THE WAYS OF ROBBER LIFE.
During the night a violent gale blew, rain fell in torrents, and
many a proud tree received its death blow when lightning sprang from
the low-brooding cloud.
But the face of nature was as bright next morning as a child's face
after its own little tempest and its tears have passed, and joy takes
possession once again. The sky seemed so clearly blue, that one might
think, as I myself often when a child imagined, that in some
unaccountable way the rain in falling had washed the sky, and hence
it looked upon the morrow _cleaner_.
White clouds, like frail, wide tangles of thistle-down, drove across
the sky and helped to form a vast congregation to leeward.
Overhead, and for a considerable way upon their journey, these
clouds are white, but when they begin to form away beyond the reach
of the wind, they immediately turn to a pearl grey. Sometimes you
will notice a flush of rose, and often little patches of violet; and
if to these hues be added no other save the semi-universal cumulus or
neutral, you have little cause to fear that the tempest will renew
itself. But beware of the purple and the sulky indigo. The purple
sometimes clears up and dissolves itself in joyous crimson, or
fair-weather pink. I have hardly ever known indigo to relent. When it
rolls or steals into the heavens its purpose is tumult; and if you
miss its fury be sure that someone else, some other where, will not.
Roland's heart arose as he stood once more under the pure honest
heavens, the wholesome air filling his lungs, and the sunshine,
despite his lot, creeping into his heart.
And although the bush that clad this swamp was hateful as woods
could be, it revealed here and there to our hero's ken a touch of
beauty; for among the evergreens several maple, beech, and oak trees
had thrust their roots. The dull bronze of the oak, the pale gold of
the beech, and the flushed crimson of the maple contrasted richly and
often gorgeously with the myrtle of the evergreens.
'Smitten by the beauty of our woods, aye?' the robber enquired.
'Yes; I was looking at that flaming maple.'
'We are not so God-forsaken here as you might imagine, young man. A
capital fishing stream runs through the swamp.'
'Are there fish in that lake which I see gleaming through the bush?'
'Plenty of them. Well fed too, ha, ha.' There was something in the
tone of the man's voice that made Roland's blood run cold.
'Oh, yes; you will get reconciled to our ways of living sooner than
you imagine; and by the time that your wound is healed you will be
longing for exercise. But we will give you plenty of it.'
'In what manner, may I ask?'
'Now, how innocent you seem, Mr. Duellist. Why, have I not told you?
Have you not heard what the occupation is of the gang of Markham
Swamp? Well, you will assist us in keeping up the reputation of the
place. But you will not at first get work which only trained hands
can do. I shall be considerate enough not to require you to go abroad
while the sun is up; but you will bear a hand at night when no moon
is to be seen; and when the storm kindly helps to conceal suspicious
noises. Now and again, young man, if I must be so plain, I will need
you to aid in breaking houses, and gagging noisy fools. Sometimes I
will require you to crack a skull, if easier methods fail in the
prosecution of our enterprises. I take a fancy sometime for carrying
folks away to our curious quarters; some of whom it suits my humour
to retain for a time, others of whom I allow to sink into the
mysterious hollow swamp. We have not carried away a pretty lass for
many months now; and it is quite desolate here sometimes when one has
not handsome female eyes to look into his and give him cheer.
'But I have had my eye upon a girl distant far from here. Over a year
ago I saw her in her father's orchard gathering peaches. Looking up
her eyes met mine, which were burning upon her through the hedge. She
gave a shriek of horror and ran away. Never, young man, had my eyes
before rested upon a being so fair as this. I might have gone away and
strove to think no more about her, but the look of loathing as well as
terror with which my face filled her, decided my course. _I resolved
to have her._ Before the spring buds are on the trees she shall be
here; and one of the offices I shall reserve for you is to assist me
in bringing her hither. I may be able to use you as a decoy; for your
face, curse it, seems to find more favour with women than mine.'
'And you brought me here, then, that I might aid you in such works
of infamy?'
'Precisely.'
'Then hear my answer once for all. Death shall be mine before
dishonour. Rather than assist you in carrying out the least of your
evil deeds _I will give myself up to justice_.' The robber's
face grew as dark as a thundercloud, and a devilish light flashed in
his eye. For a moment his hand rested upon the haft of his knife; but
only for a moment.
'We shall see,' he replied. 'I have bent more stubborn wills than
yours. You will have some time to make choice of my two alternatives.
This only have I now to say: If you have any hope of being able to
escape hence and get into sheltering territory put it from you. While
you stay in this wood watch will always be upon you. Should you
manage to escape those who guard you here, I myself will lead the
minions of the law upon your track. Now get these words down into
your craven heart.'
'I perceive, miscreant,' Roland retorted, his eye flashing, that
you understand my code of honour, and take advantage of it. You are
aware that falsehood and insolence from such lips as yours convey no
insult. But despite your stature, your hungry knife, and your three
villain associates, here, even in this den I would not hesitate to
inflict chastisement if I could but do it upon grounds of honour.
Now, ruffian, you know my will. But _defend_ myself, save from
the arm of lawful authority, I always will.' And he faced the robber,
who, probably for the first time in his evil life, quailed. Turning
upon his heel the chief strode away.
'You have my word,' is all that he said. Roland then perceived that
the captain in a stern voice gave certain commands when he joined the
group. Murfrey, with a dogged countenance, descended the pit; the
respectable Mr. Sykes followed him; and a little later the giant
figure of the chief himself disappeared into the hole.
'I was lis'neen. Heard your words to the capteen,' The Lifter said
to our hero, in a smooth, even whisper. 'It is surpriseen he didn't
stab you.'
Nancy was engaged making for herself a wincy gown; the hag was
sewing buttons upon a pair of breeches belonging to one of the
highwaymen, and Silent Poll was kneading dough.
'I do not regard it as surprising,' our hero replied.
'My, but that's strange,' quoth The Lifter.
'Two can play at a game of that sort; I do not relish an encounter,
but whoever gets my life will have to strive for it. But that is of
little consequence. What is on now?'
'If you will just remain standeen where you are and keep your eyes
open you will see.'
Presently our hero saw a strange head rise from the cavern; and then
the entire figure appeared. The disguise was most complete, and the
robber, whichever one he was, held a buck-saw in his hand.
'Off buckeen,' whispered The Lifter. The fellow wore a very ragged
coat, and corresponding breeches; but our hero could not remember
having seen him before. He stood close to the mouth of the pit
looking first at Nancy, and then upon Roland. The jealous glare
setted the point in our hero's mind. The disguised ruffian was
Murfrey. The next moment out popped a sleek, respectable looking
personage, carrying a Bible under his arm, and a walking stick in his
hand. He was dressed like a dissenting clergyman, wearing at his
throat the white bow that characterizes the Wesleyan preacher.
'The fear of God is the beginning of all righteousness. Tread ye in
His ways, my children,' he said, raising his hand above the group.
And then pronouncing a benediction, the miscreant departed.
The robber chief next appeared, and him our hero could never have
identified. Under his wide-brimmed hat tufts of curly chestnut hair
were visible; and his jaws and chin had a huge beard to match in
colour.
'Cattle dealer,' whispered The Lifter. The robber's clothing were
such as to harmonize with a man who bought and sold horses, bullocks
and flocks of sheep. In his hand he carried a heavy, knotted stick.
'We return at moonrise,' he said to the old woman as he turned away.
'Good luck, good luck to ee,' quavered the crone. 'A pocket-full o'
yallow shiners for yourself, me fine dear.' And she waved her
withered arm after the robber many times. 'Seventy-two years I've
lived in this bush, girl an' woman, an' he's the finest one that ever
come into it; barrin' my other son the Slugger that the p'lice bagged
when he was drunk. But not apeach would he, even when they put the
rope around his neck. He's the sort of a man for you to pattern by,
my young one,' the old woman said, turning to Roland and addressing
him for the first time.
'Why, old dame, ought I be anxious to have myself hanged in the end,
as I understand this Slugger was?'
'Bah! you haven't courage enough to earn your hanging. I do not know
what the captain wants to bring such coves as you here for,' she
said, darting a malignant glance at our hero. 'I would be ashamed to
eat other people's bread and accept their shelter, without trying to
make myself useful.'
Roland was in one of his irritating moods so he said:
'I perceive that you are a very wicked old lady; and I am quite sure
that if the officers could only lay hands upon you, they would give
the birds something to peck at. Do you know what they do with bad old
ladies like you? Why, they hang them up to trees that stand alone
upon a bleak common; that the boys may pelt and the crows may feed.'
The rage of the old gentlewoman was now so great that she was unable
to articulate; and when her fury reached the most impotent stage,
Roland arose and walked away.
'Do you wish to take a turn with the rod?' Nancy asked.
'Yes, I should like to get out of sight of our uncharitable
grandmother here.'
'Hush! I would not advise you to provoke her too far. If you knew
what her career of crime has been you would shudder to bring her ill-will
upon you. I am afraid you have brought a great danger upon your
head.' Our hero and Nancy emerged from the wood and there lay spread
before them a lake of shining water, though dark as soot. Its area
was probably about twenty acres; and although its depth seemed to be
great, a black stump rose here and there from the surface. The two
had not walked far when the shrill voice of the old woman was heard
calling.
'Nancy, Nancy!'
'I must leave you; but I will return as soon as I can. I have many
things to tell you and many warnings to give. The Lifter, I think,
has taken a great fancy to your ways; and I think you will be able to
credit what he says to you. I will join you up the brook and we'll
have a fish together. Good-bye, dearie;' and the girl flung a kiss to
him from her finger tips and was away.
A minute later The Lifter came whiffling along and joined our hero.
'Well, stranger, what do you think of the parseen?'
'I think that he is a blasphemous villian; and I wonder that God
Almighty does not send a bolt from heaven upon such a wretch.'
'But it is said that they have a good deal of patience in heaveen.
Well, I think they must or they never would suffer the Rev. Mr. Jonas
to walk the earth. I often sit a thinkeen about him; and always come
to the conclusion that he is not _sincere_.'
'Cease your knavery, fellow. What purpose can it serve to talk in
this fashion to me?'
'Well, I will. I like you, because you knocked down the bully. I
have a great likeen for the fellow's gal; but till you came she cared
best for Joe. I'd like to tell you summat of my brethreen. But say,
are you here hard and fast?'
'I fear, alas, I am.'
'What did you do; kill your man in a duel?' Roland sighed and bowed
his head.
'Then you cannot go away and peach, so I'll give you a bit of our
indoor history. You saw these as went out to-day. Wall, they are off
spotteen (spotting). Joe will go to some comfortable farm house and
ask for a job saween wood. He can be very good natured and obligeen;
and pretty soon he gets the run of the house. If there is a silver
spoon or a watch in the house he seldom leaves--though he often
returns day in and day out to the same house--without bringeen it
away. Sometimes he hears of a man who has a lot of shiners, and if he
can be sure that he keeps it in the house, he makes himself at home
for a few days about the place doeen chores cheap. His next visit is
when they are all asleep; when there is no moon, and the storm makes
much clatter. He escaped from Newgate in the ould country; came to
Muddy York and got jugged. He broke bars and was picked up one
evening as you were on the edge of this swamp. He was the very man
they needed here.
'But there is a very interesting history belongeen to the Rev. Mr.
Jonas. That is, as to how he became the Rev. Mr. Jonas. Well, it was
like this. He was caught when very young at Piccadilly pickeen a
gentleman's pocket. He learnt the trade under one Fagan, a jew, the
cheese toaster that you read about in that new book, _Oliver
Twist_. He was sentenced to three years; but when he got out he
joined the pickpockets again; was again caught and transported to
Australia. From that far away place he beat his passage to Halifax;
and worked his way from that town, too, till he got to York. He was
prime always at workeen anything. Well, he got tired of idleness in
York, and one night climbed into the residence of Sir Edmond Bond
Head, the gov'nor, and stole his watch. The gov'nor fired, but harmed
notheen except the glass. The next day he sold the watch to a Jew;
but the detectives were on his track and nabbed him. He was sent down
for six years.
'When two years were served he began to long for a more active life;
and slippeen one night through the bars he came away. They pat up the
hue-and-cry next morneen, and had half the country at his heels. The
capteen met him; said he was just the young man he wanted; and took
him to the heart of the establishment.
'And now comes the interesteen part of the story. Mr. Sykes was not an
idle man; he would scorn to eat a crumb that he did not work for; so
he was every day abroad, and if he could bring in notheen better he
was sure to return a little after dark with half a dozen chickeens, or
a couple of quarters of lamb or veal around his neck. One day he came
in with something that was not lamb, nor veal, nor fowl. Now, what do
you think it was? _Blow my eyes if it wasn't a Methodist parson!_
'The parson was a meek-lookeen man, with a white bow under his
throat; and his name was Mr. Jonas.
'"What in thunder did you bring that Sky-pilot here for?" the
capteen asked in his most angry tones; while ould missus run a
ecreecheen to the cavern.
'"I have good reason, I assure you, capteen, for the capture," was
the reply. "Give the man of God sometheen to eat. He must pray for us
this eveneen. It'll be as good as a circus to listen to him. It's
been so long since we had divine service in here."
'Ah, young man, but it was good fun to hear that parson pray and
preach that night. The very
'Aisles of the dim-wood rang to the anthem'
that he raised; and I am sure he thought that he had carried our
hearts by storm. He prayed God to soften our obdurate hearts; and
especially asked heaven to cause these misguided men to relent in
their intensheens, and permit him to go and carry the refresheen rain
of the Gospel to thirsty ground. After the prayer was ended I showed
him his couch, the same whereon you slept last night, and before I
said good night I asked him to pray for me. He squeezed my hand and
said:
'"Is your heart softened? May I depend on you?"
'I answered, "Fear not. I have been a burneen brand and you have
snatched me from the fire." He turned his eyes toward the clayey roof
and gave thanks. When I returned to upper air Mr. Sykes had gathered
Mr. Jonas' late congregasheen about him, and thus addressed the
meeteen:
'"Brethreen and sisters, I intend to amend my life. I have been a
wicked man; but he good parson below has carried the grace of God to
my heart. Henceforth my mission shall be to preach the word. So
zealous am I in this respect that _I intend to preach instead of
Mr. Jonas!"_
'For several minutes I could not gather what he meant; but it became
quite clear when he added:
'"This congregasheen is large and wealthy enough to retain a
preacher unto itself. Capteen, with your permission we will keep Mr.
Jonas!" The capteen, who long before had caught Mr. Sykes' intention,
nodded a hearty approval.
'That eveneen Mr. Sykes took possession of Mr. Jonas' private
letters, recommendations, etc.; and likewise bore away to his own
diggeens a Bible, several prayer books, and three or four hymn books
belonging to the preacher.
'"Brethreen and sisters," he said, "I am no longer the wicked Ned
Sykes, but the good and Reverend Mr. Jinas."
'That day, clad in the clergyman's very robes, with a white tie
under his chin, and three holy books under his arm, he set forth. He
visited every Wesleyan family in the neighbourhood; presented his
credentials at each house, and received from one and all a cordial
and Christian welcome. Since that time he has preached regularly
every Sunday; he has "the run" of every Christeen house in the
denomination through the county of York. More than this, he is noted
for his piety and eloquence, and people who will not trust the banks,
deliver their wealth into his hands for safe keepeen. About twice in
the year he preaches a charity sermon, for the help of the widow, the
orphan, and the distressed, generally; and requests that the amounts
be forwarded to him for disposal.
'During his ministerial missheen he has collected about thirty
watches; close upon a basketful of silver spoons; while he has led a
nightly attack upon just ten houses belonging to his parishioners. He
has killed, with his own hand, in his own bed, the class-leader in
the Wesleyan Sunday School, and wounded one of the church trustees.
But he attended afterwards, with much concern, and read words of
consolation to the wounded man.'
'My God!' Roland interrupted, 'this is shocking. Does he still
continue at this work of infamous hypocrisy?'
'Bless your heart, yes.'
'Eternal heaven, he is not the eloquent minister who preaches every
other Sunday at the Don?'
'The very same.'
'Why, I have gone there myself and heard him, attracted by his great
repute. Yes, now that I come to reflect, this miscreant who went out
this morning and the preacher to whom I listened with such rapt
attention, are one and the same man.'
'I hope that you were made better by his discourse,' The Lifter said.
'And pray,' our hero inquired, 'what became of the poor minister,
the real Mr. Jonas?'
'Oh they kept him confined for several months, and he wasted away
past beleiveen. Nobody here took to him like. At last the new Mr.
Jonas said to him one morneen:
'"Mr. Jonas that was, pray come down with me to the side of the lake
that we may converse. I like best to contemplate the might of God
through the agitasheen of the waters; and behold how the storm blows!"
'The poor, wasted Wesleyan went with him; but he never came back. An
hour later the new Mr. Jonas returned; but he made no allusion to the
real minister. We afterwards learnt that he had drowned him in the
pond.'
'Great God, how horrible!'
'There now, you must not say anything against the habits and customs
of the place. I will bid you good morneen.' Taking his rod and line
the sleek desperado made his way up the stream; and our hero was left
to horrible recollections. There was a noise among the parched
leaves, and a moving of boughs. Then Nancy stood before him. She did
not expect to find him here at the first turn, and she blushed deeply.
'I thought The Lifter was with you still. But I am glad that he has
left you. We shall fish arid talk here. Has The Lifter told you
anything about the history of the highwaymen?'
'Yes; I have heard enough to make me sick at heart.'
'Did he tell you about the Captain?'
'No.'
'Well the Captain is his own father; and the old woman is his
grandmother. The robber chief's father was known as "Nick, the
Highwayman," a terrible person whose name made everybody's heart beat
fast fifty years ago.'
'But how came you here, Nancy? You look different from the people
about you; your language is elegant and you appear as if you had been
born well.'
Such words coming from _him_ embarrassed the girl. But when the
blood began to return to her cheek, she heaved a sigh so piteous and
profound as to move every spring of pity in our hero's heart.
'Ah, yes; I knew purer, and more happy days,' she replied; 'but to
commence my story is like opening again wounds that once have
tortured. My father came to this country when I was an infant under
the nurse's care, my mother having died a few hours after I was born.
My father had served for many years as an officer in the army; and he
fought under Lord Wellington, as captain, at Waterloo. He had several
connections in this Province, and shortly after his arrival here,
through the influence of the governor, obtained the position of
sheriff for York and the allied counties. He built a house in the
heart of the wilderness, and cleared a farm, stocking it with horses,
cows, oxen and sheep.
'I found it very lonely during the years of my early girlhood; and I
used to go, despite my father's wishes, much away from home, spending
a day with one friend, and a week with another. Nor was I choice at
all in the selection of my acquaintances. My father frequently used
to point out that as I was a lady by blood, I should seek the
companionship of ladies only. But his remonstrances never exceeded
words; and when I disobeyed, his orders he only sighed and wished my
mother had been spared to watch my welfare.
'When I reached my seventeenth year, my friends were pleased to tell
me that I was "a beauty," and they predicted that I would make sad
work among the hearts of men. I always was a coquette, and to capture
the affections of a man, I regarded as the greatest victory a woman
could win. So I felt proud of my beauty and of my gifts, for I had a
natural way of pleasing everybody, and resolved to make the most
effective use of both. In the spring I looked to the sugar season;
and wished for the dawn to break upon nights when the frost was keen.
When the sun shone out I knew that the maples would merrily drip; and
when breakfast was ended, tying on my hat, I hurried away to join the
sugar-makers. It made no matter who the persons were, and I used to
be as happy and as much at home among the servants who did our
domestic work, as among the high-bred folk who were my father's
associates. In the evening I attended candy parties among the
rustics; and danced and played at games. The game that pleased me
most was post-office; for there was plenty of kissing when playing
that. But ah! I did like kissing! I always singled out the most
popular man in the room for conquest; and no other girl had any
chance whenever I entered the lists. And in spite of the preference
which all men gave to me, I was popular, and no unkind words were
uttered about me. If anybody hinted that I was a flirt, there was
sure to be someone present who would promptly say:
'"Oh, she is not proud anyway. She is a _real_ lady; and she is
not too good to mix with common folk."
'Well, in this way things went till I was eighteen. One evening, at
this period, I attended a dance which wound up a "quilting bee," at a
house about a mile distant from our own. All the rustics there were
known to me; but there was a stranger present who at once attracted
my attention. He had not the conscious air and movement of the
country folk, but seemed as cool and as much at ease as if he were in
the woods alone. He was handsome, too, and no sooner did I see him
than I felt attracted by his splendid eyes.
'He asked the hostess to present him; and my heart throbbed wildly
as he came up, bowed, and asked if he could have the pleasure of a
dance. I readily consented, and before the party broke up I had given
the stranger all my heart. I had never loved before, much as I had
enjoyed men's company. Yet, although I gave my heart away, I had some
undefinable dread of this dark, daring stranger, with the remorseless
though beautiful eye, and that dare-devil step and bearing. Many
times, again, we met; frequently in the meadows when the gloaming
came; and often in my father's orchard.
'He declared in burning words his love for me and asked if I would
become his wife. I consented. Then I bade him ask my father's
sanction; but this he would not listen to. He said that our wedding
would have to be kept a profound secret; and asked if I knew any
clergyman upon whom I might rely to perform the ceremony. I knew that
it would be useless to apply to the Episcopalian minister who
preached once in the month in the district church, for he and my
father were the closest friends. But Mr. Wyman, a Baptist missionary
with whose family I was very intimate, contrary to my father's
commands, I felt sure would not refuse. I had an interview and he
consented to wed me to my darling.
'In a little while it was accomplished; and writing a letter wherein
I stated what had happened, and telling how I loved my husband, I
laid it upon my father's desk and went away. My husband took me into
another county and provided for my comforts at a little rustic hotel.
I should have been supremely happy but that he was obliged to be the
greater portion of his time absent upon business, concerning which he
would not give me the faintest clue. I noticed, too, that he always
came at night and went away before the dawn; and that he always
seemed afraid of something and of everybody. Sometimes it ran through
my mind that my husband's reason was not sound; a suspicion that some
act of good judgment or clever reasoning on his part would soon
dispel. But his long and frequent periods of absence soon became
intolerable and I told him that take me with him he must; that I was
prepared to share labour, and travel, and storm with him.
'"It you do not take me with you," I said one day, after he had been
absent for a fortnight, "I shall go home again and never permit you
to see me more!" I knew he understood that I would keep my word. He
was very much agitated, and he said to me:
'"Since you desire it I will take you with me. When I take you there
shall you see more of me than you have seen since we were wedded. But
hearken to what I say: I would as lief carry you to the churchyard as
to the abode which is mostly mine."
'I was wayward; and declared that I cared for nothing provided that
I were with him. One evening he came and bade me to make ready. He
had a pair of horses outside, and across the back of his own steed my
clothes, which he stowed in sacks, were put. For hours and hours
through the night we rode; and when the faintest tinge of silver
showed itself in the east we were on the edge of this hateful swamp.
From that day to this I have never left it.'
'And what became of your husband?'
'Later on you shall hear. When I discovered who my husband's
associates were, what he himself _was_, shame, rage, and despair
entered my heart. I uttered no complaint; but tearlessly resigned
myself to my doom. The revelation, of course, instantly crushed the
love out of my heart for the man who had betrayed me. Six months
later he was shot by a farmer while committing a burglary. I shed no
tears when I heard the tidings; nor have I enquired where they buried
him.'
'Whence came your husband!'
'He was a gentleman and possessed many accomplishments. At the
gaming table he squandered a handsome fortune; and he then committed
forgery. He flew from justice and fell in with the gang of Markham
Swamp.'
'And how has your lot been since then?' A flush came into her cheeks.
'Not indeed as you surmise. Oh, no; fallen though I, am by mating
myself with murderers, I have in one respect naught that can bring
reproach. Shortly after the death of my husband the robber chief
offered to wed me. His offer I refused; and it has never since been
made. To shield myself from the advances of the rest I have permitted
the odious ruffian Murfree to pay court to me. He is my constant
persecutor; and he is persistently urging that I marry him, that vile
man, Jud Sykes, to perform the ceremony. I promised, at the last, to
wed him in May of the coming spring; but I shudder to think of his
violence now that _you_ have come amongst us.'
'Why should that make any difference?'
'Oh, he is deadly jealous of you; because he thinks that I prefer
you to himself. I fear him on your account as well as upon my own. Be
assured that he will never forgive you for last evening. But,' she
exclaimed, starting up, 'we had better try for some fish, or
grandmother will suspect that I have been blabbing.'
'Why should we not go to the pond? The captain says that there are
plenty of fishes there.'
'Do not speak of it,' she said with a shudder. 'Ah, those dark
waters have many secrets. I am afraid to tell you; the very bushes
about us seem to have ears.'