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.
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