The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-02-07

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further on there was river suitable for
that purpose. When off his guard, he
could in moment be pushed into the
stream: in certain places it was sufficient
ly deep to drown him. One circumstance
perpIexed me. If he escaped, he could
adduce evidence against me. No matter:
it would be difficult to prove that | had
any intention of taking away his life
But should he be the person conceiv.
ed, he would not dare to come for
ward.
Hitherto We had ridden without ex-
changing word. Indeed, | had only
once turned my eyes upon him since we
! started. The truth was, was too busy
with my own thoughts-too intent upon
devising some plan to !iberate myself from
my unparalleled situation. now cast
my eyes furtively toward him. | shut
dered rs | contemplated his proximation
to myself | fancied already felt his
contrminsting influence. The cap, as be-
fore, was drawn over his face; the scarf
muttled closely round his chin, and only
sufficient space allowed for the purpose of
respiration. | was most desirous of know
ing who he was; indeeI, had he been
"the Man with the Iron Mask" so many
years incarcerated in the French Bastile,
he coald scarcely have cx,itcl greater
curiosity.
deemed it prudent to endeavor to
draw him into convcr alton thinking that
he might drop some expression that would
n ma L .. ..l,, l.. l..
tory. Accordingly said
Its very dark, unhealthy, night,
sir"
He made no reply. Thought he might
not have heard me.
"A bad night for travelIng"I shouted
IN loud tone of voice.
The man remained immovahle, without
in the least deigning to notice nv obser-
vation. He either did not wish to talk,
or he was de Al. II he wished to be 81.
lent, was contented to let him remain
so.
1t had not occurred to ms till now that
| had received paper from the landlord
which would inform me whittier my ex-
traOrdinary companion was To be convey
ell. My heart suddenly received new
impulse it beat with hope and cxpecta-
ton. This document might reveal 10 me
something more than was led to expect;
it might unravel the labyrinth in which |
was eutnmg' ed, aud extricate me from all
further difficulty. But how WAS to dc
cipher the writing! There was 70 other
means OF doing SO than 10y stopping the
vehicle and alighting, and endeavoring to
read it by the aid Of the lamp which,
feared, would afford but very imperfect
light, after all. Before had recourse to
this plan, | deemed it expedient to ad
dress. once more, my tacituru comprn-
ion.
"Where am to drive you to ~ in,
quired in SO loud voice that the mare
started oil at II brisker pace, ~ though
had been speaking to her. receivei nc
| reply, and, without further hesitation
drew IN the reinS, pulled the paper from
my pocket, anl aIightrd. | walked TO the
lamp, aud held the paper as near to it a.
l could. The hand writing was not very
legibIe, aud the light afforded me WAS 81
weak that had great difficulty to dis.
cover its meaning. The words were few
and pointed. The reader will judge o.
my surprise when read the following la
comic sentence:
Drive the gentleman to Grayburn
Churchyard n
was moro alarmed than ever; my
limbs shook violently, aud in an instant
felt the blood fly from my cheeks
What did my employer mean by i'm.
posing such task upon me! Ny for
titude in some degrees returned, and
walked up to the mare an lpatted her OF
the neck.
Poor thing-poor thingr 1 SAID
YOU have long journey before you, and
it may be dangerous one"
looked at my companion, but he ap
peared to take no notice Of my actions
and seemed rs indifferent as If he were q
corpse. | again resumed my seat, and
IN part consoled myself with the prospect
oi being speedily rid of him in someway
or other, as the river have already a.!
luded 10 was now only two or three miles
distant. My thoughts now lurne to the
extraordinary place TO which was t.
drive-Grayburn Cnurchyard +! What
could the man 10 there ut that hour ol
the nighti Had ho somebody to meet
something 10 see or obtain II was in.
colnprehensible-beyond the possibility
of human diyination. Was ho insane !:
or was he bent upon an erTand perfectly
rational, although for the present wrap
ped in the most impene,rable mystery
| am at n loss for language adequate to
convey proper notion of my feelings on
that occasion. lie shall never arrive,
internally calculated, at Gray burn Church.
yard ; he shall never pass beyond the
stream which even now | almost heard
murmuring in the distance Heaven for.
give me for hsgboring such intentions =
But when effected that | might be as.
sisting au assassin to fy from justice,
conceived | was acting perfectly correct
in adopting any means (no matter how
badD for The obgiation OF such consum.
nation. For aught | knew, bis present