"Ah," said I, "you have brought these, then, for measurement ?" "On the contrary, sir," said the _presidente_, "this is a committee of the principal men of the town who have come to tell you that the people do not wish to be measured." "Ah," said I, "so you are a committee, are you, come to tell me that you do not wish to be measured ?" "Yes." Waiting a moment, I turned to the officials and asked, "And which one particularly does not wish to be measured of this committee ?" Immediately, a most conservative-looking individual was pointed out.

Addressing him, I said, "And so you do not wish to be measured ?" "No sir," said he, "I will not be measured." "Very good," said I."What is your name ?" He told us.
I marked it down upon my blank, and wrote out the description of his person.

Then, seizing my measuring rod, I said to him quite sharply, "Well, well! Take off your hat and sandals.

We must lose no time!" And before he really realized what we were doing, I had taken his measurements.

Having finished with him, I turned again to the _presidente_.