They had purchased several pistols with their money, and confessed their intention of becoming highwaymen! It was ascertained that they had been reading the adventures of Dick Turpin, and other noted highwaymen, which had given them this singular and dangerous taste for a life in violation of the laws of God and man.

My young readers will see where Tim got his ideas, and I hope they will shun books which narrate the exploits of pirates and robbers.
Two officers were chosen in each band to command the squads.

Tim was shrewd enough to know that the more offices he created, the more friends he would insure--members who would stand by him in trial and difficulty.
In Charles's band, one of these offices was given to the turbulent Barney; his fidelity was thus secured, and past differences reconciled.
"Now, Charley, my crew shall put up one tent, and yours the other." "Very well," replied Charles, who derived a certain feeling of security from the organization which had just been completed, and he began to feel more at home.
The stakes were driven down, and the poles placed upon the forks; but sewing the cloth together for the covering was found to be so tedious a job that it was abandoned.

The strips were drawn over the frame of the tent, and fastened by driving pins through it into the ground.

Then it was found that there was only cloth enough to cover one tent.