ns.

Captain Lawton gave the word, humanely cautioning his men not to
exceed the discipline prescribed by the Mosaic law, and the uproar
of Babel commenced in the orchard. The flagellation[87] was executed
with great neatness and despatch, and it was distinguished by no
irregularity, excepting that none of the disciplinarians began to
count until he had tried his whip by a dozen or more blows, by the
way, as they said themselves, of finding out the proper place
to strike. As soon as this summary operation was satisfactorily
completed, Lawton directed his men to leave the Skinners to replace
their own clothes and to mount their horses, for they were a party
who had been detached for the purpose of patrolling lower down in
the county.

[Footnote 87: whipping.]

"You see, my friend," said the captain to the leader of the Skinners,
after he had prepared himself to depart, "I can cover you to some
purpose when necessary. If we meet often, you will be covered with
scars, which, if not honorable, will at least be merited."

The fellow made no reply. He was busy with his musket, and hastening
his comrades to march; when, everything being ready, they proceeded
sullenly towards some rocks at no great distance, which were overhung
by a deep wood. The moon was just rising, and a troop of dragoons
could easily be distinguished where they had been left. Suddenly
turning, the whole gang levelled their pieces and drew their triggers.
The action was noticed, and the snapping of the locks was heard by the
soldiers, who returned their futile attempt with a laugh of derision,
the captain crying aloud:

"Ah! rascals, I knew you, and have taken away your flints."

"You should have taken away that in my pouch, too," shouted the
leader, firing his gun in the next instant. The bullet grazed the ear
of Lawton, who laughed as he shook his head, saying: "A miss is as
good as a mile." One of the dragoons had seen the preparations of the
Skinner--who had been left alone by the rest of the gang as soon as
they had made their abortive[88] attempt at revenge--and was in the
act of plunging his spurs into his horse as the fellow fired. The
distance to the rocks was but small, yet the speed of the horse
compelled the leader to abandon both money and musket to effect his
escape. The soldier returned with his prizes, and offered them to the
acceptance of his captain; but Lawton rejected them, telling the man
to retain them himself until the ra