There was a kind of dreadful poetical justice in thus making the stolen horse the thief's executioner; it gave the animal himself an opportunity to wreak vengeance for all wrongs received, and at the same time allowed his captor the rare privilege of galloping on his back into eternity.
Such was the mode of settling such offences against the peace and dignity of the settlements; such was the way in which Stackpole had been reduced to his unenviable situation; and, that all passers-by might take note that the execution had not been done without authority, there was painted upon the smooth white bark of the tree, in large black letters, traced by a finger well charged with moistened gunpowder, the ominous name--JUDGE LYNCH,--the Rhadamanthus of the forest, whose decisions are yet respected in the land, and whose authority sometimes bids fair to supersede that of all erring human tribunals.
Thus tied up, his rifle, knife, and ammunition laid under a tree hard by, that he might have the satisfaction, if satisfaction it could be, of knowing they were in safety, the executioners had left him to his fate, and ridden away long since, to attend to other important affairs of the colony.
The moment that Roland understood in whose service he was drawing his sword, a change came over the spirit of his thoughts and feelings, and he returned it very composedly to its sheath,--much to the satisfaction of the negro, Emperor, who, recognising the unfortunate Ralph at the same instant, cried aloud, "'Top massa! 't ar Captain Stackpole, what stole Brown Briery! Reckon I'll touch the pony on the rib, hah! Hanging too good for him, white niggah t'ief, hah!" With that, the incensed negro made as if he would have driven the pony from under the luckless Ralph; but was prevented by his master, who, taking a second survey of the spectacle, motioned to the horror-struck females to retire, and prepared himself to follow them.
"'Tarnal death to you, captain! you won't leave me ?" cried Ralph, in terror.

"Honour bright! Help him that needs help--that's the rule for a Christian!" "Villain!" said Roland, sternly, "I have no help to give you.

You are strung up according to the laws of the settlements, with which I have no desire to interfere.

I am the last man you should ask for pity." "I don't ax your pity, 'tarnal death to me,--I ax your _help_.'" roared Ralph; "Cut me loose is the word, and then sw'ar at me atter! I stole your hoss thar:--well, whar's the harm?
Didn't he fling me, and kick me, and bite me into the bargain, the cursed savage?
and ar'n't you got him ag'in as good as ever?
And besides, didn't that etarnal old Bruce fob me off with a beast good for nothing, and talk big to me besides?
and warn't that all fa'r provocation?
An didn't you yourself sw'ar ag'in shaking paws with me, and treat me as if I war no gentleman?
'Tarnal death to me, cut me loose, or I'll haunt you, when I'm a ghost, I will, 'tarnal death to me!" "Cut him down, Roland, for Heaven's sake!" said Edith, whom the surprise and terror of the spectacle at first rendered speechless: "you surely,--no, Roland, you surely can't mean to leave him to perish ?" "Upon my soul," said the soldier, and we are sorry to record a speech representing him in a light so unamiable, "I don't see what right I have to release him; and I really have not the least inclination to do so.

The rascal is the cause of all our difficulties; and, if evil should happen us, he will be the cause of that too.