s one Dirk Schuiler (or Skulker), a kind of hanger-on to the
garrison, who seemed to belong to nobody, and in a manner to be
self-outlawed. He was one of those vagabond cosmopolites who shark about
the world, as if they had no right or business in it, and who infest the
skirts of society like poachers and interlopers. Every garrison and
country village has one or more scapegoats of this kind, whose life is a
kind of enigma, whose existence is without motive, who comes from the Lord
knows where, who lives the Lord knows how, and who seems created for no
other earthly purpose but to keep up the ancient and honorable order of
idleness. This vagrant philosopher was supposed to have some Indian blood
in his veins, which was manifested by a certain Indian complexion and cast
of countenance, but more especially by his propensities and habits. He was
a tall, lank fellow, swift of foot, and long-winded. He was generally
equipped in a half Indian dress, with belt, leggings, and moccasins. His
hair hung in straight gallows locks about his ears, and added not a little
to his sharking demeanor. It is an old remark, that persons of Indian
mixture, are half civilized, half savage, and half devil--a third half
being provided for their particular convenience. It is for similar
reasons, and probably with equal truth, that the backwoodsmen of Kentucky
are styled half man, half horse, and half alligator by the settlers on the
Mississippi, and held accordingly in great respect and abhorrence.

The above character may have presented itself to the garrison as
applicable to Dirk Schuiler, whom they familiarly dubbed Gallows Dirk.
Certain it is, he acknowledged allegiance to no one--was an utter enemy to
work, holding it in no manner of estimation--but lounging about the fort,
depending upon chance for a subsistence, getting drunk whenever he could
get liquor, and stealing whatever he could lay his hands on. Every day or
two he was sure to get a sound rib-roasting for some of his misdemeanors;
which, however, as it broke no bones, he made very light of, and scrupled
not to repeat the offence whenever another opportunity presented.
Sometimes, in consequence of some flagrant villainy, he would abscond from
the garrison, and be absent for a month at a time; skulking about the
woods and swamps, with a long fowling-piece on his shoulder, lying in
ambush for game, or squatting himself down on the edge of a pond catching
fish for hours together, and bea