were springing up as thick as hops -- at the house of God you saw nobody --
but if there was a devil's house (a dram shop) hard by,
you might be sure to see THAT crowded with poor Lazarites,
with red noses and black eyes, and the fences all strung along
with starved tackies, in grape-vine bridles and sheep-skin saddles.
In short, the whole country was fast overrunning with vagabonds,
like ravening locusts, seeking where they might light,
and whom they should devour.

"Good heavens!" said Marion to me one day, and with great alarm in his looks,
"what's to be done with these wretches, these vagrants? I am actually afraid
we shall be ruined by them presently. For you know, sir, that a vagrant
is but the chrysalis or fly state of the gambler, the horse-thief,
the money-coiner, and indeed of every other worthless creature
that disturbs and endangers society."

"Why colonel," replied I, "there's a conceit in my head,
which, if it could but be brought to bear, would, I think,
soon settle the hash with these rascals."

"Aye," replied he, "well, pray give it to us, for I should be very fond
to hear it."

"Why sir," said I, "give me but a lieutenant, sergeant, and corporal,
with a dozen privates, all of my own choosing, do you see,
and if I don't soon give you a good account of those villains,
you may, with all my heart, give me a good suit of tar and feathers."

My demand was instantly complied with. Then taking with me such men
as I knew I could depend on, among whom was the brave lieutenant Jossilin,