Men desperate and well armed had taken possession of the lead mines, and they were to be removed. He tried to induce their consent by making them a speech. Some weeks later he sought another conference. Finding a number of them in a drinking booth, he was begged by his orderly not to go in. "They will be certain to kill you," the orderly said; "I heard one of them say they would." "Lieutenant Davis entered the cabin at once, and, as they expressed it, 'gave them the time of day' [that is, he said "Good-morning" or what the hour demanded]. He immediately added, after saluting them, 'My friends, I am sure you have thought over my proposition and are going to drink to my success. So I shall treat you all.' They gave him a cheer."[123] How much more heroic is such Cæsar-like courage and tact in quelling the mob than to butcher misguided men with musketry. I have reserved for emphasis here, as illustrating Davis's presence of mind and readiness in emergency, two incidents which are earlier in time than what I have just been telling. The first is this. One of the professors disliked and was inclined to disparage Davis while he was a cadet at West Point. Lecturing on presence of mind, this professor fixed his eye on Davis "and said he doubted not there were many who, in an emergency, would be confused and unstrung, not from cowardice, but from the mediocre nature of their minds. The insult was intended, and the recipient of it was powerless to resent it. A few days afterwards, while the building was full of cadets, the class were being taught the process of making fireballs, when one took fire. The room was a magazine of explosives. Cadet Davis saw it first, and calmly asked of the doughty instructor, 'What shall I do, sir? This fireball is ignited.' The professor said, 'Run for your lives!' and ran for his. Cadet Davis threw it out of the window, and saved the building and a large number of lives thereby."[124] In the affair last told, Davis showed a freedom from confusion and an alertness that is very rare. But the second thing which I have to tell is still more remarkable. While stationed at Fort Crawford in 1829, he had set out in a boat with some men to cut timber, accompanied by two _voyageurs_.