Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-12-26

NY horse, too, seemed to be aware of our
near approach to the abode of humanity, as
he inyoluntarily increased his speed as we ap-
preached nearer the spot, on which kept my
eyes fixed with painful sensation of mingled
hore and anxiety.
A few minutes more brought me to the OBJ
ject aimed, which, to my infinite joy. found
to be small public house, and the light which
had served to conduct me thither proceeded
| from the windows.
/ hallooed as loud as was able, and pre-
sently a rough looking countryman made his
appearance at the door. inquired if could
have shelter for myself and horse during the
night; and after having received an answer
| in the affirmative, dismounted with great
difficulty; and after waiting till the latter was
properly put up in shed which served for
stable, with the assistance of mine host man
aged to walk, or rather roll, into the house
| where, round large blazing fire, were seated
the hostess, a servant girl, and two men, who,
from their appearance, and two packs which
observed lying upon the floor, / judged to
be pedlers.
| Having been disencumbered of my frozen
habiilaments. and placed before the fire the
females chafed my hands and legs; and after
1 had swallowed little mulled ale, which the
landlady strongly recommended as the most
suited to my condition, [ was conducted to
miserable upper room. where bed without
curtains, and altogether of the meanest des-
cription, had been hastily prepared for me.
/ was not, however, in condition to quarrel
with my accommodations and therefore, re-
solving to make the best of the matter, clo-
sed the rickety door, placed dilapidated
chair (the only one the room contained) against
it, threw myself upon my hard bed, and was
presently asleep.
l had not lain long before was aroused by
the sound of footsteps advancing up the creak-
ing stair case towards my apartment. | lis
tened it ceased an attempt was made to
open my door but this the chair had placed
against it prevented.
l started up and listened with breathless
| anxiety The darkness in which my room
was shrouded increased my terror-a cold
sweat bedewed my forehead-the blood rushed
back to my heart, the pulsations of which be-
came audible-my frame became almost par
alyzed with horror, and sunk back upon my
pillow, overcome with the painful intensity of
conflicting emotions Again | raised myself
and listened / could now distinctly hear
voices in conversation, which, however, pres
entity ceased, L heard the sound of footsteps
descending the staircase and gradually dying
away in the distance, and once more all was
dark, deep, dreadful silence | had now a
moment for refection--oh how horrid was
that moment! l thought of the lonely situa-
/ of the house in which / wos lodged, and
doubted not it was rendezvous for robbers
and murderers that the landlord and the
two men l had mistaken for peddlers were a
part of the gang and it was their intention to
add me to their list of victims.
Appalling as my situation on the noun
tain, excruciating as were the sufferings
there endured, l would gladly have braved
both again, to have been released from this
den of horrors.
When [ lay thus in delirious terror, sud-
denly felt the bed move under me. In an
instant l leaped from it. and ere [ could turn
round it disappeared through an open door,
which Immediately again closed. Summoning,
by frantic effort. my last expiring energies,
rushed to the window, in the hope of being
able to effect my escape; but to my utter dis
may found it secured by strong iron gra-
ting which mocked all my puny attempts to
remove it. Again heard footsteps approach
ing my apartment the door Was forced open;
slowly and stealthily, without any light. some
one entered, and cautiously passing his hand
along the wall came gradually around the
room towards the spot where stood I mo-
we'd on as well as | was able in the opposite
direction, and endeavored to elude his search
Every step that he advanced increased my
terror; my legs bent under me, and refused
to perform their Office. Already he was SO
near me that could hear him breathe-his
hand touched me-he grasped my shoulder
made sudden leap, and falling upon the
trap door it sank with me. and my head was
precipitated upon cold. damp pavement. A
loud peal of laughter instantly broke upon my
ear l got upon my feet. and looking round,
perceived by the light of the lamp which was
burning on low bench, that was in spa
cious vault, the floor of which. was neatly
covered with human limbs, and beside me lay
the headless trunk of man, who appeared to
be but lately inundated, as the blood still
flowed freely from the mangled remains.
had scarcely time to look upon the appal-
ling spectacle, ere door in one corner of the
vault opened, and the landlord and his two
associates entered, each armed with cutlass
Without uttering word, they seized me and
forced gag into my mouth. tied my legs and
arms with a cord, and threw me across the
bench
MY neck was then barred, one of the ruf6an.
knelt upon my body, another held back my
head, while the third raised his cutlass to In
flict the fatal blow.
} Already had his arm begun to descend
the glare of his polished weapon flashed upon
my ewes; 1 felt it cleaving the air as it come
nearer-when suddenly piercing shriek
! echoed through the arched dungeon--the muir
derers started from their purpose, quilted their
hold of my body, and I rolled upon the floor.
Immediately the vault was filed with soldiers.
but they were too late to secure the assassins,
!, who, on the first sound of danger had made
their escape by some secret outlet.
| The object of their search however Law