The time of our stay was--it was hoped--too transient to make it worth while bothering about organizing any form of government.

The great bulk of the boys were recent comers, who hoped that in another week or so they would be out again.

There were no fat salaries to tempt any one to take upon himself the duty of ruling the masses, and all were left to their own devices, to do good or evil, according to their several bents, and as fear of consequences swayed them.

Each little squad of men was a law unto themselves, and made and enforced their own regulations on their own territory.

The administration of justice was reduced to its simplest terms.