Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1905 — When Hearts Were Brave and True. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

When Hearts Were Brave and True.

JOHN P RITTER

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CHAPTER VIII. POLLY'S DKSPKItATK BIDS. Shortly after the departure of the bandits Polly put on her cloak and bonnet and stole cautiously ont of the cavern. Two Tories were mounting guard on the platform outside, but they merely raised their eyes as she passed them and made ho attempt to stop her It was evident that so far Richard Smith had proved as good as his word and that he guards were acting under his instructions.

The sun had not yet sunk behind the mountains when she reached the clearing where the horse was awaiting her. She found the animal tethered to a tree near by and. taking it by the bridle, led it through the bushes to the trail. There she mounted and proceeded as fast as the rugged way would allow toward the Valley. At first the necessity of advancing cautiously was a sore trial to her patience. ‘‘Oh. why can I not ride faster?” she muttered. “The Tories are already on their way to plunder the Shurkers. and I have not a second to spare if I would bring them assistance. ”

Then she remembered that the band had started off without their supper and that it was not likely they would attack tbeir victims until late in the evening

“They will stop to eat.” she mused, “and will undoubtedly delay their attempt until late at night. At all events I will soon reach the foot of the mountains and can then ride as fast as 1 like.” This reflection served to console her. and she became reconciled to her snaillike pace. As she was a skillful horsewoman the steepness of the descent, which at times was dangerously abrupt, did not appall her in the least. The animal she rode was accustomed to the rough trails of the mountains and clambered down the precipitous incline with sure and cautious strides.

Twilight was beginning to fall when she reached the foot of the range. There

she turned into a highway that branched off from the trail-and nrged her horse to a gallop. As Goshen was too far distant to admit of riding there for snccor she determined to sconr the roads in the neighborhood of the mountains and aronse the whole region to assist her. Bnt as the country here was but sparsely settled she realized that she must ride like the wind. “Come, old fellow.” she said, bending forward and patting the glossy neck of her steed; “you most do your best for me tonight. ” Then she drew a whip from the saddle and plied it to the animal’s flanks. And now began that furious ride which is still preserved in the traditions of the region. The gallant horse responded nobly to Polly’s urging and dashed forward at increased speed. On. on they flew, through forests, fields and swamp landa up hill and down, trailing a cloua of dnst behind and awaking the echoes in the neighboring hills w’ith the sound of hoof beats. For mile after mile thiß furious gait was maintained, and yet not the sign of a human habitation appeared along the way. Polly began to despair. “Can it be possible. ” she thonght. “that no people inhabit this country T’

Just then she arrived at a turn in the road and uttered a little cry of delight. For a few rods ahead could be seen a cluster of dwellings, with smoke curling up from their chimneys The buildings were only log huts, but this in itself was encouraging, for it indicated that their owners were stout hearted pioneers, who would hasten to respond to her call. As Polly galloped furiously into the settlement she aroused all the dogs to yelping, so that when she drew rein the inhabitants came running from their houses alarmed by the dieturbance they raised.

“What is it. gal?” cried a burly frontiersman excitedly. “Have the Injuns come over the mountains ?”

“No, not that,” panted Polly, “but something far worse. Oh. if yon be true men arm yourselves and mount yonr horses at once, for a neighbor stands in need of your aid. ” By this time eight sturdy fellows were gathered round her. with a circle of gaping women and children in the background. “A neighbor in trouble?” asked their spokesman. “Then tell us his plight, lass, and we’ll stand by him. ”

“He's to be robbed and murdered. ” cried Polly. “Oh. make haste or it will be too late.”

Then, seeing the men still looked questioning]/ at her. she added “Claudius Smith and hia gang are on their way to Caleb Shurker’a to make him surrender his hoard. *’ This announcement had an electrifying effect upon the men. “Claudins Smith on another of his raids, d’ye say? The robber I The murderer I” And with these exclamations of rage they hurried away to prepare themselves for action. Accustomed as they were to respond to sudden alarms, the men of this border settlement were not long in making ready for the road. Within a few minutes after the messenger’s arrival they were prepared to ride to Caleb Shurker’s rescue, and, placing herself at their head. Polly continued her journey. She had now eight men with which to oppose 20 outlaws. Conscious of the inadequacy of this force, she turned to the leader of the frontiersmen and asked as she galloped by his side: “Do you know where we can find other true men to join us?”

“Let me think a bit!” he answered, knitting' his brows. “There’s Simon Bevier. that lives three miles from here, near the Goshen pike, and there’s Luke Harding, about a mile further cn, and then ye’ll find no living on til ye strikes Hasbrouck’s. on tfie Minnisiuk trail, whar thar’s old man Jones and his sons, Tom and "Isaac. ”

“And do you think these men will join us?” asked Polly eagerly. “To be sure they will.” was the response. “Then do you lead the way,” she cried, “and ride at full speed, for time is pressing. ” So the frontiersman placed himself at the head of the galloping troop and called upon his comrades to quicken their speed. After following the road for about a mile they branched off into the woods and disappeared among the trees By this time the night was far advanced and they lost sight of one another in the darkness; but. with an instinct that was unerring, the frontiersmen made their way rapidly along a winding bridle path until they emerged upon the Goshen turnpike close to the house of Simon Bevier.

Having enlisted this stanch patriot in their company, they dashed on once more nntil they came to the log cabin of Luke Harding. While they were awaiting his preparations to join them their leader called one of the men to his side and said “Ride oter to Hasbronck’s. Seth, as fast as ye can and tell the old man that he’s wanted. Tell him to fetch the two lads along, and then take the short cut through the woods to the Shawangnnk road, where ye’ll find us awaiting ye at the spring. ” Seth listened to these instructions intently and then dashed off upon his errand at a furions gallop. Shortly afterward Luke Harding appeared upon the road, mounted on a spirited mare and armed to the teeth. As he took his place in the company their leader called out “Now. my lads, forward!”

And. digging his heals into the flanks of his charger, he turned back along the turnpike and led the way toward the place of rendezvous. It was fortunate for Polly that the horse Richard Smith had provided her was possessed with great powers of endurance. for the pace was so terrific that otherwise she must have dropped behind her companions. For mile after mile they never slackened speed, and when at last they arrived at the spring appointed as the meeting place their horses were well nigh exhausted. While waiting for the Hasbroncks to come np, however, the poor beasts had a chance to recuperate and on resuming the desperate race were almost as fresh as when thev started.

Now. it chance-1 that Polly had observed the remains of the Tories’ supper in the bushes around the spring and the hoof prints of their horses where they had stooped to drink from it. These telltale signs informed her that Claudius Smith had already passed that way. and realizing that only speed conld avail now she dashed once more into the lead.

“Wake up, friends.” she shouted excitedly. “Ride for your very lives. The Tories are ahead of us. and we’ve not a Second to spare. ” Her companions greeted these words with suppressed exclamations of approval and bending low over their horses' necks swept after her like a whirlwind.

Did they arrive at the Sharkers’ in time? The sequel will show. CHAPTER IX. caught in a tbap.

We left Edward Roblin mounting guard at the head of the attic stairs. He could see lights moving about in the house below him and hear the hoarse cries of the bandits as they ran from chamber to chamber in search of plunder.

Presently a terrified scream informed him that they had discovered the hiding place of old Caleb Sharker and were dragging him forth to make him surrender his hoard. He was pleading piteously for mercy as they forced him to accompany them to their chief. With blows, curses and insults the ruffians drove him before them until they reached the lawn in front of the dwelling where Clandius Smith was awaiting them.

Roblin now left his post and approached one at the dormer windows. Looking down from this coign of vantage, he deocried the shadowy forms of the outlaws grouped around the person of their chief, who was standing under the branches of an apple tree sternly questioning his quaking prisoner. He could hear the hoarse bass of ths 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 a stubborn fool ye be! If ye’ll not tell where the gold is bid, why, then, ye must hang, that’s all.” Then turning to his men, he gsked qtufckly. “Have any of ye got a rope ? ,v The suggestion acted upon the passions of the ruffians like a spark applied to gunpowder. “Hang the rebel! Swing him npl” they yelled, crowding aronnd the prisoner and shaking their fists in his face. One of them ran off quickly and soon returned with a stout cord. A running noose was made at one end of it and thrown over the prisoner’s bead. Then he was hurried beneath the apple tree. “Now, my lads, swing him npl” commanded the Tory chieftain. An indescribable uproar followed these words. Roblin could see nothing but a struggling mass of men surging around the prisoner, whose body presently shot up above their heads, dangling at the end of a 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 plunder 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 the top of the steps. Ho was in the act of passing into the attic when he received such a rap on the sconce from Roblin’s 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, Roblin observed that they hesitated, consulted together and then beat a hasty retreat He heard them running down rapidly through the house and knew that they had gone to bring others to their assistance. Although he realized that he had no hope of successfully withstanding the odds that would be brought into requisition, he determined to defend Zadie to the last He fully believed that the outcome of the struggle would be death. Nevertheless this did not deprive him of his courage. While he was waiting the return of the Tories the girl regained her senses “Where am I?” she moaned feebly. Roblin hastened to her side. “Be still. Zadie!” he whispered, bending over her. “Your safety depends upon it. It must not be known that yqn have taken refuge here.” 4 “Yes, yes, I know now,” she moaned sadly. “The Tories have broken into the house. They are after my husband’s gold. Oh, poor, poor Caleb! If they deprive him of his money, it will kill him."

Suddenly the stairs resounded to the tread of many footsteps, accompanied by confused shouts and the rattle of steel against steel. The Tories were approaching. Some of them were carrying torches whose light already penetrated the darkness of the loft.

Hastening back to his post, Roblin conld see them hurrying toward the stairs like a pack of hungry wolves. When they reached the bottom of the flight, he drew back into the shadow and waited.

Presently a flaming torch was pro : traded through the door, followed by a ferocious face searching the darkness. Roblin swung his saber and the rash intruder fell backward down the steps, carrying two comrades with him. The crash of their fall was followed by a

few seconds of profound silence, dnring which Roblin stood over the opening with uplifted weapon, ready to strike down the next Tory who might be bold enough to show his head. Then the stillness was broken by a hoarse voice, mingling strange oaths with direfnl threats. {Concluded Next Week.]

She led the animal through the bushes to the trail.

A flaming torch was protruded through the door.