "surveys an unknown way rood by rood. Señor Hernandez and friends, before taking positive action we should consider the path along which we would find ourselves." "It is either the United States or England," argued Valencia. "No other nation need be considered. Why not declare for one or the other before another day?" "Quite right, neighbor Valencia, quite right!" supported Hernandez. "The rest of the province is undecided, as we have been. We now know our minds. Let us speak them. The others will follow, and the vexed question is at an end," again from Valencia. "But do we know our minds well enough to speak them?" questioned Mendoza. "We do! We do!" replied Valencia. "Huzza! Huzza!" shouted Hernandez. "Better consider!" cautioned Higuera. "Slowness never wins the race," retorted Valencia. "The tortoise won the race from the hare," rebutted Higuera.