Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-31

l a
to the wicked, for we were then nearly at
the ultlmatum of railway speed, and did
not expect to stop before reaching our
destination, still alta considerable distance.
HIS whole manner and appearance con.
firmed this view ofthe case. / presumed
his evil conscience had conjured up a
especial engine" at our heels, and after
indulging in q few appropriate moral re.
Elections, Ito myself, of course 1 resumed
my paper. ..,
The next minute he was opposite to me.
heard light movement, and raised my
head-a strong knife, such as is used in
pruning trees, was open in his hand and,
with eyes verify scintillating, his startling
address, in tone, the coolness of which
strangely contrasted with its import,
was I'm going to kill you" The
horrible truth flashed upon me at once /:
he was insane, and alone with him, shut
out from all possibility of human help
Terror gave me calmness. Fixing my
eye upon him, so as to command his
movements, and perhaps control him,
answered quietly and firmly" No, you
are not 1t was well l was prepared.
That moment he sprang on me, and the
death-struggle began. l grappled with
him, and attempted to secure his right
arm; while again and again, as strained
every nerve to accomplish this purpose,
did that accursed blade glitter before my
eyes, for my antagonist was my superior
in muscle and weight, and armed in ad-
ditlon with the demoniacal strength of
madness, now expressed in every linea-
ment of his inflamed and distorted coun-
tenance. What sight was that not su-
per-human face.
Loudly and hoarsely called for help,
but We were rushing along thirty miles
IN an hour, and my cries were drowned
amid the roar of wheels and steam. How
horrible We're my sensations! Cooped
up thus, to be mangled and murdered by
madman, with means of rescue within
few feet of me, and yet that help, that
communication with my fellows that
would have saved me, as mattainable as
though we were in desert. [ auiyered.
as turning aside thrust after thrust, dealt
with exhaustless and frenzied violence. /
doubted not that the next must find its
way to my heart. My strength was rap
idly failing; not SO that of my antagonist.
struggled desperately, as alone the fear
of such death could enable man to do,
and, my hands gashed and bleeding, at
last wrenched the knife from his hold,
and flung it through the window. Then
| first seemed to breathe; but not vet was
safe. With redoubled rage he threw
himself at my throat, crushing it as with
iron fingers; and as felt his whole frame
heave and labor with the violence of the
attack, for one dreadful moment [ gave
up all for lost. But, surely then some
unseen power. strengthened me. Hole
strangled, / flung the whole weight of
my body upon him, got him down, and
planting my knee on his breast, by main
strength held him, spite of his frantic
efforts to writhe himself from under me-
My hands were bitten and torn in his
convulsive rage, but I felt not-heeded it
not. Life was at stake, and hardly I
fought for it. The bitterness of death
was upon me, and awfully clear and dis
tinct, in that mortal struggle, were the
past and the future-the human, sinful
past, and the dread, unknown, avenging,
eternal future. How were the joys and
sorrows of years compressed into that one
backward glance, and how utterly insig-
nifcant did they appear as the light of
life seemed fading from them. Fearfully
calm and collected was my mind, while
my body felt as though dissolving with
the terrible strain to which all its powers
were subjected. And yet, consumed as
| was with mental and physical agony,
| well remember my sensation of bliss, for
such it was, when the cool breeze for a
single moment blew upon my flushed and
streaming brow, which felt as though at
the mouth of furnace
But this could not last long. My limbs
shook, and were fast relaxing their grippe
mist swan before my eyes-my recol-
lection wavered, when, thank Heaven. |
became sensible of diminution in our
speed Fresh strength inspired me. l
dashed my prisoner down as soon as he
attempted again to free himself Then
the welcome sound of letting off the
steam-the engine stopped-the door
opened-and was saved
My companion was quickly secured,
and presently identified as lunatic who
escaped from confinement. To it he was
again consigned and |, from that day to
this, have never entered railway car
riase with only one passenger in it