I set out from the Long Bluff, towards Sandhills. The reader will please
to take notice, that in our hurry we had not forgot to take with us
a constable with a proper warrant.

We had gone but a few miles, before we fell in with a squad of as choice game
as heart could have wished, three proper tall young vagabonds!
profoundly engaged at all fours, in a log tippling shop,
with cards as black as their own dirty hands, and a tickler of brandy
before them! and so intent were the thieves on fleecing each other,
that they took no manner of notice of us, but continued their scoundrel work,
eagerly stretched over the table, thwacking down their cards
with filthy knuckles, and at every stroke bawling out, "there's a good trick!"

"That's as good as he."

"And there's the best of the three -- huzza, d--n me,
at him again my hearties."

"Lieutenant Jossilin," said I, "grab them fellows."

You never saw poor devils in such a fright. But soon as they had recovered
the use of their tongues, they swore like troopers that they were
the "most honestest gentlemen in all Carolina."

"Aye! well, I am very glad to hear that, gentlemen," said I,
"for I love honest men prodigiously, and hope the magistrate will confirm
the handsome report you have made of yourselves."

So off we set all together for the magistrate. About dinner time
I ordered a halt at the house of one Johnson, a militia captain,