The Maid of the Mountain — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

70 _ THE MAID OF ‘THE MOUNTAIN. “Every thing must be proved,” said the chief. “Words are nothing. Whois he that dares to speak thus of a mem- ber of our band ?” “One of the band,” replied the . accuser. “ One who can prove his words.” — “ Of what do you accuse James Conway ?” “ He was at the Selton mine. While there he met Tommy Elliot, and told him that the band were concealed™ in this niountain”’ 0 » “Did hasay where ?” 1 “I do not know. Iheard him’ say that, if Elliot would give up his title in a certain claim, he would tell him where to find the Brothers. . the ogee and pany them.” * Did he do so?” “ T know that he: oi the: claim, and that he weit with the band as far as’ the foof-bills. It was there we found him.” “Twas coming up here,” screamed the accused. *T tell you I was coming up here to tell you that the Regulators were coming. I did not betray the band. I meant to betray the Regulators. Upon'my word IT meant to do it.” “ You can not deceive us,” said the chief, sternly. “James Conway, ‘are you'a-member of the Brothers of the League ?” _“Tam,” said the man, bravely. “ You have sworn to be true to us?” _ “YT have, worthy chief. I meant to keep my oath. e ~ “Do you remember tliat oath ?” , “TI think I do, wortliy ebief.” r : _ “Zisten, and you shall hear me popiany thy and when I Lave-ding) we sell seu'it yon havoreepe ue seme” / Elliot held his breath as the ‘deep voice of the outlaw toned . out that fearful oath, He had ‘never heard any thing so terrible. “Pwo bloody daggers, a skull and” cross-bones, were brought forth’and laid ‘on a stand before the chief. te was vlaced on'them, atid the other was raised upwar «“ In the presence of ‘God, T do"solemnly sweitr ne r will ever keep inviolate the-secrets of (he Brothers of the I swear by these bones, and this ‘skull, whieware | thé ‘bones and skull of one who°was' ‘unfaithfub®'to the ‘vow, ‘ate, of my own free will, [now take. Iswear to secret the passes to this mountaiw retreat, and’in no manner toy hint, word, or conmmiclooolkks. conn