The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-07

AT INC bOdIu,s which mad once been bill
lard table. The appearance of these men
was as daring and ferocious, as their man
ners were rude and familiar. They wert
evidently y home, and laying aside thei
arms, except such as were ostentatiousl,
displayed about their persons, they were
soon seated at the same table. A glance
OF recognition towards the footman, seem
ed to present this mans character in rather
questionable shape. The trio, however
who had last entered, were evidently the
master spirits of the gang, and their whis-
perlngs and suppressed conversation, in al
fusion to their guest, was too palpable 10
escape notice. A pack of cards we're soon
produced, and the three amused themselves
IN this way, whilst the Colonel seemingly
undIstnrbed, partook of the cold and I'M
paiatable meal. After he had finished, the
party requested him to engage with them
at eerds, TO Which he politely objected, ssr.
ing, that he did not play. They amnsdi-
ateiy laid aside the cards, and entered into
conversation, annoying him exceedingly
with Impairment questions, as TO his route,
business, &c. &c. Wearing The uniform
OF the army, his rank was of course recog-
nlzed. He was asked if he was no: from
New Orleans? If be was going to the
military post at Red River, Natcbitoches /?
1t there was not a large detachment of
troops there, and when were they TO he paid
off? If there were not large arrearages
due them? One of them presuming the
money would be transmitted from New Or
leans, another suggested that he was
paymaster to the Army" These various
perplexing interrogftories, were answered
promptly, with characteristic GOODNESS, and
generally without evasion. Studious, of
not evincing any distrust, or suspicious of
their object the careless indifference of his
manner seemed to have had the effect of
restraining their rudeness for while. and
the subject was changed. Whilst this kind
OF conversation was going on, one of the
robbers was observed to recline himself on
the floor near the partition where the bag
gage was laid which he used as a pillow.
watching his movements he vas seen ex-
aiming the Colonel's saddle-bags, rather
famiarly. This, however, he did not seek.
to notice. Soon after, two of the party
took their rifles, and left the house, without
giving any explanation. He was now left
with the fooman, the old man, and one of
the trio-who was evidently the leader of
the band. 1t grew late and requesting a
bed, he was conducted by the aged Ish-
maellte followed by the bandit) to small
attached building. In going along mar
row passage he stepped upon a trap door,
which gave way, and he sunk 10 his knee,
but clinging to bench which happened to he
near, he recovered and proceeded without
making any remarks. Reaching the apart
ment he was pointed to miserable cot, and
Immediately prepared to occupy it, by TAX
ing off only his coat and boots. The old
man soon retired, leaving his companion,
who proposed using an old settee in the
same room, as his couch, renarking that
the old man was scarce of beds. 70 this
arbitrary arrangement, he did not think
proper TO object
A crisis was now evidently approaching,
which no human agency could avert, and
he resolved hastily on his plan of escape.
This was to adopt some tfnesse, and if I'M
successful, TO defend himself TO the last,
with his only weapon, dirk. He was well
aware that his safety depended upon his
manners and bearing towards those despe-
radoes, hence every word and action was
strictly guarded. We have already OBJ
served the effect Of this course upon the as
sassn. Had he at any time evinced appre-
tensions or fears for his safety, or made
any unguarded movement, towards leaving
the house, instant death would, doubtless,
have followed. But, so confident were thew
of their prey, and probably TOO cowardly to
make Nil open attack, their plan evidently
was, to approach his couch, and accomplish
the hellish purpose by stabbng in the dark
The only hope of safety in leaving the
might possibly find boat, either descend
in0 af hn Sha ~; IL, Q..J
protection. But on tie other hand, if no
such relief was found, he would doubtless
be pursued, and on this uninhabited part of
the coast, escape would he impossible. He
therefore determined to wait some further
developments of the night, ere he should
decide differently what course to pursue. He
was not long left in suspense. A movement,
distinctly heard, made it palpably manifest
that murder, dark and premediiated mur-
der, was contemplated, and the attempt
about to be made. After the lapse of an
hour, perhaps, and after lying down, during
which he feigned sound sleep, yet wake
ful to every sound which foated upon the
murmuring wind, he heard the latch of the
door cautiously raised, and the footsteps of
a man were heard in the direction Of the
settee. He waited moment, and the same
stealtby footsteps approached his bed-the
object was quite near, remained but mo.
ment and retired. A low whispering was
then heard. All was again silent, and still
the Colonel seemed to sleep. The foot
steps now approached him, and SO near
thai he could distinctly perceive the heav,
and suppressed breathing. He immediate
ly turned over as if awakened, and the as
sassin, doubtless, with dagger in hand
hastily retired. Whisperings were agai
heard, and during this conference, some
thing fell upon the floor, which sounde
like the blade of knife. Silence, then, a
OF death, reigned for while-when Co
I. raising himself up, called upon the fel
low in the room for light. He appeare
to be aroused, unwillingy, as from SCUM
sleep, and in surly tone asked what wa
wanting. The Colonel remarked that h
did not feel we'll, and wished him to get
light brought up. After some delay, h
got np, drew on his boots, (leaving his ha
overcoat, &c.) and requested the man t
wait with the light few moments at tn
door. He left the room, and as soon as h
was beyond the reflection of the light, d
rected his course towards the river. Wall
ing briskly, he had reached half the di
lance, when signals of shrill whistle wei
heard close in his rear. Finding that
was pursued, he pushed forward and gail
ed the embankment of the river, where /
discovered light from boat at shore
the distance of nearly half mile.
The signal was again repeated, al
quickly answered in direction viii,
would intercept his course to the bout.
He proceeded cautiously, and discovered