ithout his consent, than did Bill and Dick in
their attempt; for one of them was so badly wounded as to be scarcely able,
with the assistance of his companion, to get away from the field and to his
own home. Next day it was rumored that such a neighbor was badly wounded,
and it was very doubtful if he recovered. Of course the wound was accounted
for on strictly honorable grounds; but people understood the matter; and
when, the second day, his remains were borne to the tomb, people shook
their heads, but kept their lips compressed. If his children could grow up
honest men, the crime for which their father died should never be imputed
to them, or cast reproach upon their after lives. Then, too, it would not
do to speak too plainly about a man's being killed, as it might lead to
unpleasant consequences in after years, perhaps; for men were acting
unlawfully in thus defending their property with arms.

These things caused still more active and energetic measures to be adopted
by the Anti-League. A vigilance committee was appointed, consisting at
first of three, and afterward of five men, who were to serve one month, and
then be relieved by other five, each member taking his turn, until all had
served. The duty of this committee was to keep a constant watch upon the
movements of all suspected characters; and when a horse was stolen, to
follow up the thief until, if possible, the offender was taken and the
horse recovered. 'Squire Williams volunteered to serve on this committee as
one of the first five, and four others joined themselves with him. For
himself, without naming his suspicions to any one, he kept an eye upon
Duffel's movements, resolved, if he was guilty, to prove him so, by the
collection of such facts as would convict him in a court of justice. The
neighbor who was with him on the night of the attack became his companion
on the committee, and took upon himself the task of watching Bill and Dick.
This arrangement was made the day after the thieves had been shot at; so
that while Duffel was busy making his arrangements with the members of the
Thief League, in anticipation of a speedy removal of the head quarters of
operations to another part of the country, and while Bill and Dick were
busy with their plans of villainy, having in view the defeat of Duffel and
the possession of Eveline, the committee were also busy, endeavoring by the
most active and vigilant efforts, conducted at the same time with great
celerity, t