Columbia gazette., 1854-03-11

ed, Tor we were then at the ultlmatum
of railway speed, and did not expect to
stop before reaching our destination,
still at considerable distance. His
whole manner and appearance confirmed
this view of the case. I presumed bis
evil conscience had conjured up ! "spec-
ial engine" at our heels, and after in
dulging in a few appropriate moral re-
fections, Ito myself, Of course re-
sumed my paper.
The next minute he was opposite to
me. l heard slight movement, and
raised my hcad-a strong knife, such
as is used in pruning trees, was open in
lis hand, and, with eyes verify scintil-
lating, his startling address, in tone
the coolness of which strangely contrast
ed with its import, was:-'.I'm going to
kill ycur' The horrible truth flashed
upon me at once: he was insane. and ]
alone with him, shut out from all posi-
bility Of human help! Terror gave me
calmness. Fixing my eye upon him,
so as to command his movements, and
perhaps control him, answered direct
ly and firmly "No, you are not 1t
was we'll [ was prcparc cd. That mo-
ment he sprang on me, and the death
struggle began. I grapplea with him,
and attempted to secure his right arm;
while again and again, as 1 strained ev-
cry nerve to accomplish this purpose,
did that accursed blade glitter before
my eyes, for my antagonist was my su-
perior in muscle and weight, and armed
in addition with the demoniacal strength
of madness, now expressed in every lin
eamcnt of his inAamed and distorted
countenance.
What sight was that not super -hu-
man face! Loudly and hoarsely 1 call
ed for help, but we were rushing along
thirty miles in the hour, and my cries
we're drowned amid the roar of wheels
and steam. How horrible were my sem
sations! Cooped up thus, to be mang-
led 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 unattainable as though we were
in desert. I quivered, as turning a.
side thrust after thurst, dealt with ex-
haustless and frcnzied violence, doubt
ed not that the next must find its way
to my heart. My strength was rapidly
failing: not so that ofmy antagonist. |
struggled desperately, as also the fear
of such death could enable man to
do, and, my hands hashed and bleeding,
at last wrenched the knife from his hold,
and flung it through the window. Then
| first seemed to breathe; but not yet
was safe With redoubled rage he
threw himselfat my throat, crushing it
as with iron fingers; and as l 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 strength
ened me- Half strangled, I 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 l
felt it not-heeded it not. Life was at
stake, and hardly 1 fought for it.
| The bitterness of death was upon me,
and awful clear and distinct, in that
mortal struggle, were the past and the
future-the human, sinful past, and the
dread, unknown, avenging, eternal fu-
ture. How were the joys and sorrows
of years compressed into that one back
ward glance, and how utterly insignif-
cant did they appear as the light of life
seemed fading from them. Fearfi,lly
calm and collected was my mind, while
my body felt as though dissolying with
the terrible strain to which all its pow
ers were subjected And yet, consuln-
ed as was with mental and physical
agony, l well remember my sensation
Of bl,ss, for such it was, when the cool
breeze FOR single mement blew upon
my flashed and streaming brow, which
felt as though at the mouth ofa furnace
But this could not last long. My
limbs shook and were fast relaxing their
gripe-a mist swan before my eyes
my recollection wavered, when, thank
Heaven! / became sensible of dimin-
ution of our speed. Fresh strength in
spired me, I dashed my prisoner down
as soon as he attempted again to free
himself. Then the welcome sound of
letting of the steam-the engine stop
ped-the door opened-andI 1 was saved.
My companion was quickly secured,
and presently identified as lunatic who
escaped from confinement. To it he
was again consigned; and /, fron that
day to this, have never entered a rail