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

he gang had a rendezvous in a piece of dense wood known as Brook's Bush, close to the mouth of the Don River. It is also a fact that when the den a

of the Colonist, one Hogan, a member of the legislature. His taking off was done by a woman who struck him upon the head with a stone which she carried in a stocking. [Footnote: Scores of persons living in Toronto

ants lodged in the bush so near their doors; and they established an effi

stling among the pines that fringed the River Rouge, came straggling immigrants or persons grown tired of the solitude and the privations of backwoods life. But to distant portions of the province this thriving

he had 'roughed it' for many a season in the woods, Roland was clumsy enough at the regular work of woodcutting. But taking off his coat he began bravely, and The Lifter swung his axe with a will a short way distant. After they had cut what would make about a horse load, they carri

o hear sometheen about this unde

have hollowed so large a place as this seems to me. Why, it has been an eno

u'll excuse me, I do not like the way you have

he excavat

with an assumption of solem

ot wish to hear any more of it. I

now that River Rouge did not always enter Silent Lake at the place where i

es the matter

ring freshet, the river became dammed about a quarter of a mile from the lake, and the whole body of water was turned in another direction. But instead o

ubdued gurgleen sound. Hunters avoided the wood, for some careless persons had come here and fallen through the holes into the rusheen tide. Their bodies were afterwards found floateen in Silent Lake. One day my

ers that lay across the original course of the river. They wondered why he gazed at all so earnestly; a

will have a quiet castle of our own,

ink of liveen in this dismal

ereen what my grandfather had in his head. A few days after this, my grandfather and all his friends came with picks, and axes,

hat bridge

they a

happen when this bridge is cut away?" Th

und." "Ah, father," the capteen shouted, "you are the wise one after all.

For a full quarter of a mile did this tunnel, covered over

and sleeping places underneath. The whole length of the tunnel was tested, and wherever they int

out all the unfortunate men who dropped thro

s that were heavy enough to keep the body under; and that you could tie easily.' While the toil of carrying the wood went on, The Lifter continued to describe many deeds of horror committed in the dark pit. In the afternoon, Nancy joined the two, and they examined the mouth of the passage-way. But the casual eye would not have looked twice at the spot, for young trees were so planted at the

cy said when the chopping was ended. You can be of little more use now, and I am

aria

your

kew

is w

peeling of turnips or potatoes; and holding the yarn skein whilst one of the women rolled the thread into a ball; or in scouring the knives and forks. One afterno

turning to The Lifter. 'We will not want you, Nancy. Take a turn up stream and try to get a few fish for supper. There, make haste now; don't sta

t what particular form of danger he could not define. Resolved

of ourselves till you come back.' He laid emphasis upo

mother. The Lifter sat side-wise, and began to read Dick Turpin. For many minutes the reading and the stirring went on; when suddenly Roland noticed that the dull scrapin

hread is slipping off your hands.' Roland did as he was bidden, but he could not help thinking of the marvellous effect that the story of Turpin's dare-devil

at the blow which he had received upon the shoulder was aimed at his head. The hag stood before him with a short iron bar, used as a fire poker, in her hand; and her eyes blazed with a hate tha

w the ground.' She was foiled and let drop her weapon. But for th

fter's head, she knocked him insensible to the ground. The unfortunate wretch lay where he fe

sed it above his head. Roland well understood the murder in the old miscreant's eyes, and le

owled with the hatred of a fiend upon him. Turning then she resumed her work of stirring the

land said, 'I wish to attend to his wo

n an anxious voice; though she was thoroug

pistol, 'ever makes an attempt upon my life again, I will shoot her like a mad dog, even though every robber of the cave were standing by. I shall be justified in doing this by every law. Killing is a game at which two can play; and kill I will the next person, be that person man or woman, who makes another attempt upon my life

eamed Silent Poll,

od in a vessel near by, and throwing them upon the old woman, quenched the flames. The murderous hag was white with terror; and

en the death of me.' Taking her grandmother's arm, this precious

s well She is now in dread of you, and will not be likely

ow let us look after this poor wretch.' The Lifter had lain where he fell witho

in his face.' The girl did so, and

med to be more his friend than ever. After Roland and Nancy had bound up his wounds he crept into the tunnel and went into his bed. Silent Poll returned with a scowling face when the old woman, whom she had

el, Nancy; I am anxious to see the exte

yonder,' she said as she seized a small coil of rope and led the w

peared; and presently he heard her telling him to come. The sensation, as he descended into the pitc

nel became fairly visible. As for the floor it was hard and level, the flood having carried all the turf and earth away, leaving the rock bare. Here and there a mass of

solidity of the ground. In addition to these sinuosities there were several pockets or alcoves along the tunnel, as if the stream had here found passage f

'a dam has been put before this stream, and it runs thr

l lighted, and turning up his eyes Roland

s a treache

n who came into the bush fell through; and as they fell the old woman, Poll, and The Lifter despatched them with c

was great, indeed; but I had

el and everything that it may catch has from the first been held by the old woman; and either she or Poll passes through it every day. The poor sportsman was found by the old woman; and when she appeared he was astonished, and besought her assistance. But her reply was made with that very same iron poker with which she attempted your life to-day. Silent Poll and The Lifter afterwards dragged

y of the tunnel, and Nancy sugges

as you bestow upon Silent Poll. You must impress them with the belief that you look upon me as an abandoned woman and a murderess. My part shall be to show sympathy with the old woman in to-day's offence, and to denounce you. I shall speak