The judge and the chief of police both declared that the people did not wish to have busts made, and that they would bring no more.

In vain I suggested that a meeting of the townspeople should be called together in order that we might address them and explain the purpose of our visit.

It was impossible to move the officials.

Finally I told the judge that I should send a mounted messenger, who had accompanied us from the _presidente_, to Chilchota to report the failure of the town officials to do their duty.

He promptly declared that he was going to Chilchota himself to see the _presidente_ in the matter.