272 The Winning of the West 



solidated themselves into a body which was a most 

 effective, though irregular, supporter of the cause of 

 law. The mounted riflemen scoured the country 

 and broke up the gangs of evil-doers, hanging six 

 or seven of the leaders, while a number of the less 

 prominent were brought before the committee, who 

 fined some and condemned others to be whipped or 

 branded. All of doubtful loyalty were compelled to 

 take the test oath. 2 



Such drastic measures soon brought about peace; 

 but it was broken again and again by similar risings 

 and disturbances. By degrees most of the worst 

 characters fled to the Cherokees, or joined the Brit- 

 ish as their forces approached the up-country. Until 

 the battle of King's Mountain, the pioneers had to 

 watch the tories as closely as they did the Indians; 

 there was a constant succession of murders, thefts, 

 and savage retaliations. Once a number of tories 

 attempted to surprise and murder Sevier in his own 

 house; but the plot was revealed by the wife of the 

 leader, to whom Sevier 's wife had shown great 

 kindness in her time of trouble. In consequence the 

 tories were themselves surprised and their ringlead- 

 ers slain. Every man in the country was obliged to 



2 Haywood, p. 58. As Haywood's narrative is based largely 

 on what the pioneers in their old age told him, his dates, and 

 especially his accounts of the numbers and losses of the In- 

 dians in their battles, are often very inaccurate. In this 

 very chapter he gives, with gross inaccuracy of detail, an 

 account of one of Sevier's campaigns as taking place in 1779, 

 whereas it really occurred after his return from King's 

 Mountain. There is therefore need to be cautious in using 

 them. 



