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

against whom do you intend to
mover asked Robin.
"I've not decided yet." was the an.
swer. AFTER ! have rested III hold q
council Of my officers. and form plan
But why do ye ask this question
be asked suspiciously.
II don't know. I'm sure, was the
Indifferent answer. "for I'm not at all
interested in the matter"
Apparently satisfied with this reply.
Captain Smith withdrew from the cav
ern and sought resting place in So
cluded crevice Of the rocks
$50 there Is to be council Of officers
to decide upon the plans for this raid.
unused Polly after he had gone "Well.
III make 1t point to be present at the
meeting and hear what the outlaws
have TO say. Then win tell Edward
oil, and together we may be able to out
wit them.
With this idea In view she quietly
left the cavern and began carelessly
promenading the platform outside. She
observed with feeling Of satisfaction
that the outlaws were 20 busily engaged
in making preparations for their excur-
sion that they accorded her but pass
ing notice. Some were examining the
locks of their muskets others were pre-
pairing cartridges. while others again
were grouped around grindstone
awaiting their turn to sharpen their
saberx Richard Smith was sitting
apart from the rest cleaning huge
horse pistol. and knowing that he would
be present at the council Polly deter
mined not TO let him out Of her view.
Several hours passed by. and she was
beginning to grow weary Of waiting
when Claudius Smith appeared among
his outlaws and commanded the officers
10 follow him. Then he led the way TO
the place he had fixed upon for the
council As this was in part Of the
rocks outside the camp. Polly feared
that she would not be able TO reach 1t
unobserved. Watching her opportunity,
however. she managed to steal away
unseen and by making wide circuit
to reach the place Of conference unmo-
Tested
Fortunately for her. the Tory officers
had chosen for their meeting place
kind Of basin surrounded on all sides by
huge bowlders This enabled her to
creep within hearing and TO watch
them without her presence being sus-
pected. Glancing through an opening
between two powders. she observed
that Claudius Smith was talking eager
" to his officers. who were grouped
around him with an expression Of close
attention upon their evil faces.
The cheeks Of the bandit captain
were flushed, and his eyes glittered
cruelty, while the ferocity Of his coun-
tenance was heightened by livid scar
which extended diagonally across it
from his forehead TO his chin. He was
explaining the plan Of his intended
campaign. and this Is what Polly heard
him say:
"I'm out for rich haul this time,
lads. and / know just whar to make 1t
There's no use wearing ourselves out
on wild goose chase for plumber when
enough may. be got by one bold stroke
to enrich rs all Now. while | was in
Jail at Kingston fellow prisoner told
me Of a rich old miser who lives near
Shawangunk mountain. He said the
old rascal had thousands Of pounds
concealed somewhere about his house,
and it's my intention to seize him and
make him show me the hiding place.
"But sposing the old miser won't
tellf' asked Richard Smith. with
growl
"I'll find means 10 make him blab.
my son, his father answered grimly.
81 reckon he'll come 10 terms quick
enough after I've stretched his neck .
bit
This answer seemed to remove all
doubts from his sons mind. for after
brief pause he inquired: But what is
this miser's name. dadi II We don't
know that. we are likely TO fail. after
all. for there's many rebel farmer liv-
ing near Shawangunk mountain.
Polly bent forward eagerly to catch
the chieftain's = answer.
For moment the miser's name
seemed to have escaped his memory
Then a glsam Of sudden recollection
shot from his eyes. and he cried out tri
umphantly
"Caleb Shurker's the varlet's name.
my boyl Blarst me- il warn't near
forgetting it'll
Without waiting TO hear more Polly
stole back to the cavern
(To BIZ oosrxUED.