Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-19
CHAPTER VII

THE ATTACK on GHURxKRA
As Il was fully 20 miles to the house
Of Caleb Shurker. Clsudius Smith de.
cided to start out at an earlier hour
than he had at first intended. for this
would enable him TO advance slowly
and spare the horses for the return
journey.
So when Robin reached the glade
where the bandits had gathered he
found them already mounted for the
march Caudius turned upon him saw
agely.
WHAT Must We b kept waiting
while ye make love. varleti Fall in the
ranks. sir. and see that 20 behave with
spiritl"
Then turning to his men he shouted
"All ready. menf Forward
There was . rattling Of arms tram
pling Of boots. prancing and wheeling
Of horses as the bandits formed in line
Of march and tho cavalcade cantered
two by two from the glade Placing
himself At its head. Clsudius Smith led
the way into broad bride path that
wound through the forest and proceed
ed for about . mile at Q rapid gait
Then the path narrowed and the men
fell in single line, picking their way
along . rugged descent with their
horses at . walk
A they descended lower and lower
along the mountain side the sun drop
ped from view and gradually the twi-
light deepened Il grew darker and
darker. One BY one the stars appeared
through openings in the trees overhead.
and at last Il became difficult for the
men to descry each other In the deep.
ening gloom
At last they reached the base Of the
mountains and struck into an unfre-
quented byroad which ran In norther-
" direction. Here they again formed
two by two and proceeded at . canter
until they reached . little spring that
gushed from the side Of precipice. At
this place Claudius Smith called halt
| for rest and refreshment The bandits
dismounted. partook Of . hasty repast
and after watering their horses ut the
spring and quenching their own thirst
with copious drafts Of spirits from thsir
canteens eprang into the saddle again
and resumed their journey.
About 10 in the evening they struck
Into highway that wound along the
base Of Shawangunk mountain. Then
the command for silence passed from
| lip to lip, and they advanced with ex-
treme caution until they came In sight
Of great stone farmhouse which stood
at the right Of the road The shutters
were all closed and II was evident that
the inmates were sleeping. Robin rec
ognixed Il at once as the home Of Caleb
Shurker. and his heart beat quickly
with q desire for vengeance
Captain Smith now called halt and
began . brisf whispered consultation
with his officers Robin was about 70
draw near to listen TO the discussion
when II was rudely interrupted BY the
| furious barking Of . dog The faithful
animal had been sleeping on the porch
Of the dwelling and. awakened BY the
| approsrh Of the. Tories. now came
| bounding into the road making the
welkin ring with dssp mouthed warn
inga
s.Blarst the Curl exclaimed the Tory
chieftain, with IN oath Then. turning
quickly 70 his men, be bawled out
hoarsely: Surround the house, lada
and let no one escapa Be quicki
The bandits immediately put spur
10 their horsss and IN few secondl
had formed . complete Gordon around
TIE dwelling. Robin had taken his sta'
| Hon before the front door with an ids.
| q taking IN active part In The proposed
attack. but while hs was gazing hsrcs
h ND q the windowA glcsting IN ~
ticipation Of his approaching revenge
IN incideut occurred which completely
swept away svsry evil purposs from hi'
heart :.
] He ssw eas q ths shuttsrs oa -