THE REGULATORS. 67 



provisions, the favourite booty. The unscru- 

 pulous depravity of these emigrants, the refuse 

 population of other lands, made them willingly 

 retreat to regions on the extreme verge of civili- 

 zation, where they imagined they could indulge, 

 unmolested, their evil propensities. 



Fortunately, a formidable power existed for 

 the punishment of their lawlessness. It was 

 that body of energetic and honourable citizens 

 who — vested with powers suited to the necessi- 

 ties of the occasion — courageously undertook to 

 preserve order on the frontiers, under the name 

 of Eegulators. On the commission of an offence 

 by some delinquent, an assembly of them imme- 

 diately takes place for the purpose of investiga- 

 tion and judgment. Should the offender prove 

 regardless of the first sentence, which is gene- 

 rally simple banishment, his cabin is burnt 

 down, and he receives a severe castigation. On 

 a repetition of great crimes, the delinquent is 

 shot, that the recognition of a comrade's head 

 fixed on a pole may deter others from following 

 his example. Against the notorious Mason, 

 these Regulators engaged. Though, through 

 their watchfulness, many of his haunts were 

 discovered, he yet contrived, by the aid of his 

 numerous spies, to escape. One day, however, 

 having mounted a beautiful Virginian horse — 

 his booty — he was recognized by a guard, who 



