works and drove the men out.

The next morning the men, still determined to go to work, started out in
a body for the mines. On their way they were met by a body of women, who
drove them back with threats and scoldings to their homes again.

The general in command of the state troops then decided that it was time
for him to interfere, and on the third day, when the women attempted to
stop the men, the troops were ordered to disperse them.

To frighten the women the officers ordered their men to fix their
bayonets and advance on the women as if they meant to charge them.

The two bodies met--the women brandishing their sticks, and the men with
their glittering bayonets pointed at this unusual foe.

The women were, however, not deceived. They refused to believe that the
soldiers would charge them, and when they saw the men advancing they
began to laugh. This laugh was rapidly taken up by the soldiers; and the
two parties facing each other, brandishing their weapons and laughing,
must have been a curious sight.

For some time the women stood their ground, but finally became convinced
that, though the soldiers were not going to do them any harm, they did
not mean to allow them to pass or to do any mischief of their own. They
then fell back, and returned to their homes; and the women being
disposed of, the miners went peaceably to their work.

* * * * *