THE FOUR CANADIAN HIGHWAYMEN

OR,

THE ROBBERS OF MARKHAM SWAMP.



BY EDMUND COLLINS




PREFACE.


The following story is founded on fact, everybody about this part of
Canada who is not deaf having heard of the gang at Markham Swamp.

I have no doubt that some of my friends who are in the habit of
considering themselves "literary," will speak with despair and
disparagement of myself when they read the title of this book. They
will call it "blood and thunder," and will see that I am on my way to
the dogs.

Well, these people are my friends after all, and I shall not open a
quarrel with them. For they themselves have tempted the public with
stupid books and essays; and they failed in finding buyers. Therefore
they have demonstrated for me that a stupid book doesn't pay; and I
will not, even for my best friend, write anything but what the people