A few words of encouragement and cheer, given to their several commands by Munro and Dexter, were scarcely necessary, for what risk had their adherents to run--what to fear--what to lose?
The courage of the desperado invariably increases in proportion to his irresponsibility.

In fortune, as utterly destitute as in character, they had, in most respects, already forfeited the shelter, as in numberless instances they had not merely gone beyond the sanction, but had violated and defied the express interdict, of the laws; and now, looking, as such men are apt most usually to do, only to the immediate issue, and to nothing beyond it, the banditti--for such they were--with due deliberation and such a calm of disposition as might well comport with a life of continued excitement, proceeded again, most desperately, to set them at defiance.
The military came on in handsome style.

They were all fine-looking men; natives generally of a state, the great body of whose population are well-formed, and distinguished by features of clear, open intelligence.
They were well-mounted, and each man carried a short rifle, a sword, and pair of pistols.

They rode in single file, following their commander; a gentleman, in person, of great manliness of frame, possessed of much grace and ease of action.

They formed at command, readily, in front of the post, which may be now said to have assumed the guise of a regular military station; and Fullam, the captain, advancing with much seeming surprise in his countenance and manner, addressed the squatters generally, without reference to the two leaders, who stood forth as representatives of their several divisions.
"How is this, my good fellows?
what is meant by your present military attitude?
Why are you, on the sabbath, mustering in this guise--surrounded by barricades, arms in your hands, and placing sentinels on duty.