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

obbers were present; and the Rev. Mr. Jonas thanked God for the repast, and begged that his br

any plasters. The face of the captain was as dark as night; and he did not for many minutes sp

d, 'to go out for adventure among men, like

er destiny that she came off so easily,' Rol

'that while you are afraid to face men, y

ussion by saying that you are a liar. I will merely say that, at all events,

against the bluff face of the boulder. The chief did not reply or make any demonstration of violence as they all evidently imagined that he would. Murfrey looked meaningly at his cap

or of any one, or of all, your bloody band. I seek no quarrel with anybody; my great wish is to avoid quarrel; but as you choose, one and all, to

ve a different matter on hand now. Take this rope and f

ent was in store for him, and his face grew dea

awaiting further instructions. But the chief had a lecture t

pointing to Roland, 'but my son interfered in a way that you all know. Now I am glad that my mother did not succeed, for I have an object in keeping this yo

ted The Lifter to stand 'plumb under.' Murfrey now tightened

ion of one of the great virtues,' chimed

e ground. Our hero had looked on, a silent spectator, while this brutal act progressed, lamenting his powerlessness to prevent it. But when the robbers

and suffers this punishment.' He had no sooner made up his

him there?' The captain did not

But what is it of your business

e towards the tree. Facing in such a manner that the entire gang was in front of him he drew his pistol, and by the aid of his le

shoot.' Murfrey stood irresolute, then moved a step nearer to t

disposed to assist, he turned away and joined the group. With one blow of his kn

etch had fainted from his suffering; indeed, f

a glass of bran

f as if to ask his permi

rn in the affair

n The Lifter's mouth, Roland poured in about half a glass of brandy, which in a few seconds bro

e made me your fri

oman had begun to s

ster is to be bullied before us all. Is there no one h

dy m

screamed, 'to allow a thing

ent let nothing further be said about this business.' The old woman subsided with a scowl; and Murfrey's eyes gleamed like a beast who has resolved that his prey shall not escape

d in our hero's face; 'and if ever the opportunity comes

e said on that point. You sav

I did it among my friends

rn for what you consider my generosity, th

he thing be possib

asking if I did not kn

an-f other.' His eyes had sought those of the robbe

be that you ask

did not interrupt by words. 'Yes; my greatest wish is now th

hat is

t as soon as possible you will give up this life of crime, le

with a deep sigh, 'you ask

y attached to the ties of this place, to your mod

e I to leave this place? I am not so good at disguises as th

would be free to go among good men and earn your bread. It is true that you never can make thorough reparation for all the crimes to which you have been an accessory, or all the misery that you have helped to cre

at you may go free through all the dangers of your trade of blood; but there are nin

s now busy planning the abduction of some young lady, who is, so far as I can judge, a person of note. This will on

refer doeen to what you say. But do you real

ve my o

I shall be ready to leave here when you say "

bargain. Leave you

ome hours-during which they secured a

t you are to be a

N

robbery on hand to-night,

w what the

, and he has no faith in anything. His servant brings the money home, because he will not trust the banks. The Capteen does not care about entrusteen you to the keepeen of the women; so before we depart you will be fastened secur

d that the robbers made unusual preparations. Be

shall henceforth be treated as a mad dog. Go now to you

thwart you in your infamous plot. It is well that you set this watch upon me; e

ir. Some time yo

hat I defy you and declare you to be as cowardly as you are bloody and bad.' He had faced the band, holding his pistol in his hand; and he moved back

e now stood in such a manner as to have a view of the rob

xpression. Then Roland descended, entered his room, and closed the door. I

creants had emerged from the bush, the deep dark of their path was here and there parted by a shaft of silvery light. Through the tree tops a glimpse of the sky could be occasionally obtained; and althoug

ps to the stables, where the horses of the band were kept. A deaf mute cared for the horses, a man with a face so villainous looking, as to make it entirely indescribable. Standing upon th

und upon the door, and immediately the mute pushed bac

York?' and the dummy answering (for it was only t

ountry loot passed a

he captain. 'Then we are

l I s

ou think these fe

. The negro carried a heavy c

wamp has its te

devil. But as for the galoot that goes with him, I'm sure there's no sand in hi

ain's order; and immediately the

m the stables, the night was as dark as pitch. When they reached the highway

off the moon, and the situation became clearly revealed. The negro sat upon his horse, his head th

ed voice. The black immediately slid from his horse, and sto

eceived the shot in the breast, reared high, and then fell sidelong upon the road. The next shot

as if in conspiracy against the robbers, for at this moment another heavy cloud rolled across the moon. In the sudden darkness that followed the negro e

'Get this beast off the road,' indicating the dyin

essed me,' returned

e affair before the rencontre; and noticing this the Captain wondered much. And if anybody had been watching the face of the wounded highwayman when the negro escaped, he

ed the negro would soon take; and we leave him in pursuit, while we go