News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-07-12
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CHAPTER V.
ASGIT,P AIDING As 4 TORY

vi all the lOIE leauGTS WHO tdNdGeu
and terrorized the country around New
York during the Revolution Claudius
Smith was the most fearless and ag-
gressive. He was 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 answering loyalty to
his king He robbed the rich to bestow
upon the poor and concluded his life
in true bandit fashion-at arope's end
From Fort Lee to Newburg he dev-
astated the region west OF the Hudson
like consuming scourge, descending
into the valleys with fire and sword,
and before 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 hved were elnl.
nently favorable to his peculiar mode OF
warfare while he found ready market
for his plunder among the BRUSH soi-
dlerS stationed at stony Folht ana For'
Lee
Such was the man Whom E0"ar"
Robin hau agreed 10 serve
A month mao passed SINCE IE7 ou''
law departure Ior a GoMlhle 10 marry
The runaWays' Yer ne haa not returned
from MS mission. lis lalluIe 10 Keep
MS promise caused theLi Vne NeelleSl
aHAleIy' "HlCH Was SL9IVlS "uSH'eHL'"
by the precautions ne h2a taken lor
thelr sare dS-ehtloh curing ms absence
Tor shortly aIter ms gong paha Oh ms
outlaws arrived at the cavern unoef the
command or his son hlchard' ana
close watch had oeen Kept upon them
ever since EoDlIn ruined ana 1ret1ed
under THIS enforced captivity,
ATE Is against me folIy' ne
would say 10 tle girl ~ seems IhaC
have escaped from the Goshen jail only
to be imprisoned here. 1t Is evident
that | am doomed to be captive Tor
the remainder OF my days
10 winch PoLy would reply
Don I despair LdWard. You Will
gain your freedom yet and then we can
get married and 1--we happily together
In the meantime we may be able to
turn our captivity to the advantage OF
our country Let us pretend to sym
pathl2e with these Tories and WIN their
confidence linen we may be able to
gain a knowledge OF thelr designs ana
thWart them
10 tins plan her lover readily agreed,
and Immediately began masqueradlng
as Tory He cursed the Wings, in
weighed against the Continental con-
gress and scattered threats OF Wreak-
ing vengeance upon the patriots so llo-
orally that he soon won the admiration
OF his captors Yet although they be-
lleved III his sincerity they did not re-
lax their vigilance and his acting was
futile so far as attoralng HIM any
chance to escape was concerned
In the meantime Richard Smith had
taken violent fancy to Polly lie per
secuted her with his attentions and on
her giving hlm to understand that they
were not agreeable endeaVored to IN
timidate her with threats. Toward
Robin ne began to EXHIBIT a spirit OF
savage jealousy. The latter dld not at
tempt to conceal his own adherence OF
the outlaw, and 1t seemed likely that
their enmlty would result in a fierce
quarrel when the unexpected return of
Claudius Smith to the camp put new
aspect on affairs.
AS he appeared suddenly among his
men 1t could be seen that his eyes were
heavy with fatigue and his garments
travel stained, 1t was evident that he
had returned from long journey. To
the Joyous greetings accorded him he
replied with savage scoWl' grumbllng
towards! Poltroons! 10 let yer
captain lie so long in rebel Jail with
out coming to his rescue!
what You have been prisoner
all this while tatherf asked his son,
advancing to salute him
aye ana would nave been one still
mad not employed my own wits to es'
cape
1hen ne explained now he mad fallen