n intelligence.
They were well-mounted, and each man carried a short rifle, a sword, and
pair of pistols. They rode in single file, following their commander; a
gentleman, in person, of great manliness of frame, possessed of much
grace and ease of action. They formed at command, readily, in front of
the post, which may be now said to have assumed the guise of a regular
military station; and Fullam, the captain, advancing with much seeming
surprise in his countenance and manner, addressed the squatters
generally, without reference to the two leaders, who stood forth as
representatives of their several divisions.

"How is this, my good fellows? what is meant by your present military
attitude? Why are you, on the sabbath, mustering in this
guise--surrounded by barricades, arms in your hands, and placing
sentinels on duty. What does all this mean?"

"We carry arms," replied Dexter, without pause, "because it suits us to
do so; we fix barricades to keep out intruders; our sentinels have a
like object; and if by attitude you mean our standing here and standing
there--why, I don't see in what the thing concerns anybody but
ourselves!"

"Indeed!" said the Georgian; "you bear it bravely, sir. But it is not to
you only that I speak. Am I to understand you, good people, as assembled
here for the purpose of resisting the laws of the land?"

"We don't know, captain, what you mean exactly by the laws of the land,"
was the reply of Munro; "but, I must say, we are here, as you see us
now, to defend our property, which the laws have no right to take from
us--none that I can see."

"So! and is that your way of thinking, sir; and pray who are you that
answer so freely for your neighbors?"

"One, sir, whom my neighbors, it seems, have appointed to answer for
them."

"I am then to understand, sir, that you have expressed their
determination on this subject, and that your purpose is resistance to
any process of the state compelling you to leave these possessions!"

"You have stated their resolution precisely," was the reply. "They had
notice that unauthorized persons, hearing of our prosperity, were making
preparations to take them from us by force; and they prepared for
resistance. When we know the proper authorities, we shall answer
fairly--but not till then."

"Truly, a very manful determination; and, as you have so expressed
yourself, permit me to exhibit my authority, which I doubt not you will
readily recognise. This instru