The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-08-03

of command:
"Surrender!''
CHAPTER ".
IN WHICH A NOTORIOUS CHARACTER Is IN
PRODUCED.
Fully believing the fellow to be one
of party Of pursuers sent to recapture
him, Edward Robin was overcome by
despair. If he had been alone, he would
not have hesitated to take a desperate
chance of escape by attempting to ride
him down. but Polly's presence render
ed such course impossible He would
willingly have risked his own life but
felt that he had no right to endanger
hers. So throwing the reins upon the
horses back and raising his arms above
his head to show that he was unarmed
he called out to the man:
''Don't shoot! I'll give up!'
At this the stranger lowered his rifle,
and advancing to the side of the chaise
said grufay!
"Ye've kept me waiting a long time
for this charnce, Joe Westbrook, but
I've got ye at larst.''
Robin looked down at him bewilder-
eddy.
''Come!' continued the speaker in
peremptory tones. "Out with ye! I've
had my eye on that chestnut nag of
yer'n for long time. and now mean
to take it. -
Realizing that it would be useless to
nor
ground and then assisted his companion
to alight
cts pretty hard on me, my friend,''
he said bitterly, ''to be- dragged back to
the Goshen Jail after getting so far
away from it. However, if you treat
this poor girl kindly, I'll not complain
The man turned toward him in aston
ishment
"Why, blarst my eyes!' he exclaim-
ed. "Ye're not Joe Westbrook after
all"
81 never claimed to be-, answered
the young man.
''Then who be yer
"a poor fellow whom you would as
sist, if you had heart - Polly inter
posed warmly.
The man turned to her with an
amused chuckle.
"And what may pretty Polly West
brook be ADDING up here in the noun
tains along with stranger and her
fathers nag?' he asked gayly.
The girl made no answer
''Oh. I reckon I understand yer
case, my gal, he continued "Ye're
running away with this lad to git mar
ried. Why it's quite romantic, de-
clare!"
While speaking he looked from one
to the other with an amused, patroniz-
ing air, and then went on:
"Well. Claudius Smith is not the
kind of man to part true lovers, spe-
cially when their counting is objection
able to a mortal enemy"
Claudius Smith!
On hearing this name pronounced the
lovers exchanged terrified glances, for
it was that of a notorious bandit chief
tain, who, espousing the British cause
at the outbreak Of the Revolution, had
devastated the entire Shawangunk re-
gion with his band of robbers ever since.
Realizing that the surest way of engage
ing the sympathies of such a man was
to acknowledge himself an outlaw,
Robin no longer hesitated to reveal the
truth.
eff you are indeed the renowned
leader, Claudius Smith," he said, 81
am sure you will befriend me. Ny name
is Edward Robin, and I have lust
escaped from the Goshen Jail, where
have been confined for many long
months on a false accusation. With the
assistance of this honest girl. i" he con-
tinued, with a wave of the hand toward
Polly, 81 succeeded in making nv
escape tonight. We are on our way to
get married, Mr.. Smith, and I trust
you will not detain us longer +" E.-
During this little speech the face Of
the Tory chieftain expressed amaze
ment, admiration and satisfaction by
turns, and when Robin had finished he
grasped him warmly by the hand.
I "Ye're a lad after my own heart,
sir!'' he exclaimed warmly. ga young
ster who has the pluck not only to break
Jail, but to make off with his iailer's
darter commands my respect I'll not
only help ye to marry yer sweetheart,
my lad, but I'll protect ye from the law
as we'll
Robin thanked him fervently, and
was on the point of assisting Polly into
the chaise again when the Tory inter-
posed. j