THE FRENCH NAVY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume V, Issue 394, 8 April 1851, Page 4

THE FRENCH NAVY.

From a contribution by Percy B. St. John, entitled " How I turned Tiger," we subjoin the following extract, premising that "t" t Hyenas" and " Tigers" are the designations of certain lawless classes of men, the Lynchers or Regulators of some of the American States, and that the " Herod" in question was formerly a pirate :— " I was over in Washington county, arranging some business connected with my marriage with Lucy, ,when I heard that Herod had turned out with the Hyenas to regulate the country. , He announced that every man found wfith counterfeit notes in his possession should be tried by Lynch law and hung. I put up at a small inn one night near a wood yard. The hut of the

wood-chopper was within thirty yards of the tavern I slept in. About daybreak I was awoke by a great noise, and, looking out, I saw the Hyenas were upon us. They were all mounted, and well armed, with Herod, in a green blanket coat, at their head. I peeped cautiously through a loop, and discovered about fifty prisoners, their, hands tied with cords behind their backs, j One of the Hyenas knocked at the door of j the wood-chopper's hut, and called out, — I " Jim Brown, turn up !" " Look out, you regulating scoundrels," was the only reply, followed by a rifle shot. The speaker fell dead beside Herod. Two pistol shots followed, and, at a short interval, another discharge of a gun. The wood-chopper, aided by his wife, was defending himself against the Hyenas. They flew to cover, and unswinging their rifles, set to work. But Brown kept close, and, while all his shots told, theirs were useless. Herod stormed with rage, and, amid blasphemous oaths, bade his men break the woodman's door open. Two advanced cautiously, with heavy logs in their hands, and casting them simultaneously, the door yielded. ' A general rush waa made, anil in' five minutes more the old wood-chopper and his wife were prisoners. Herod grinned a horrid smile', and had the three dead Hyenas and the five wounded carried into the inn, in the room of which I now stood. I and the landlord submitted to be searched, but as no counterfeit money was found on either him or me, we were not included among the prisoners. But Herod bade me, in a fierce voice, stay to the trial, in order that I might report to the Tigers how properly to regulate the country. Lots were drawn, and Lynch's Jury of thirteen were soon chosen, Herod being the judge, and the trial at once commenced. Old Brown, of Sixty-six Island, as he was called, was the first prisoner summoned, his wife being put at the bar beside him. The sturdy old wood-cut-ter boldly told them that they were a set of brigands and thieves, worse than Merle, the Watuo pirate j and that he had every right to defend his house against their invasion. The wife refused to answer^ a word. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and Herod ordered them to be hanged. A tree stood near the inn door, and over the boughs jof this several ropes had been thrown.^ The unfortunate couple made no resistance,, -and ten minutes later they had ceased to breathe. Then took place one of the most fearful scenes I ever witnessed, or heard of. The; scoundrels, under Herod's orders, took a log, 1 i nailed a board in the centre, and on this fastened the severed heads of the husband and wife ; their bodies being strapped to the extremities of the log. The whole was sent afloat in the stream, to be picked up next day at Montgomery's Point, and make the whole world ring with horror against America generally, because of the inhuman act of a band of monsters. I need only add that twenty-seven men -were that day found guilty and hung, their only crime being their incapacity to distinguish good from bad money. I was grateful when Herod let me go with a message for Judge L — , to the effect that if next day he did not turn out with the Tigers and regulate White County, the Hyenas would come over and do ifc for him. " You may jist tell the old badger," he added, " that we'll pay him a visit tomorrow, and I will clear my score against him, his daughter, and the Britisher who wants to marry her. He had better raise a good stake to buy me off." Though considerably startled, I intimated my readiness to carry his message, and five minutes later I was on my road, mounted on a good horse, and moving along towards a ferry some miles off. I had not got very far away, when I heard the galloping of horses behind me, and I distinctly saw Herod and half-a-dozen Hyenas in chase of me. Doubtless some one had told him who I was. I looked to my .pistols, primed my rifle, and then gave whip to my horse, which was fresh and strong. I moved at a rattling pace, but still I heard the vagabonds behind me, though I could tell they were not gaining ground. My sole chance of safety was the ferry boat. If that was on the other side I was lost. Still I resolved to sell my life dearly. Away I flew, keeping my good steed up to the mark, and soon was in sight of the ferry. The boat was about to start with several passengers and one horse. I now knew that if old Jerry ; saw Herod in chase, he would be afraid to take me. 1 made a desperate dash, however, down to the ford, entered the boat, drew my horse after me, and then bade the ferryman strike out. "Quick! for your life, man ! lam a friend of Judge L — 's. Herod and his gang are after me, with blood op their hands !" ■ " The Regulators ! I say, stranger, I can't convene to this. I couldn't take, you for a. cord of money." " Push back, at the peril of your life!" I replied, drawing my' pistols, and, aided by the three other men, I forced the unwilling

ferryman to shove off. Two of the pas. sengers were Englishmen, and entered heartily into my interests. Scarcely *er« we twenty yards off, when Herod and his gang rushed up, reigning in, however, at some distance from the shore, at the sight of our levelled rifles. Jerry was terribly alarmed, and did all he could to get out of reacli ; and when the baulked Hyenas fired it was too late. I then told my horriblj story, which to all present seemed almost incredible, though Herod's name had t sufficient reputation to render any atrocity within the bounds of belief. When *j reached the other side, the ferryman intt mated his intention of not returning to bis post for some days, while the others offered to join in the defence of Judge L— . I took them up, boatman and all, to the Judge, and at once gave him the message of his daughter's former suitor. "Hj shall be well received," cried the Judge, after hearing my whole story, "but as no man can say what will happen, you and Lucy shall be married to-morrow morning." Lucy and I sat in the Judge's parlour, near an open window, about 1 o'clocfr, watching the Tigers as they collected. They were ' farmers and wood-choppers, labourers and hunters ; all sturdy fellowi, devotedly attached to Judge L — . " Lucy," said I, taking her hand in mine, and gazing at her soft blue eyes, " I must turn Tiger for one day." "James," she replied quickly, " you must. But be careful and wise. My life hangs on yours." Tti look she gave me, as she spoke, prowl that, quiet as she was, she could fed deeply, and I felt my affection redoubled. "James," suddenly cried the father, u the Tigers stood in good order under tt» window, " tell the Tigers why I have called them out." I rose ; and leaning again* the bar of the opened window, addressed the assembly. I was reckoned a good hand at a speech, and my feelings wit deeply roused. A dozen groans of norm interrupted me ; and when I ended b] offering to volunteer with the Tigers, i shout of applause greeted me. L — then made me come down and write out thi necessary warrants for the arrest of Herod and his gang, which he and five other n* gistrates signed. Scarcely had we doni so, when a horseman dashed up, with tbi news that Herod and his fellows were cloa at his heels, as if expecting to effect a sw prise. The Tigers fell in. Judge L-, heading about a hundred of them, took up a position in front of the house, while J, with as many more, hid ourselves in tin cypress grove. Another party, equallj strong, was concealed in a plantation. Ten minutes later the Hyenas came in sight with , Herod at their head. They reigned up wfihin twenty yards of Judge P—and tine line of tigers. " Well, Judge," cried H^rod, " I see you've obeyed orden You are';, going to regulate the county." " I am going to regulate a murderous tli4 called Hero».d," thundered the Judge. At the same instant we sprang forward, ami the astounded. Hyenas saw that they wen surrounded by\six times their own numbtf' Not a man ventured to offer resistance s»fl Herod ; but his own people fell upon him; and the gang o£ ruffians were our prisoners Judge L m.ade me pick out the thirteen members of Lynch's, Jury, who wen heavily ironed, a,nd marched away under I strong escort to { the , county prison. Tin rest were at once % well flogged with bickorj switches and turned adrift, without bors* or arms of any kicid ; and then, all excitement and fear beiag over, we thought od] of the more happy v event of the day. Tw principal Tiger regained ; and a m«JT time we had of it^ I can only add tW this, my marriage \was the commence^ 11 of a long series of fcappy days, unclouo* as yet by one cloud. \ I had foundag ool noble, excellent girl \for a wife, and a* l strove to be happy, so I was."