Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-26

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CHAPTER TX
CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
We left Edward Robin mounting
guard at the head Of the attic staira
He could see lights moving about In the
house below him and hear tho hoarse
cries Of the bandits NJ 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 10 their chief. With
blows. curses and insults the ruffians
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 windowa
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 il was impossible TO make ont
All at once the bandit shouted sngrily
"Blarst my eyes. what asubbnrn
fool ye bel II yen not tell where the
gold is hid. why. then. ye must hang.
that's all Then turning 10 his men
be asked quickly. ''Have any Of ye got
. ropef
The suggestion acted upon the pas
sions Of the ruffiAns like spark applied
to gunpowder.
Hang the rebeli 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 IL and
thrown over the prisoner head Then
be was hurried beneath the apple tree.
Now. my lads swing him upr
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 heada 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
stairR
Instantly divining that some skulking
Tories had left their comrades ~ come
hither and plunder in secret. he ran 70
the head Of the fight and. picking up
his sabcr. awaited their appearance
through the opening. He was just In
time. for the next instant the nrst Of
the bandits reached the top Of the stepa
He was in the act Of passing into the
attic when he received such = rap on
the sconce from Robins saber thnt he
plunged hesdlong TO the door 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 hxsty retreat
He beard them running down rapidly
through the house and knew that they
had gon. TO bring others TO their assist
ance Although be realized that he had
no hope Of successfully withstanding
the odds that would be brought into
requisition. he determined 70 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 resained her senses
"Where am II" abe moaned feebly
Robin hastened to her aide.
"Be still. Zadiel' be whispered. bend
ing over her "Your safety depends
upon il. II must not be known that
you have taken refuge here.
"Yes. yes. know now. she moan
ed sadly. "The Tories have broken into
the house They are after my husband .
gold. Oh. poor. poor Caleb II they de-
prive him of his money. it viii kill
him.
Suddenly the stairs reeounded to the
tread Of many footsteps accompanied
BY confused shouts and the rattle Of
eteel 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 a pack Of hungry wolves
When they reached the bottom Of the
fight. he drew back into the shadow
and waited
Presently . flaming torch was pro-
truded through the door. followed BY a
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 q