er duties,
however, in more complete keeping with their wild and demon-like
appearance, were still to be performed. Short rolls were called, by
which selections for the assemblage of such as had been previously
marked down for the robbery of arms, were made with considerable
promptitude. And, indeed, most of those to whom, such outrageous and
criminal attacks wera assigned, seemed to feel flattered by being
appointed to the performance of them.

At length, when these matters were, arranged, and completed, the whole
body was ordered to fall into rank, and the large-man, who acted as
leader, walked for a times up and down in front of them, after which,
as nearly opposite their centre as possible, he deliberately knelt
down, and held his two open palms across each other for some seconds, or
perhaps for half a minute.

A low fearful murmur, which no language could describe, and no
imagination conceive--without having heard it, ran along the whole line.
Whether it proceeded from compassion or exultation, or a blending of
both mingled with horror and aversion, or a diabolical, satisfaction, it
is difficult or rather absolutely impossible to say. The probability
is, however, that it was made up of all these feelings, and that it
was their unnatural union, expressed under such wild and peculiar
circumstances, that gave it the impressive and dreadful effect wo have
described.

"What does he mane?" said some of the youthful and inexperienced portion
of them, in the accustomed whisper.

"There's a death to take place to-night," replied an older member;
"there's either a man or family doomed, God knows which!" He then
arose, and going along the front: rank, selected by name twenty-four
individuals, who were made to stand in order; to one of these he
whispered the name and residence of the victim; this one immediately
whispered the secret to the person next him, who communicated it in his
turn, and thus it went round until the last had received it. This being
accomplished, he stood apart from the appointed murderers, and made them
all, one after another, whisper to him the name and residence as before.

"Now," said the leader, "it's my duty to tell you that there's a man to
be done for tonight; and you must all know his crime. He was warned by
us no less than four times not to pay tithe, and not only that, but he
refused to be sworn out to do so, and wounded one of the boys that wor
sent by me one night to swear him. He has se