Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-01-05

| were removed from my hands. Nv hear
bounced within me as NV wrists were re-
leased from the iron gripe of the shack
! les!-the first step towards freedom wa.
made-my self-reliance returned, and
felt assured of success. Now for the
weapon, said |.
i lear you will find it rather clumsy.
said he, but if well handled, i. will dc
as well as the best Toledo; il is the only
thing | could get. bu. sharpened i, my.
sell. 1t has an edge like skean.'
lie placed in my hand the steel h cad
OF halberd, and with low and savage
laugh left me to my reflections. Having
examined and arranged the weapos,
carefully bound the ends of the cravat.
with which | had secured the cross par,
OF the spear head. firmly around nv
wrist, SO that in case of struggle !,
might not easily be forced from nv hand:
and having made these precautionary
dispositions, sat down upon the ground
with my back agains. The wall and nv
hands together. under my coat, awaiting
my visitor. The time wore slowly on,
The dusk became DINNER and DINNER.
until |! nearly bordered on total dark
ness. 'llow's this!' said I, inwardIv.
Capt. Oliver, you said should TO, SCI
the moon raise to. night; melhinks YOU
are somewhat tardy in fulfilling vovr
prophecy
AS l made this reflection, a noise at
the door announced the entrance of a
visiiant | knew that the decisive mo.
ment had come, and letting my head sink
upon my breast, aud assuring myself
that my hands were concealed, [ await
ed, in the attitude Of deep detection, the
approach of my ioe and be,rayer. AsI
had expected; Captain Diver entered the
room where lay. lie was equipped
for instant duty. as far as the imperfect
twilight would allow me to see; the lony
sword clanked upon the floor, as he
made his way through the lobbies to nv
place OF confinement; his ample military
cloak hung upon his arm, his cooked ha,
was upon his head, and in all points he
was prepared for the road. This tailed
exactly with what my strange informant
had told me. | felt my heart swell and
my breath come thick, as the awful mo-
ne mt which was 10 witness the Death
struggle of one or The other Of US ap-
preached. Capt. Oliver stood within a
yard or two of the place where | lay,
and folding his arms, he remained silent
for a Ainute or two, as if arranging in
his mind how he should address me.
'Hardr ess Fitzgerald he began a.
length, ARE you awake! Stand up if ou
desire to hear of matters nearly touc hing
your lie or death Ge. up. / say
| arose, doggedly. and affecting the
awkward movements Of one whose hands
were bound.
well, said |. 'what would you of me! !
is II nOtenough that am thus mprison-
ed, without cause. and about, as sus-
pee, to suffer mos, unjust AMI violen,
sentence, but must also be disturbed d
during the few moments ef. me for re-
hectlon and repentance, by the presence
of my prosecutor! What do you want
of met
AS toyour punishment, sir, said he,
your own deserls have no doubt suggest.
ed the likelihood of it to your nina; bu.
now am with YOU 10 let you kno W that
whatever mitigation of your sentence
you NAV look lor--must be earned by
your compliance with my orders. You
must frankly and fully explain the con.
tents OF the pack which you endeavor.
ed this day to distroy; and further, you
must tell all that you know of the designs
OF the popish rebels
And if | do this, am to expect mi,i.
CATION of my punishment-is it not so!''
Oliver bowed. We'll. sir. before
make the desired communication, have
one question to put. What is to befall
me, i'll case tha, |, remembering the hon.
or of soldier and gentleman, relec,
your infamous terms, scorn your miriga
tions. and defy your utmost power!'
In that case replied he cooly,' be.
fore half an hour you shall be corps
Then God have mercy on your soul!'
said |, and springing forward. dashed
the weapon which l held at his throat
| missed my aim, but struck him full IN
the mouth with such force that mos, o.
his front teeth we're dslodged, and the
point Of the spear-head passed ou, un
der his jaw, at the ear. Ny onset was
SO sudden and unexpected that he reelee
back to the wall, and did no! recover his
equilibrium in time to prevent my Geal
ing second blow, which did with al
my force. The point, unfortunately
stnck the cuirass, near the neck. and
glancing aside. i, inflicted but flesi
wound, tealing the skin and tendons a
long the throat. He now grapp.ed will
me, strange to say, wilhou, uitering an,
cry of alarm. Being very powerfu
man. and if anything rather heavier an,
more strongly built than |. he succeede,
ia drawing me with him to the ground
We fell together, with heavy crash, tug
ging and slraining in wha, we were bot
conscious was a mortal struggle. A
length | succeeded in getting over him
and struck him twice more. The wea
pom which ] welded had lighted upo
the eye, and the point penetrated tn
brain. The body quivered under me
| tho daallv 0rasn rala vol and nl;,o. Ia