Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1905 — When Hearts Were Brave, and True [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

When Hearts Were Brave, and True

CHAPTER IV. n» WHICH A NOTORIOUS CHARACTER 18 INTRODUCED. Fully believing the fellow to be one of a party of pursuers sent to recapture him, Edward Roblin was overcome by despair. If he had been alone, he wonld not have hesitated to take a desperate chance of escape by attempting to ride him down, but Polly’s presence rendered snch a course impossible. He would vvillingly have risked his own life, but felt that be had no right to endanger hers. So throwing the reins upon the horse’s back and raising his arms above his head to show that he was unarmed he called out to the man: “Don't shoot! I’ll give up!” At this the stranger lowered his rifle, and advancing to the side of the chaise said gruffly! “Ye’ve kept me waiting a long time for this eharnce, Joe Westbrook, but I’ve got ye at larst. ” Roblin looked down at him bewilderedly. “Come!” continued the speaker in peremptory tones. “Out with ye! I’ve had my eye on that chestnut nag of yer’n for a long time, and now I mean to take it. ” Realizing that it would be useless to parley, Roblin leaped out upon the ground and then assisted-his companion to alight. “It’s pretty hard on me, my friend,” he said bitterly, “to 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 ccmplain. ” The man turned toward him in astonishment. “Why, blarst my eyes!” he exclaimed. “Ye’re not Joe Westbrook after all.” “I never claimed to be,” answered the young man. “Then who be ye?” “A poor fellow whom you would assist, if you had a heart, ’ ’ Polly interposed warmly. The man turned to her with an amused chuckle. “And what may pretty Polly Westbrook be adoing up here in the mountains along with a stranger and her father's nag?” he asked gayly. The girl made no answer. “Oh, I reckon I understand yer case, my gal,” he continued. “Ye’re running away with this lad to git married. Why it’s quite romantic, I declare!” While speaking he looked from one to the other with an amused, patronizing air, and then went on: “Well, Claudius Smith is not the kind of man to part true lovers, specially when their courting is objectionable to a mortal enemy.” Claudius Smith! On hearing this name pronounced the lovers exchanged terrified glances, for it was that of a notorious bandit chieftain, who, espousing the British cause at the outbreak of the Revolution, had devastated the entire Shawangunk region with his band of robbers ever since. Realizing that the surest way of engaging the sympathies of such a man was to acknowledge himself an outlaw, Roblin no longer hesitated to reveal the truth. “If you are indeed the renowned leader, Claudius Smith,” he said, “I am sure you will befriend me. My name is Edward Roblin, and I have just escaped from the Goshen jail, where I have been confined for many long months on a false accusation. With the assistance of this honest girl,” he continued, with a wave of the hand toward Polly, “I succeeded in making my escape tonight. We are on our way to get Mr. Smith, and I trust you will not detain us longer. ” During this little speech the face of the Tory chieftain expressed amazement, admiration and satisfaction by turns, and when Roblin bad finished he grasped him warmly by the hand. “Ye’re a lad after my own heart, sir !” he exclaimed warmly. “A youngster 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 well. ” Roblin thanked him fervently, and was on the point of assisting Polly into the chaise again when the Tory interposed. “Not so fast, my lad,” he said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Ye must remember that ye : re now an outlaw and not safe away from my protection. If I let ye drive off now, ye’ll certainly be captured, for Joe Westbrook will raise the country rcund to bring back his runaway darter. So ye’d better join my band, lad, and live secure in the mountains.” ■ •- Roblin hesitated. He fully realized the truth of the outlaw’s words and appreciated the dangers that threatened him. As an escaped prisoner he knew that he must henceforth lead the life of a fugitive notwithstanding that he was innocent of crime. As circumstances had made him an outlaw why not accept his fate ? On the other hand, consideration for Polly nrged him to pursue a different course. So after a brief period of reflection he replied to the bandit in these words: “I thank you for your offer, Mr. Smith, but I am bound in honor to marry this girl; therefore I 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 ye love this young spark, Polly Westbrook, ye’ll urge him to do as I say. Remain here with me, and I’Ujwe

that ye’re married by a parson. Then ye can live hero without fear of having yer husband run down by the constables and landed back in jail. I’ve more than one cozy retreat in these monntains where ye can set up housekeeping and live most romantically together. What say ye?” Fear for her lover’s safety influenced Polly to accept his advice. “I think we had better remain here, Edward, and accept Mr. Smith’s kind offer,” she said. “I know my father well, and we could hardly hope to escape him.” “What! You consent to become the bride of an outlaw?” he asked. “Rather that than have you taken from me and put back in the dreadful jail,” was the reply. The truth was that the idea of living a wild, lawless life in the mountains had appealed strongly to the imagination of the romantic girl from the first. To become the wife of a bandit seemed to her a fitting climax to her clandestine courtship and elopement, and the fact that this destiny was forced upon her was sufficient to allay all her scruples. As to Roblin he argued that he had no choice in the matter. He must either become a bandit or risk capture, separation from his sweetheart and imprisonment. The law had oppressed him, and now he would bid it defiance.

“I will join your band, Captain Smith,” he said after a pause. “Now conduct us to a place where we can rest without fear of interruption.” The bandit appeared to be greatly pleased at this decision, and immediately started up the trail. “Take the nag by the bridle and follow me,” he said. The young man obeyed, and they all three began clambering up the rough ascent, the bandit leading the way. After proceeding abont half a mile, they arrived at a little clearing, where their conductor bade Roblin unharness the horse, as they were now about to enter the w’oods. When this was done, he led them into a thicket to the right and pushed ahead so rapidly that they found it exceedingly difficult to keep up with him. At last they came to a part of the forest where the scenery was chaotic. Huge fragments of rock lay tumbled together on all sides—where they had evidently been piled by some tremendous convulsion of nature —the whole forming an impregnable stronghold in which a dozen men might bid defiance to «thousand.

“I’ve a snug little retreat up yonder,” said the bandit, pointing upward to the rocks. “Ye’ll be as safe there as birds on a nest. ’ ’ With these words he conducted them by way of a winding, dizzy ascent to a vast platform of stone, and pushing aside a screen of brambles revealed the entrance to a cavern. As it was by this time broad daylight they could see that the interior ha<d been rendered quite comfortable. The floor was covered with the furs of wild animals, deerskins were stretched on the walls, and articles of furniture, evidently procured by the bandit from some farmhouse he had pillaged, added a homelike appearance to the place. “Enter and make yerselves at home,” he said cheerily, “while I go off to fetch ye a parson. Then I'll summon the entire band to the wedding, and we’ll have a famous merrymaking.” Roblin led Polly into the cavern, while the bandit turned to go,Upon his mission. As the latter had a considerable journey to perform he pressed Joe Westbrook’s horse into his service and disappeared in the direction of the trail. When the last sounds of his departure had died away in the distance, Roblin turned to Polly and exclaimed in tones of consternation: “Alas, lam undone! Undone!” “Undone, Edward? Wbat do you mean?” k “That I have joined fortunes with the enemies of my country. Oh, why did I not think of that before?” In truth his mind had been so bewildered by his sudden encounter with the outlaw and bis eagerness to escape pursuit had been so great that it was not until he had reached a place of safety that he became calm enough to realize the significance of his act. That he, a professed patriot, should have consented to join a band of Tory outlaws appeared to him now as the basest treason. But there was a chance yet for him to escape from the abhorrent situation, and he resolved to avail himself of it. “Come, Polly!” he cried, taking her by the hand and starting toward the entrance of the cave. “I may save my honor yet if we make haste.” It was his intention to take advantage of the Tory’s absence to make his escape across the mountains, but just as he reached the platform outside he was confronted by two armed men and brought to a sudden halt. “Good day to you. friend!" said one. “The captain sent us here to guard your slumbers. " “It is too late to attempt escaping

now. Edward.” whispered Polly close to his ear. . And realizing the truth of her warning he bowed his head upon his breast and returned dejectedly into the cavern. CHAPTER V. MASQUERADING AS A TORY. Of all the Tory leaders who ravaged and terrorized the country around New York during the Revolntion Claudins i Smith was the most fearless and ag- ! gressive. He was a man of powerful physique and commanding presence, of great personal bravery and keen pene- , tration. In reviewing his tempestuous career | we find that he possessed many of the characteristics popularly attributed to ' Robin Hood. Acts of violence were offset i by deeds of charity, hatred and ferocity by gratitude and mercy, and treachery to his foes by unswerving loyalty to his king He robbed the rich to bestow upon the poor, and concluded his life in true bandit fashion—at a rope's end. From Fort Lee to Newburg he devastated the region west of the Hudson like a consuming scourge, descending into the valleys with fire and sword, and before a sufficient force could be mastered to assure his capture escaping to his strongholds in the mountains to plan another raid The topography of the country in which he resided and the times in which he lived were eminently favorable to his peculiar mode of warfare, while he found a ready market for his plunder among the British soldiers stationed at Stony Point and Fort Lee. Snch was the man whom Edward Roblin had agreed to serve. A month had passed since the outlaw’s departure for a dominie to inarrv the runaways. Yet he had not returned from his mission. His failure to keep his promise caused them the keenest anxiety, which was greatly augmented by the precautions he had taken for their safe detention during his absence, for shortly after his going a band of his outlaws arrived at the cavern under the command of his son Richard, and a close watch had been kept upon them ever since. Roblin fumed and fretted tinder this enforced captivity. “Fate is against me. Polly." he would say to the girl. “It seems that I have escaped from the Goshen jail only to be imprisoned here. It is evident that I am doomed to be a captive for the remainder of my days." To which Polly would reply. “Don’t despair, Edward. You will gain your freedom yet, and then we can get married and live happily together. In the meantime w 6 may be able to turn onr captivity to the advantage of our country. Let us pretend to sympathize with these Tories and win their confidence. Then we may be able to gain a knowledge of their designs and thwart them. ’’

To this plan her lover readily agreed, and immediately began masquerading as a Tory. He cursed the Whigs, inveighed against the Continental congress and scattered threats of wreaking vengeance upon the patriots so liberally that he soon won the admiration of his captors. Yet although they believed in his sincerity they did not relax their vigilance, and his acting was futile so far as affording him any chance to escape was concerned. In the meantime Richard Smith had taken a violent fancy to Polly. He persecuted her with his attentions, and on her giving him to understand that they were not agreeable endeavored to intimidate her with threata Toward Roblin he began to exhibit a spirit of savage jealousy. The latter did not attempt to conceal his own abhorrence of the outlaw, and it seemed likely that their enmity would result in a, fierce quarrel, when the unexpected return of Claudius Smith to the camp put a new aspect on affairs. As he appeared suddenly among his men it could be seen that his eyes were heavy with fatigue and his garments travel stained. It was evident that he had returned from a long journey. To the joyous greetings accorded him he replied with a savage scowl, grumbling “Cowards! Poltroons! To let yer captain lie so long in a rebel jail without coming to his rescue!" “What! You have been a prisoner all this while, father?" asked his son. advancing to salute him. “Aye. and would have been one still had I not employed my own wits to escape. " Then he explained how he had fallen into the hands of the Americans while on his way to fetch the parson and had been lodged in a prison at Kingston ever since. “And now. " he said wearily. "I will lie down for a wink of sleep. In the meantime.' he added, throwing a fierce glance upon his men. “do ye prepare for a raid into the valley, for I am determined to have vengeance for my wrongs. ” This threat was overheard by Polly, who did not fail to recognize its significance. It meant that the bandit chieftain was about to swoop down upon the defenseless inhabitants of the valley to plunder, ravage and burn. But upon whom wculd his vengeance fall? In what direction wonld he strike? If Bhe could only assure herself on these important questions, it might be possible to thwart his design. While she was reflecting in this wise, the bandit strode into, the cavern.

“I’ve come back without a parson, as ye see, my pretty birds, ’' he said with a grim smile, “but I'll keep my promise yet Ye must wait awhile, however, as I have more important affairs on hand.” Then, turning to Roblin, he added, “hold yerself in readiness to start out within a few hours. I intend to lead an excursion into the plain, and ye'll have a charnce to show the staff ye're made of. ’’ “Against whom do ytra intend to move?” asked Roblin. “I’ve not decided yet,” was the answer. “After I have rested I’ll hold a council of my officers, and form a plan. But why do ye ask this question?’ he asked suspiciously.

“I 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 cavern and sought a resting place in a secluded crevice of the rocks. “So there is to be a council of officers to decide upon the plans for this raid, ” mused Polly alter he had gone. “Well. I’ll make it a point to be present at the meeting and hear what the outlaws have to say. Then I will tell Edward all. and together we may be able to outwit them. ” With this idea in view she quietly, left the cavern and began carelessly promenading the platform outside. She observed with a feeling of satisfaction that the outlaws were so busily engaged in making preparations for their excursion that they accorded her but a passing notice. Some were examining the locks of their muskets, others were preparing cartridges, while others again were grouped around a grindstone awaiting their turn to sharpen their sabers. Richard Smith was sitting apart from the rest cleaning a huge horse pistol, and knowing that he would be present at the council Polly determined not to let him out of her view. Several hours passed by. and she was beginning to grow- weary of waiting when Claudins Smith appeared among his outlaws and commanded the officers to follow him. Then he led the way to the place he had fixed upon for the council. As this was in a part of the rocks outside the camp, Polly feared that she would not be able to reach it unobserved. Watching her opportunity, however, she managed to steal away unseen and by making a wide circuit to reach the place of conference unmolested. Fortunately for her. the Tory officers had chosen for their meeting place a 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 suspected. Glancing through an opening between two bowlders, she observed that Claudius Smith was talking eagerly 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 cruelly, while the ferocity of his countenance was heightened by a 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 a rich haul this time, lads, and I know just whar to make it. There’s no use wearing ourselves out on a wild goose chase for plunder when enough may be got by one bold stroke to enrich us all. Now. while I was in jail at Kingston a 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 s’posing the old miser won’t tell?” asked Richard Smith, with a growl. “I’ll find means to make him blab, my son," his father answered grimly. “I reckon he’ll come to terms quick enough after I’ve stretched his neck a bit." This answer seemed to remove all doubts from his son’s mind, for after a brief pause he inquired: “But what is this miser’s name, dad? If we don’t know that, we are likely to fail, after all. for there’s many a rebel farmer living near Shawangunk mountain.” Polly bent forward eagerly to catch the chieftain’s answer. For a moment the miser's nameseemed to have escaped his memory. Then a gleam of sudden recollection shot from his eyes, and he cried out triumphantly “Caleb Sharker’s the varlet’s name, my boy! Blarst me, if I warn’t near forgetting it!” Without waiting to hear more Polly stole back to the cavern. To Be Continued.

Come to The Democrat office or all kinds of job printing.

He was confronted by two armed men.