The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-17

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 board He was pleading pit
eously for mercy as they forced him to
accompany them to their chief. With
blows. curses and insults the rufilans
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 windows.
Looking down from this coign Of
vantage. no 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 it was impossible to make out
All at once the bandit shouted angrily
"Blarst my eyes. what q stubborn
fool ys be! II yen not tell where the
gold is hid. why. then. ye must hang,
that's all. Then. turning to his men.
he asked quickly, "Have any Of 70 got
a roper"
The suggestion acted upon the pas
sions of the ruffians like spark applied
to gunpowder.
"Hang the REBEL Swing him upl"
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 it and
thrown over the prisoners head. Then
he was hurried beneath the apple tree.
Snow, my lads, swing him upl">
commanded the Tory chieftain.
An indescribable uproar followed
these words. Nsblin could see nothing
but struggling mass Of men surging
around the prisoner, whose body pres
emily shot up above their heads, 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
stairs.
Instantly divining that some skulking
Tories had left their comrades to come
hither and plumber in secret, he ran to
the head Of the flight and, picking up
his saber, awaited their appearance
through the opening. He was just in
time, for the next instant the first Of
the bandits reached the top of the steps,
He was in the act Of passing into the
attic when he received such rap on
the sconce from Robins saber that he
plunged headlong to the floor 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 hasty retreat.
He heard them running down rapidly
through the house and knew that they
had gone to bring others to their assist
ance. Although he realized that he had |
no hope Of successfully withstanding
the odds that would be brought into
requisition, be determined to 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 regained her senses
"Where am n" she moaned feebly.
Robin fastened to her side.
"Be still, Zadiel" he whispered, bend
ing over her. "Your safety depends
upon it. It must not be known that
you have taken refuge here"
eyes, yes, know now" she moan
ed sadly. 1.-THE Tories have broken into
the house. They are after my husbands
gold. Oh, poor, poor Caleb II they de-
prive him Of his money, 1t will kill
him"