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The rangers and regulators of the Tanaha, or, Life among the lawless. Arrington, Alfred W. (1810–1867).
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page: [View Page ] THE RANGERS AND REGULATORS OF THE TANAHA
page: Illustration (TitlePage) [View Page Illustration (TitlePage) ]

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The young traveller, thinking that she would faint with her nameless agitation, flew to meet her, and extended his arms for support, when suddenly, as the last burning bolt of the thunder-storm, a forked arrow of amethystine flame dashed between them, and both sank upon the earth, with their unconscious lips in contact, while a final peal from heaven, louder than all the rest, sounded like a knell for their funeral !-PAGE 17.

THE RANGERS AND REGULATORS OF THE TANAHA: OR, Life Among the Lawless. A TALE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS.

BY

CHARLES SUMMERFIELD, (A.W. ARRINGTON),

Late Judge of the Rio Grande District. AUTHOR OF "SKETCHES OF THE SOUTH-WEST."

NEW YORK: ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, (LATE DE WITT & DAVENPORT), 160 & 162 NASSAU STREET

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ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by ROBERT M., DE WITT, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. W. H. TINSON, Stereotyper. GEO. RUSSELL, & Co., Printer. G. W. ALEXANDER, Binder.

To The Memory
OF
THE SONS OF IMMORTAL GENIUS,
Whose political wisdom extended the luminous area of Freedom by the successive additions of Florida's ever-green peninsula, of the imperial domain and priceless delta of Louisiana, of the world-controlling cotton-fields of Texas, of California's golden valleys, and the silver mountains of New Mexico—and to all those who inherit the same passion for pioneering progress, and equal love for the glory of their native land, this work is dedicated in humility and hope by the

AUTHOR.

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PREFACE.

THE design of the author in the humble conception and hasty preparation of the following work was to give explicitly an accurate picture of one phase in the development of South-Western life, namely, the pioneering or transition state, and inferentially to account for its existence in the peculiar social circumstances of its actual environment. I had thought, at first, to present the matter in a purely narrative form, with precise localities, names, and dates, so as to realize a veritable history, as thrilling and intensely dramatic in its events as any probable romance could be. But a little reflection soon satisfied me that such a method of treatment would be unnecessarily cruel, as many of the actors in those stormy scenes which find a place in the sequel are still living, while the others now no more, have left friends and relatives who would be pained to a profound degree by revelations of so special a character. I was compelled, therefore, by motives of humanity, to exhibit the facts in the shape of a tale or story, indulging at the same time in a few of the liberties allowed by that species of composition. Nevertheless, I can truly affirm, that in no instance have I suffered myself to deal in exaggerations, or to interpolate utterly fictitious incidents. I have even omitted the historical consequence of "the poisoned wedding," not only from want of space, but in order to avoid too great an accumulation of deadly horrors. For as it now stands, the delineation will doubtless be charged with an excess of dark and gloomy coloring. I admit the objection, and offer in excuse the unanswerable plea of fidelity to the facts. I have described society in the given sphere as it was, and I may add, as it always will be under similar circumstances.

page: viii-ix[View Page viii-ix]

Every new country, when first opened to emigration, is settled by a strange mixture of heterogeneous elements—by the enterprising and the virtuous seeking to improve their condition, and by the vicious of different grades who desire to escape from the trammels or the terrors of the law. In such cases, a collision between the opposing interests and passions becomes inevitable. Theft, robbery, and fearful homicides precipitate the crisis; and in the absence of all legitimate authority and regular organization, the remedy of lynching is the natural result. That is the epoch of strife, turbulence, and general combat—the state of nature, which is always a state of war, when sanguinary crimes provoke still more sanguinary punishments; and savage fury and brutal force inaugurate the reign of universal terror.

It must not be supposed, however, that this transititional transitional period is peculiar to any geographical section of the country. It has been witnessed in Illinois, in Wisconsin, and in Missouri, as well as in Arkansas, Texas, and California; and everywhere it has been the effect of the same social causes. In all the instances, too, the phenomenon has been equally brief in duration. The evil soon runs its course. The anarchists and desperadoes are either exterminated or driven farther to the west; and the beautiful spirit of order and progress emerges from the chaos of confusion and blood. For, not even in the petty contests of life on the frontier, any more than in the mightiest shock of adverse nations and races, will humanity or civilization ever suffer a permanent check, or lose a single important battle.

CONTENTS.

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