As  there  seemed  to  be  no  legal  or  moderate  remedy  for  such
annoying  and  innumerable  wrongs,  the  people  everywhere,  and
almost  simultaneously  arose  from  their  lethargy,  and  organizing
themselves  into  companies  of  lynchers,  took  the  law  into  their
own  hands.  And  hence,  terrible  scenes  ensued,  about  the  same
time  in  Missouri,  Arkansas,  and  Texas,  and  in  the  evils  of
anarchy  rivalled,  or  perhaps  surpassed,  the  outrages  which  they
had  been  intended  to  redress.  Every  ruthless  passion  was  let
loose  upon  society.  The  revolver  displaced  both  judge  and
sheriff,  and  the  bowie  knife  dethroned  Blackstone.  However,
during  the  conflict,  the  prestige  and  power  of  the  rogues,  re
ceived  a  death-blow,  and  never  again  assumed  a  menacing  position.
864  RANGERS   AND   REGULATORS    OF   THE    TANAHA.
The  day  after  their  capture,  Carlyle  and  his  friend  Currau,
with  Dublin  Jack,  were  seated  ou  the  floor  in  the  jail  at  Shelby-
ville,  indulging  in  those  gloomy  reflections,  and  terrible  fore
bodings,  which  their  situation  could  not  fail  to  inspire.  They
could  no  longer  entertain  the  least  hope,  even  to  preserve  life
itself,  except  by  a  verdict  of  acquittal  at  the  hands  of  a  jury.
Escape  from  their  prison  seemed  utterly  impossible  ;  for  heavy
chains  had  been  fastened  to  their  wrists  as  well  as  ancles,  and  a
strong  force  of  rangers  had  been  detailed  to  stand  guard  around
the  log-cabin  where  they  were  confined.
