Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-07-26

peremptory tones. "Out with yel 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
parley, Robin leaped out upon the
ground and then assisted his companion
to alight
"It's pretty hard on me. my friend,
he said bitterly, Ito 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. y
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 YET"
"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 a stranger and her
fathers nag?" he asked gayly.
The girl made no answer.
"Oh. / 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. l de-
clareI"
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 courting is objection
able to mortal enemy"
Claudius Smith
On hearing this name pronounced the
lovers exchanged terrified glances, for
it was that Of 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 engag-
ing the sympathies of such man was
to acknowledge himself an outlaw,
Robin no longer hesitated to reveal the
truth.
"If you are indeed the renowned
leader. Claudius Smith, he said, 81
am sure you will befriend me. My name
is Edward Robin, and l have just
escaped from the Goshen Jail. where I
have been confined for many long
months on false accusation. With the
assistance of this honest girl. he con-
tinued. with a wave of the hand toward
Polly, II succeeded in making my
escape tonight. We are on our way to
get married. Mr.. Smith. and l trust
you will not detain US longer. -
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.
"Ye're a lad after my own heart,
sirl" he exclaimed warmly. "a young
ster who has the pluck not only to break
Jail, but to make off with his jailer'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.
mot so fast. my lad" he said. lay
ing a hand on his shoulder "Ye must
remember that ye're now an outlaw
and not safe away from my protection.
If let ye drive off now, yell certainly
be captured, for Joe Westbrook will
raise the country round to bring back
his runaway darter. So ye'd better join
my band. lad and live secure in the
mountains.
Robin hesitated. He fully realized
the truth of the outlaws words and ap-
preciated the dangers that threatened
him. AS an escaped prisoner he knew
that he must henceforth lead the life of
fugitive notwithstanding that he was
innocent of crime. AS circumstances
had made him an outlaw why not ac-
cept his fate? On the other hand, con-
sideration for Polly urged him to pur-
sue a different course So after brief
period of reflection he replied to the
bandit in these words;
II thank you for your offer. Mr.
Smith. but | am bound in honor to
marry this girl; therefore | must refuse
it and trust to my own resources.
Without paying the slightest regard
to his refusal the Tory turned to the
girl, saying
"If We love this young spark. Polly
Westbrook. yell urge him to do az |
say. Remain here with me, and I'll see
that ye're married by a parson. Then
ye can live here without fear of having
yer husband run down by the consta-
bles and landed back in Jail. I've more
than one cozy retreat in these noun
tains where ye can set up housekeeping
and live most romantically together.
What say ye?'
Fear for her lovers safety influenced
Polly to accept his advice.
II think we had better remain here,
Edward. and accept Mr.. Smiths kind
offer. she said. Il know my father
we'll and we could hardly hope to es'
cape him.
What! You consent to become the
bride of an outlawY" he asked.