Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-02

ing it, in hopes of finding house where
shelter aud protection might be afforded.
But in such dilemma he felt much EN-.
barIassed. Not doubling that he was
aylaid, the vicinity of the light to the
late scene OF attack, suggested doubts of
its proving place of safe aud hos pitable
entertainment. 1t was. however, equals
| iy hazardous to proceed on such road
after night-fall he therefore diverged
towards the treacherous light, and with
! much difficulty, wound devious way,
through the woods, and reached the
| house. fhe appearance Of this misera-
! Die tenement, ere he entered it. or re-
ceived reluctant permission to stay,
confirmed his suspicious as to its char
| acter. An aged man, was. apparently
the only inmate. who spoke the mongrel
Language OF the country, creole and bro
ken English. Our traveller accosted
him, made known his object aud wishes,
aud asked permission to stay during the
night. After some hesitation. aud appa>
rent confusion OF manner. an assent was
given, remarking at the same time, that
there WAS no accommodation either for
himself or horse.
The Colonel dismounted, and deter.
mined TO remain at the inhospitable ho-
vel, commenced fastening his horse to
swinging limb OF a tree in the small
enclosure. took charge of his baggage,
and entered. A scene was very soon
presented, which called forth that admi-
rabie GOODNESS, and scli-possession, which
alone constitute true courage and no de-
gree OF trmnesS, short of his, could
have sustained any man under such cir
cumStanres. Mere animal courage,
would either have quailed, or being ex-
cited to desperation, would only have
led It's victim to instant death. But we
will describe the scene, aud then let the
reader ask himself, would / have thus
acted ?" l have already remarked that
the Col. was convinced, Oh arriving at
the house, that it was the rendezvous
| and very den of robbers-and that ne
had escaped robbery. and perhaps MUIR
der, on the road, IL fall here victim
Tor, without some most extraordinary
lnterPosition, death. in some shape,
seemed inevitable. Contrary to the
Coloners expectation. the house was dis
,ant from the river nearly u mile. A
dense wood intervening, surrounding il
III every direction, every thing wearing
gloomy and peculiar aspect, gave
| Presage OF some disastrous termination of
his uutimely and unexpected visit.
But, to return.-There were two
rooms in the principal building, into the
largest OF which Col. T., was conduct
ed, by "mine host" the old Creole. A
female slave seemed to have the sole
charge Of domestic affairs. who at the
request of the Col. was directed to pro-
cure something for supper. After a
short absence, in attending 10 the com.
fort OF his horse, he returned to the
room, and found that footman, appa~
rentIy traveller, had arrived.
In the absence of the old man. few
remarks were passed between the trav-
oilers, ia the course Of which, the foot
man suggested to the Col. the propriety
OF being on his guard, as appearances a.
bout the house, were 10 him, very sus-
picious. The negress. also, while ar
ranging the table for supper, seemed to
manifest something like solicitude, and
expressions escaped her, which were
evidently designated for him. and which
confirmed his first impressions. But
there are yet further developments of
the plot to be noticed. Just as the Col.
was seating himself at supper, the hasty
and unceremo Nous entrance of three
men into the room, produced momen-
tary suspense-but resuming his compo-
sure, he scrutinized them closely and
took his seat at the board which had
once been billiard table. The appears
ance Of these men was as daring and fe.
rocious, as their manners were rude and
familiar. They were evidently at home.
and laying aside their arms except such
as were ostentatiously displayed about
their persons. they were soon seated at
the same table. A glance of recognition
towards the footman, seemed to present
this mans character in rather ques-
tionable shape.-The trio, however,
who had last entered, were evidently
the master spirits of the gang, and their
wbispeFiDgs and suppressed converse
ton, in allusioD to their guest, was too
PaPable to escape notice. A pack Of
cards were soon produced, and the three
amused themselves in this way, whilst
the Col. seemingly undisiurbed, partook
OF the cold, and unpalatable meal. AT.
ter he mad finished, the party requested
him to engage with them at cards, to
which he politely objected, saying. that
he did not play. They Immediately
Il IL n