Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-08-05
Copyright, 1899, by the Author.
CHAPTER TX.
CAUGHT IN A TRAP.

He could see lights moving about in the
house below him and hear the hoarse
cries of the bandits as they ran from
chamber to chamber in search OF plum
der
Presently terrified scream Informed
him that they had discovered the hid
ing place of old Caleb Shurker and were
dragging him forth to make him sur
render his hoard He was pleading pit
eously for mercy as they forced him to
accompany them to their chief With
blows, curses and insults the rufflans
drove him before them until they reach
ed the lawn in front Of the dwelling
where Claudius Smith was awaiting
them
Robin now left his post and ap-
preached one of the dormer windows.
Looking down from this coign of
vantage. he deserted the shadowy forms
of the outlaws grouped around the per-
son of their chief, who was standing
under the branches of an apple tree
sternly questioning his quaking pris-
oner He could hear the hoarse bass OF
the bandit and the Quavering treble OF
his victim alternating in inquiries and
replies, but just what passed between
them it was impossible to make out
Ali at once the bandit shouted angrily
"Blarst my eyes, what stubborn
fool ye be! If yell not tell where the
gold is hid. why, then, ye must hang.
that's all Then. turning to his men.
he asked quickly. ''Rave any Of ye got
q roper"
The suggestion acted upon the pas
sions Of the ruffians like spark applied
to gunpowder.
Hang the rebel! Swing him up!
they yelled. crowding around the pris.
oner and shaking their fists in his face
One of them ran off quickly and soon
returned with stout cord. A running
moose was made at one end of it and
thrown over the prisoners head. Then
he was hurried beneath the apple tree.
"Now. my lads. swing him up!
commanded the Tory chieftain.
An indescribable uproar followed
these words Robin could see nothing
but struggling mass of men surging
around the prisoner. whose body pres
emily shot up above their heads, dan
Cling at the end of rope. But he was
not permitted to witness the end Of the
tragedy, for at that moment he heard
the sound of footsteps upon the attic
stairs
Instantly divining that some skulking
Tories had left their comrades to come
hither and plunder in secret, he ran to
the head of the fight and, picking up
his saber, awaited their appearance
through the opening. He was just in
time, for the next instant the first OF
the bandits reached the top of the steps
He was in the act of passing into the
attic when he received such rap on
the sconce from Robin saber that he
plunged headlong to the floor below
where he lay like one dead This had
the effect of dampening the ardor of his
comrades
Peering through the opening, Robin
observed that they hesitated, consulted
together and then beat hasty retreat
He heard them running down rapidly
through the house and knew that they
had gone to bring others to their assist.
apce. Although he realized that he had
no hope of successfully withstanding
the odds that would be brought into
requisition. he determined to defend
Zadie to the last He fully believed that
the outcome Of the struggle would be
death. Nevertheless this did not de-
prive him of his courage.
While he was waiting the return OF
the Tories the girl regained her senses
"Where am II" she moaned feebly
Robin hastened to her side.
'Be still, Zadie" he whispered, bend
ing over her. "Your safety depends
upon it. 1t must not be known that
you have taken refuge here.
Eyes, yes. know now. she moan
ed sadly 1.-The Tories have broken into
the house They are after my husbands
gold. Oh, poor, poor Caleb If they de-
prive him Of his money. it will kill
him.
Suddenly the stairs resounded to the
tread of many footsteps, accompanied
by confused shouts and the rattle Of
steel against steel The Tories were ap-
preaching Some of them were carry
ing torches whose light already pens
trated the darkness of the loft
fastening back to his post, Robin
could see them hurrying toward the
stairs like pack of hungry wolves
When they reached the bottom of the
flight. he drew back into the shadow
and waited.
Presently a flaming torch was pro-
truded through the door, followed by
ferocious face searching the darkness
Robin swung his saber and the rash
intruder fell backward down the steps,
carrying two comrades with him. The
crash of their fall was followed by
few seconds of profound silence, during
which Robin stood over the opening
with uplifted weapon, ready to strike
down the next Tory who might be bold
enough to show his head. Then the
stiffness was broken by hoarse voice
mingling strange oaths with direful
threats