Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-12-13

IudSKS Lney all put Oh anu inc UdttSiCu
top hat that Hockey wore above his,
the pistols that they loaded and the
brace of horse pistols handed to him
self; the little conversation on the way,
the startling of an old man kangaroo
that shone an instant gray and glossy
; In the moonlight, then doomed and
bounded into silence and the shades;
of all such things, in fact to the final
plan Of attack and division Of VII
lainy, made almost within sight Of the
devoted homestead.
At the time, however, though Tom
listened (as he thought attentively and
was much consulted in the strength OF
his present knowledge Of the place, he
grasped very little beyond his own in
etructions. He was to show them the
overseer's hut Ghe night Waterman
| would already be on their side or
dead), then he was to station himself
! beneath the great bell and to ring 1t
AYuriously so soon as Ginger was haul
"a out and his hut set well on fire.
Com was also to answer to the name
4 Francisco and to affect a foreign
accent. because the Italians terrible
reputation had been the best part OF
him.
Tire bell and the fire were calculated
tOtempt both Sullivans forth unarmed
At all costs those two were to be taken
alive. "And thenw said the little man.
poking Wall-eye in the ribs with his
Look.
"What them inquired Tom.
eve shall do unto them as we've all
been done by"
"Rut you were never here yourself"
"Next door to It," returned Hockey
Simpson. 81 was at Strachan's, and
this old tyrant ordered me my fifties.
Well see how he likes them himself
just for a start"
81 wish 1t was Strachan's we were
coming to-" muttered Tom, with fash
of his former passion.
"It'll be his turn next"
"But when?
"Tomorrow-if all goes WELL"
"Then you don't mean to stop at
Castle SULLIVAN" cried Tom, amazed.
you'll see," rejoined Hockey, land
80 shall l. There's no saying where
may stop with seventy convicts at my
back"
Seventy convicts! That was the
rough number at Castle Sullivan.
Then what was this to which the little
man was leading them? No petty rob-
berry, after all A grand rebellion in
stead. Toms heart lightened at the
thought. He gazed at the confident
little man, looking more like monkey
dressed up as a highwayman and
perched upon a horse, and he felt that
he could have followed so spirited a
leader with all the spirit he himself
had left but for the thing that had
been done before his eyes that night.
There was no more, however, to be
said. They were at the farm.
At the gate (not the gate Of former
scenes; this one lay east beyond the
stables) all dismounted but the little
as generals do. The others led their
horses to the stables. and, while Wall
eye stalled them, Tom showed Slipper
and the black his old lair. Another
convict had succeeded him as groom,
and in a few moments young Brummy
! was dragged forth by Peter Pindar.
$50 far from Offering any resistance,
however, the obliging youth at once
but himself at the bushrangers' dis
losal. His zeal and enthusiasm au-
ured well for the other seventy in
be huts. Under his eager guidance
e Waterman, Roberts, was immedi-
Nelly captured in his sleep beneath the
u, whereupon that official Joined tho
emy with no more demur than
lmmy. Indeed, he went the length
shaking hands with the supposed
Ian and personally thanking him
having come at last
,okey on his horse cut this profess
short and drove both prisoners be-
Aim toward the overseer's hut,
Tom had already pointed out
after was now left in charge OF
ELL rope, with "a last order not to
until the hut was well ablaze.
thought he was gov'nor| Tom
Il Roberts remark.
he less you think the BETTER" re-
ID Hockey. "But about this over
Of yours--a ticket Of leave, I'M
tand. True man, eh?" by which
n Hockey meant its opposite.
doubt It," said Roberts.
Then all the worse for him!
myers hut was but few yards
IN the bell Tom heard them enter
held his breath. The door was
III, and then he heard no more.
4 the main building all was dark
still. He watched 1t keenly, with
ears, as it were, upon the hut be-
I'D. At last the door reopened, and
theard the striking Of lucifers, ac-
Spanied by another sound, as Of
iething being dragged from the hut
/ looked round, and 1t was Gingers
b. The overseer lay upon it, bound
gagged.
m drew a deep breath. He had
ected worse.
rummy and Roberts were now dis
ched to the convicts' huts to tell the
h at the right moment what was
happening and how they would all be
free men within an hour If they abb
ktained from interference, but dead
hen If they did not. Then the black
Kept up close to the palisade, while
Hockey rode to one side and the other
70 hid behind trees. Meanwhile the
terseer's hut was beginning to crackle,
uH ut once Tom saw the shadow
ksan. out toward the palisade
HvlsrirIo red.