The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-16
now. Edward whispered Polly close
to his ear
And realizing the truth of her warn
ing he bowed his head upon his breast
and returned dejectedly into the cavern
CHAPTER V.
AS A TORY.

MASQUERADING AS A TORY.
Of all the Tory leaders who ravaged
and terrorized the country around New
York during the Revolution Claudius
Smith was the most fearless and ag-
gressive He was a man of powerful
physique and commanding presence, of
great personal bravery and keen pene-
tration
In reviewing his tempestuous career
we find that he possessed many of the
characteristics popularity attributed to
Robin Hood Acts of violence were offset
by deeds of charity. hatred and ferocity
by gratitude and mercy. and treach-
cry to his foes by unswerving loyalty to
his king He robbed the rich to bestow
upon the poor. and concluded his life
in true bandit fashion-at ropes end.
From Fort Lee to Newburg he dew
astated the region west of the Hudson
like a consuming scourge. descending
into the valleys with fire and sword.
and before a sufficient force could be
mustered to assure his capture escaping
to his strcngholds in the mountains to
plan another raid The topography Of
the country in which he resided and
the times in which he lived were emf
nently favorable to his peculiar mode of
warfare while he found ready market
for his plumber among the British SOL
diers stationed at Stony Point and Fort
Lee.
Such was the man whom Edward
Robin had agreed to serve.
A month had passed since the out
laws departure for a dominic to marry
the runaways. Yet he had not returned
from his mission His failure to keep
his promise caused them the keenest
anxiety. which was greatly augmented
by the precautions he had taken fo1
their safe detention during his absence.
for shortly after his going band of his
outlaws arrived at the cavern under the
command of his son Richard. and q
close watch had been kept upon them
ever since. Robin fumed and fretted
under this enforced captivity.
"Fate is against me. Polly" hi
would say to the girl. ''1t seems that
have escaped from the Goshen Jail only
to be imprisoned here. 1t is evident
that l am doomed to be captive fol
the remainder of my days.
To which Polly would reply:
"Don't despair. Edward. You viii
gain your freedom yet. and then we cal
get married and live happily together
In the meantime we may be able t.
tnrn our captivity to the advantage O
our country. Let us pretend to sym
| pathize with these Tories and win thei
confidence Then we may be able t.
gain knowledge of their designs ant
thwart them.
To this plan her lover readily agreed
and Immediately began masqueradinl
as Tory He cursed the Wings, in
| weighed against the Continental con
gress and scattered threats of wreak
| ing vengeance upon the patriots SO lib
orally that he soon won the admiration
| of his captors. Yet although they be
lieved in his sincerity they did not re
lax their vigilance. and his acting wa
futile so far as affording him an.
chance to escape was concerned.
| In the meantime Richard Smith ha
taken violent fancy to Polly. He per
secuted her with his attentions. and o.
her giving him to understand that the
were not agreeable endeavored to in
| timidate her with threats. Towar
Robin he began to exhibit a spirit Q
savage jealousy. The latter did not al
tempt to conceal his own adherence G
the outlaw, and it seemed likely tina
their enmity would result in a ferc
| quarrel. when the unexpected return G
| Claudius Smith to the camp put ne1
aspect on affairs.
As he appeared saddenly among hi
men it could be seen that his eyes wer
heavy with fatigue and his garment
travel stained. 1t was evident that b
had returned from long journey. 7
the joyous greetings accorded him b
replied with savage scowl. grumbling
"Cowards! Poltroons! To let ye
captain lie so long in a rebel Jail with
out coming to his rescued
"WhatI You have been a prisone
all this while father2' asked his sol
advancing to salute him.
"Aye. and would have been one sti
had not employed my own wits to @
cape"
! Then he explained how he had falle
into the hands of the Americans viii
on his way to fetch the parson and ha
been lodged in prison at Kingsto
ever since.
"And now. he said wearily. ''I wi
lie down for wink of sleep. In tt
meantime. he added. throwing fert
glance upon his men, edo ye prepar
for a raid into the valley, for l am de
termined to have vengeance for m
wrongs.
This threat was overheard by Polly
who did not fail to recognize its signif
Icance. 1t meant that the bandit CHIEF
tain was about to swoop down upo
the defenseless inhabitants of the va
ley to plunder, ravage and burn. Bu
upon whom would his vengeance fall
In what direction would he strike?
she could only assure herself on thes
important questions, it might be POI
sible to thwart his design. While 81
was rejecting in this wise, the band
ktrode into the cavern.
GIVE come back without parsol
us ye see, my pretty Birds he sal
with a grim smile, "but I'll keep m
promise yet. Ye must wait awhil
however, as I have more importa1
affairs on hand. Then, turning to Rel
lin, he added, "hold yerself in read
ness to start out within a few hours.
intend to lead an excursion into tt
plain, and yell have a charnce to sho
the stuff ye're made of. -
against whom do you intend
mover" asked Robin.
GIVE not decided yet" was the al
swer. ''After l have rested I'll hold
co11nni1 Of ,nu officarS and form a Mai