The Four Canadian Highwaymen; Or, The Robbers of Markham Swamp

horse to a tree, and then bidding Roland follow, made

hores, or a tangle of underbrush; and once his forehead struck a sturdy limb with such fo

llist, are you try

touching that matter. But I am not

oes of the city and level field are migh

ed. 'But I have eaten nothing since yesterday save some beech

ou wou

es

Roland in

?' He likewise inform

e matter clear enough now to our hero. This ruffian had not saved him because he had shot Ham, but because he wanted an addition to his for

arrangement was successful, and the two got over the ground at a rapid pace. Every maze and tree in that dismal swamp seemed to be known to the guide; and he swerved t

reach you here by the aid of bloodhounds; they fil

t it didn't turn out profi

you elu

nts and caught the intruding idiots. Out of a pac

abulary ever so

They then returned and declared that the story of the swamp being infested was all fudge. A couple of years passed, during which many a bloated butcher and cattle dealer was relieved of his purse; and a few who w

e recital; but the robbe

ve stolen the girl, taken the money, and cracked the few numb-skulls; so they reso

hat when they assembled at Reynold's inn, of the force of twenty-one that entered the swamp, only nine returned. They waited till the morrow for their missing comrades, but they came not. Yet not a cry was heard, though there was no wind among the leaves, and when murders are done the people say, "you year shrill screams." Neither was a pistol shot hea

very far astray! The "hollow swamp" was almost like an inspiration. Well, youngster, we have been frequently visited by posses since, but for the greater part we permit them to roam our labyrinths unmolested. Now and again, however, one, or two, or three in

e became changed upon the approach of the captain; but they could not conceal their astonishment a

mily. He pinked his man to-day in a duel, and was clearing of

us looking ruffian with small eyes, bushy eye-brows, and

we will ask for it,' the captain observed,

a famous blackguard in his own particular line. Yon respectable flaxen gentleman,' pointing to a villainous looking person with a greenish skin, of flaxen hair, and an unsteady, treac

king scoundrel

oung man, repentance, repentance with us here in nature's sanctuary, where the grandeur of God's works, without any of the disfigurement of man, is all that remain

stowing a name upon him. They called him Lifter. We have slightly varied the name, took a small grammatical liberty with it, so to speak. We call him The Lifter. Let me, Mr. Gray, introduce you to The Lifter.' Roland bowed with the same air of haughtiness and disgust. But now that he was among the unholy crew he felt that he must make the best of the sit

rtion of our labours,' the chief said, 'This

y; and Roland imagined that he perceived behind the forwardness of her manner a kind of reckless despair; that indescribable sort of vivacity which arises when hope, and honour, and everything that is dear are dead,

uld judge of the varying expressions in her face-to call back within her a thousand memories long dead; to bring before her mind again a world w

s was Joe; and a hideous light g

ll; but she seemed well content with the vile lot to which she had fallen. Indeed, when Roland saw her flami

hideous old woman, with eyes like a rattlesnake, and draggled hair coloured like the moss upon an aged fir, stood by the spit, which every few moments she turned. Silent Poll had some lard in a cup, and a small quantity of t

ly potatoes, and other vegetables, together with the juicy haunch

ed, seeming to sink directly into the earth. In a few seconds

and he observed that they were surrounded by dense tangled forest, with

uilding a fire at night in this wood. Well, such an indiscretion we are not guilty of when the

hey not carr

ing here in the dark is about the last thing in this wide world that the guardians o

ost as freely as the men. After Nancy had quaffed a couple of horns, the melancholy which the new-comer had a little while before noticed so plainly in her face disappeared; and she began to bestow marked attentions u

y turned and looked upon him with flashing eyes; and ferocious and bloody as the man was, she

will you drink good-will a

ith pleasure.' But before he had swallowed his sip Joe had risen from his seat and reached his side; and without word or warning dealt him a severe blow on the head. Rolan

elf, and was upon his feet again. At first he reeled and staggered, though not from brandy; and putting his hand to his hip he drew his knife. Roland saw the reflection of the glittering blade flash upon the front of the sombre forest; but he

ations, youngster. You are the right stuff; just such metal as we want here. As for you, Joe, you got what you dese

In his eye there was no room for pity or remorse; nor was there a feature in his face that could harbour a generous or kindly impulse; or one of honour. His hair was dark, but tinged with grey; and the cruelties of the man's career had left wide and horrible furrows extending from the corners of his mouth into his cheek. It would be too generous to say that

w from the smouldering embers. A deep gloom was everywhere; but it was not darker than the shadow that had fallen upon his life. Suddenly the gates of the dusk seemed to open, and a flood of silvery light fell upon the world. Looking, he perceived that the clouds were breaking, and through a rift in the pall the moonli

ination. Why could he not, after the lapse of a few months, disguise himself, go boldly out of the wood and cross the frontier? In a republican city he could engage in some honourable occupation

helter from the storm. One by one his companions seemed to sink into the bowels of the earth,

ed,' the fellow said in a voice as

earth does your

,' returned the s

emed a cavern. The air was not foul, as one might suppose, but there was an earthy smell which at first was disagreeable enough to the nostrils of our hero. Taking a taper, which was left burning below, The Lifter led the way

hat came over Roland as he entered this underground lair, and the feeling of pain and shame at the