Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-26

chieftain. beside himself with fury
"D'ye think fear man. God. or devilf'
Blind with rage. be leaped upon the
steps and mounted them with the agili.
ty Of tiger. As his head came through
the Hoor Robin struck at IL savagely
with his saber
Steel rang against steel. sparks scin-
tillated in the darkness, and the weapon
dew ont a Robins hand II had
glanced of the blade Of the saber with
which the outlaw had been shrewd
enough to cover his attack
The Tory chieftain sprang into the
attic triumphant He saw in the gloom
the form Of a man crouching away
from him and raised his saber aloft to
deal u dcathhlow. The next instant
the blade cut cleaning swath in the
air and descended swiftly.
The blew was well intended; never
theless II missed It's mark. for rs he
was in the net Of delivering Il Tory
rushed precipitately into the attic and
jostled against him. At the sane in
slant the sharp report Of firearms the
clash Of swords, cries Of terror and
shouts Of triumph arose In a deafening
tumult from below. Another Tory came
tumbling into the loft
ave are betrayed he shouted In
tones that Quavered with fear. Run.
captain. run. for the Americans have
surrounded the house!"
Then he and his comrsde scurried
away in the darkness and concealed
themselves in the lumber that Uttered
the attic. Their chief stood at the head
Of the stairs looking down upon the
tumultuous scene below like one petri.
6ed The light Of the torches, borne
hither and shither by his men as they
fought TO escape from their assailants
threw ftful CLEANS upon his counte-
nance. and Robin could zee that 10 had
turned q hideous. livid hue from bafiied
rage and despair.
Presently a deep voice thundered
above the din.
"Claudins Smith In In the loft Up
and at him. meni Give the outlaw no
quarter
Al this Claudius uttered a defiant
laugh
AYE. but 20 must catch me nrst ye
biarsted rebels!" he growled between
his teeth
Then he turned and ran quickly TO-
ward one Of the dormer windowa
Scarcely had he reached IL when there
was an onrush Of footsteps on the mar
row staira and q number Of furious
frontiersmsn sprang one after another
into the loft, where they scattered and
began searching the lumber and rubbish
for the bandit chief. Presently one Of
them caught sight Of him - he was In
the act Of crawling through the dormer
window With Q shout Of exultation he
hurried after him. arriving at the win
dow just In time 10 SEQ the fugitive
scramble nimbly down the sioping roof
10 the gutter. swing himself 70 the
veranda below, dido. down one Of its
pillars and escape across the lawn 70
the place where his horse was tethned
In the meantime Robin had narrow
II escaped death at the hands Of the
other assailansa On their hrst coming
into she attic they had psssed him by
unnoticed. and he had since been too
much bewildersd by the strange events
transpiring before him 10 pay much
- A. .i.:. ,.~vo-oct. Ic1aad xvhSl.
they were searching the loft for the
Tory chief be WAS engaged in admins
tering 10 zadie. who had relapsed into
unconsciousnsss when Claudius swung
his saber st her defender The from
tiersmsn came upon him while be was
chafing the hands and temples Of the
girl with the idea Of restoring her TO
her senses and. setting upon him furi.
ously. would have dispatched him in
the darkness had be not warned them
quickly that he was not an enemy.
Hold. my 6ne fsllowsi" he cried
would you slay true Americanr"
At this they dropped their weapons
and one Of them Lii . torch and held IL
close to his fsce For . moment he
scrutinized the young mans counte-
nance keenly. Then be broke ont into 4
cry Of amazement
"By the powers sbove It's Edward
Roblinl''
The young man glanced quickly at
the speaker. and his heart sank within
him. for he found himself fscs 70 face
with his RELENTLESS psrsscutor. Farmer
Prica