The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-13

savage jealousy. The latter did mot at
tempt to conceal his own adherence o.
the outlaw, and it seemed likely thai
their enmity would result in fierce
quarrel when the unexpected return OF
Claudius Smith to the camp put new
aspect on affairs
As he appeared suddenly among hi
mon 1t could be seen that his eyes were
heavy with fatigue and his garments
travel stained. It was evident that he
had returned from long journey. Tc
the joyous greetings accorded him he
replied with savage scowl. grumbling
towards! Poltroons! To let yer
captain lie SO long in a rebel Jail with.
out coming to his rescued
"What! You have been prisoner
all this while, father3" asked his son,
advancing to salute him
AYE, and would have been one still
had not employed my own wits to es-
cape"
Then he explained how he had fallen
into the hands of the Americans while
on his way to fetch the parson and had
been lodged in a prison at Kingston
ever since.
"And now" be said YEARLY. II will
lie down for wink Of sleep. In the
meantime. " he added, throwing fierce
glance upon his men, "do ye prepare
for raid into the valley, for am de.
termined to have vengeance for my
wrongs"
This threat was overheard by Polly.
who did not fail to recognize its signifi-
cance It meant that the bandit chief
tain was about to swoop down upon
the defenseless inhabitants Of the val
ley to plund.r, ravage and burn. But
upon whom would his vengeance fall
In what direction would he striker If
she could only assure herself on these
important questions, it might be pos
sibls to thwart his design. While she
was rejecting in this wise, the bandit
strobe into the cavern.
tive come back without a parson,
as ye see, my pretty birds, he said
with grim smile, "but III keep my
promise yet. Ye must wait awhile.
however. as l have more important
affairs on hand " Then, turning to Rob-
lin, he added, hold yerself in readi-
ness to start out within few hours l
intend to lead an excursion into the
plain, and yen have charnce to show
the stuff ye're made Of -
A,rn,,,p% ,r,l,n,,, ,,,f 30
mover asked Robin.
i've not decided yet, was the an.
swer. "After have rested I'll hold
council of my officers, and form a plan.
But why do We ask this question:
he asked suspiciously.
II don't know, I'm sure, - was the
indifferent answer. for I'm not at all
interested in the matter
Apparently satisfied with this reply.
Captain Smith withdrew from tie cav
ern and sought resting place in a Sc
cludel crevice Of the rocks.
$50 there is to be Il council of officers
to decide upon y plans for this raid,
unused Polly after lie lad gone. Well,
I'll make it Point 10 h present at INC
meeting and hear what the outlaws
have to say Then I viii tell Edward
all. and together we may be ahle to ont
wit them.
With this idea in view tGe quietly
left the cavern and began carelessly
promenading the platform OUTSIDE. She
observed with a feeling of satisfaction
that the outlaws We're SO busily engaged
in making preparations for their escnr-
sion that they accorded her but 4 pass.
ing notice. some were examining the
locks of their mnskets. others were pre-
pairing cartridges, while others again
were grouped around grindstone
awaiting their turn to sharpen theil
sabers. Richard Smith was sitting
apart from the rest cleaning huge
horse pistol, and knowing that he would
be present at the council Polly deter
mined lot to let him out of her view
Several hours passed by, and she was
beginning to grow weary of waiting
when Claslius Smith appeared among
his outlaws and commanded the officers
to follow him Then he led the way to
the place be had fixed upon for the
council, Az this was IN n part of the
rocks outside the camp, Polly feared
that she would not be able to reach it
unobserved. Watching her opportunity.
however, she managed to steal away
unseen and by making wide circuit
to reacl the place of conference unmo.
Tested
Fortunately for her, the Tory officers
had chosen for their meeting place
kind of basin surrounded on all sides by
huge powders. This enabled her to
creep within hearing and to watch
them without her presence being sus-
pectcd. CHANGING through an opening
between two powders, she observed
that Cluutlius Smith WAS talking eager
ly TO his officers, who were grouped
around him with an expression of close
attention upon their evil faces,
The cheeks of the bandit captain |
we're flushed and his eyes glittered
cruelty. while the ferocitv of his conn
tenance was heightened by a livid scar
which extended diagonally across it
from his forehead to his chin He was
explaining the plan Of his intended
and this is what Polly heard
lim say
"'m out for rich haul this time.
ads, and | know just whar to make it.
There's no Use wearing ourselves out
IN wild goose chase for plumber when
'nough may be got by one bold stroke
o enrich us all Now, while l was in
all at Kingston fellow prisoner told
ne Of rich old miser who lives near
mountain He said the
I'D rascal had thousands Of pounds
oncealed somewhere about his house,
nd it's my intention to seize him and
make him show me the hiding place.
But s'posing the old miscr won't
ell1'' asked Richard Smith. with
rowl
"I'll find means to make him blsb,
ny son, his father answered grimly.
4 reckon he'll come to terms quick
nough after I've stretched his neck a
it.
This answer seemed to remove all
oubts from his sons mind, for after
rief pause he inquired: "But what is