their duty. Some they knew had already been sent to France, and others killed or wounded in opposing them so that Government at length began to be alarmed, and to apprehend consequences fatal to the public peace in case a speedy check was not put upon their audacious proceedings.
The doings of the "Hawkhurst Gang," however, brought matters to a climax, and the people of Goudhurst, in Kent, finding their lives and property unsafe, drew up a paper in which they expressed their abhorrence of the conduct of the smugglers, and their determination to oppose them. A considerable number of them formed themselves into a band, called "The Goudhurst Band of Militia," and they placed themselves under the command of a young man of the name of Sturt, a native of Goudhurst, who had served in a regiment of foot, and who had been a prime mover in the formation of this band. The smugglers soon learnt of this confederacy, and they contrived to waylay one of the militia, and by confinement and threats, extorted from him a full disclosure of the plans and intentions of his colleagues.
After swearing him not to take up arms against them, they let him go, desiring him to inform his confederates, that they would come on a certain day, attack the town, murder every one therein, and burn it to the ground. Sturt, on this intelligence, convened his little band, and took every precaution in his power -
