16 LIZZIE STOREY. 



Farkside, from its lonely and isolated situation, 

 attracted the notice of the two villians, who, after 

 reconnoitring, and being satisfied as to an easy accom- 

 plishment of their evil designs, set their plans in motion 

 for the ransacking of the lonely homestead, between the 

 hours of twelve and one, on the morning of the 24th 

 October. 



The house was entered by Adanison, admittance being 

 gained by extracting the dairy window ; Finney keeping 

 watch without in order to prevent surprise, as likewise 

 to hinder the escape of the inmates to raise an alarm. 



The noise of their operations awakened the ever alert 

 and watchful Lizzie. Springing from bed, she seized a 

 broomstick, and began a search of the house, followed by 

 her enfeebled mistress. On coming io the dairy, they 

 were confronted by Adamson. It was at this juncture 

 that Lizzie showed one of the most striking examples of 

 undaunted courage and noble daring that we have on 

 record. Not thinking for one moment of her dishabille, 

 she struck out right and left with the stick; and so 

 effective was the onslaught, that the cowardly ruffian, 

 finding himself worsted in the fight, seized a scythe, 

 and with it aimed a deadly blow at the heroic girl; 

 warding it off, at the same time receiving a severe cut 

 across the hand, she closed with her burly antagonist, 

 who, finding the ungainly weapon of no advantage in 

 close quarters, cast it aside, and seizing the girl by the 

 hair, dragged and kicked her in a most unmerciful and 

 brutal manner along the floor. In this desperate situa- 

 tion the undaunted girl's bravery and presence of mind 

 .still showed forth, as she called to her terror-stricken 

 mistress : "Get the scissors and cut my hair !" to free 

 her from the hands of the assailant. Before this could 

 be done, she extricated herself, and tearing the mask 

 from off the burglar's face, remarked that she would 

 know him again. By this time Finney was endeavour- 

 ing to enter by the kitchen window. Seeing this, our 

 heroine got hold of an old gun, and pointed it at the 

 robber's breast, but being an old-fashioned flint lock, it 

 missed fire; throwing it quickly aside she seized the 

 poker, and used it with such, success that the two villians 

 beat a hasty retreat. 



Information being given to the police, they imme- 

 diately set off in pursuit, and subsequently captured 

 Adamson at Annfield Plain ; while Finney, actuated by 



