and shots were fired, in anticipation of the triumph that awaited them.
Lofin, the head mover in all these disgraceful scenes, now drove off to
the capital of the state; and--will it be believed?--this vile, low
wretch, who could neither read nor write, succeeded in getting the loan
of _one thousand muskets_ out of the state arsenal to enable him to
carry out his murderous and swindling scheme! A few days previous to
this, Lofin got some few boards on his work set fire to, in order to
have a case made out for the authorities, and by this means, and through
the influence of political wirepullers, he succeeded in getting the arms
of the state placed in the hands of his ignorant dupes, for the murder
of their plundered countrymen. During these troublesome times, the house
of Father Ugo, the priest of these parts, was literally besieged with
weeping women and enraged men, stating their grievances, and asking for
advice and counsel; for they had no other friend.

"Surely," said his reverence to one Hannohan, whose eight horses were
seized, and who had used some violence in defending his property,
"surely the law will not sanction such barefaced plunder. I am witness
myself of the cruelty to which many of you have been subjected by these
villanous contractors. I know the decision of the law will be in your
favor."

"Law!" said poor Hannohan. "God help us if we have to look to _law_ for
justice; go to law with Old Nick, and the court held in the low
countries! Besides, we are going to be attacked and butchered in our
beds by night. You know Mr. Lofin's men are all up and armed every
night, firing rounds, and shouting till our wives and children are
almost scared to death."

"What can I do?" said the priest. "You know I have been censured before