I replied, "Here are two persons now who have refused; why wait while others shall be brought ?" The fiat went forth, the two obdurate and not good-humored victims were marched up.

As I measured them, they whispered to me that the _presidente_ himself had not been measured, and begged that he be ordered to undergo the operation.

The request was reasonable, and when they were through, they waited to see what would happen.

Great was their delight when, turning to the chief man of the town, I said, "It is best for you to be measured next.

It will set a good example to the rest," and without a word, although I knew that he had stated that he would not be measured, he stepped under the rod.