It exploded and the shot started the men and two men in the advanced guard nervously pulled the triggers of their rifles and the bullets tore holes in the earth 10 feet in front of them. The impression was that some one had fired on the troops and there was a halt. Fortunately the accidents did not alarm the strikers.

As the troops swung into the narrow lane called the Bowery, the strange sight met their eyes. About 200 men were on the board sidewalks. Women were hanging from the windows and crowded on the stoops.

About 20 Italians with mandolins and guitars were seated on the walk playing a lively tune. In the center of the street a woman about 60 years old, called "Bowery Kate," was dancing. In one hand she held a half of a brick and in the other a club.

The advance guard passed by her and she fell in back of them marching along. The Italians laughed and continued to play. The advance guard swung up the street and over the Bowery bridge into the works.

On the hills were over a half hundred or more Italians who clapped hands as the troops came into the works. Inside, the work of selecting a camp and throwing out pickets was begun. A crowd of officers after an inspection of the ground held a conference, and it was decided to pitch camp in the valley.

The tents were set up on a bank of earth and stone that was taken from the excavation made for the foundation of the big dam. A line of pickets was thrown about the works on the hill where the strikers reside. A patrol was established at Bowery bridge and admission inside the lines was denied to all but persons with passes.