The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-06-25
CHAPTER w.
HE RoBBER CIIIEFTAIS.
lie was the miliest mannCrcd man
That aver scuiiled shin or cut a TIM

lie was the mihlest mannercj man
That ever scutllei ship, or cut a throat.
Sybil had passed the day in the robbers den
with her strange companion, who astonshed her
by stating that the captain of the band had
been present at her masquerade. Late in the
afternoon, dinner was announced. at which sew
eral ofthe robbers appeared, with MOlOch, a
gigantic ruilian at their head. MOloch was the
lieutenant of the band, and in the absence of the
captain, ruled with brutal sway. Becoming in
famed with wine, he took seat by the side oil
Sybil, threw his arm about her, and attempts
ell to imprint u kiss upon her lips.
Sybil struggled in terror, and the gypsy girl
cried out:
"Men why don't you interfere' He is rude
TO the lady :!
ave never meddle between other men and
their swccthearts. Do we, matesI" called out
one.
emo, no, no I" answered the others.
"Oh, if Satan were here ~ cried the girl in
despair.
SATAN SIS HERE - responded voice close
by.
And the rObbcr captain stood among them rs
il he had risen from the earth.
Moloch dropped Sybil, and covered In the
most abject manner.
Sybil looked up, and turned cold from head
to foot for in the handsome, stately, graceful
form Of the brigand chief. she recognized the
finished gentleman who, in the character OF
.sDeath" had danced with her at her own mask
ball, and-the probable murderer Of Rosa
BlOndelle
While the walls Of the cavern scemel whirl-
ing around Sybil, the robter captain calmly
came up to her, lifted his hat, and said:
"Spirit Of Fire, am happy to welcome you
to your own appropriate dwelling place = and
then without expecting an answer, he turned TO
MOlOch, and said in his smOothest tones:
"Be so good as to give me this seat, SIR"
But Sybil saw that the giant turned pale and
trcmbled like the fablel mountain in labor, as
he lrft the seat by her side, and skunk into an
other at some distance.
The wine passed freely at the robbers table,
and the men grew merrier, wilder, more up
roarious Sybil became very much alarmed |;
and not so much by the noisy orgies Of these
rude jewellers, as by the dreadful gaze Of Moloch
fixed upon her from the opposite end Of the
table where he sat. and the offensive language
Of STAINS eyes whenever they turned towards
her.
AT length, unable to bear the trial longer, she
arOse from her seat, and eourtesying TO these
brigands as she would have done TO any set Of
gentlemen Of whom she was taking leave, Sybil
LEFT the cavern, followed by Gcntiliska, the gyp-
~ girl.
.'I must take you to another grotto You
cannot occupy mine Tonight" said the girl,
with evident reluctance.
"But, oh why. why may not stay with
You am afraid to sleep alone in this terrible
place." pleaded Sybi.
81 have reason, but cannot tell IL 10 you
now. Yes will. too will tell you at all
risks Then II is this My chamber is not safe
for you | myself am not strong enough to
prctect you You might he carried off forci-
bly, nom my side! must hide you where no
devil may find you to-night'' whispered the
girl. - r
"Oh, do not leave me here alone - pleaded
Sybil. elf must stay, stay with mel do
not fear death; but oh I fear these men Do
not leave me"' u.
81 must, for your own safety They must not
miss me, or their suspicious will be aroused"
Then pointing to a bel Of moss, and recon-
mending her guest TO lie down and seek reposc,
the gypsy girl glidoi away through the labyrinth
OF caves and was lost TO sight aud hearing.
Syhil's first impulse was 10 start up and run
after her hostess, but she rstraincl herself. and
sank half fainting upon the heap Of moss.
There was buta faint sparkling OF light In
the cave, coming fiVm crevice in the roof
through which the moonlight entered.
seek rpose," had been the advice OF Gen.
tiliska.
Sybil das~l not seek Il IL she could, and could
not have found Il IL she hai Hour after hour
passed. in trance-like stiffness and silence. when