Squatter sovereign., 1855-09-04

little ones rising up to male and female
feahood, the youngest, darling black
eyed lobster tailed baby, whose innocent
lips had never tasted human blood. And
l had made them orphans. Painfully af-
fecting thought. "
CHApTRR II.-From the partial un-
consciousness of incipient slumber I was
awakened by the creaking of the closet
door. whence slowly immerged, to my ut
ter amazement and horror, the apparition
of human head, its face covered with hair,
its eyes glaring upon the bed, and the re-
tracted lips revealing teeth firmly clcnched
together, as if in the desperation of some
deadly purpose. For moment endeav-
ored to persuade myself that the alarming
object was unreal, the coinage of some
hideous nightmare; but this hope was
quickly dispelled, for the intruder STEALTH
ly advanced his whole body, and now I
perceived that his uplifted right hand held
large Bowie knife. Not doubling that
his purpose must be robbery, instinct sug-
gested that my only chance of escape con-
sisted in pretending to be fast asleep. An
irresistible curiosity, however induced me
peep through the lashes of my unopen-
ed eyes, upon the approaching figure, who,
with his dangerous weapon. stole ON tip
toe nearer and nearer the bed. The tears
of detection overpowering every other con-
sideration, closed my eyes completely,
breathed heavily as if in profound sleep,
and awaited my fate with an inward per-
turbation Of soul completely at variance
with my pretended tranquility. Az this
fearful crisis, when could not see what
was passing, the uncertainty of my i'm
pending fate became almost intolerable.
and an hour seemed to pass between eve
ry football as listened to his steps, eve-
ry sound of which, however subdued, seem.
ed to pierce into the center of my brain.
Oh what relief it was to my feelings
when heard him whisper: a<.'
"Hell and fury this is not Robinson
Curses on him, yet this is the bed room
Hal see how it is, he bas given up his
bed to this stranger, whom have half a
mind to stab for robbing me ofmy revenge.
No use no use-unless he awakes -
meantime will examine his trunk and
see what can pick up"
Venturing once more to peep from un-
der my eyelids, for guessed that his back
was now turned; saw him take from be-
side the glass my watch and purse, which
he buried into his pocket with noiseless
alacrity; procedure which rather pleas
ed than vexed me, since trusted that the
obtaining. of this booty would induce him
to decamp from the room as quietly as he
had entered it.
So far, however, from afording me this
satisfaction, he unlocked my dressing case,
which had placed on the table, drew forth
a razor and opened it, and cast sudden
glance toward the bed. My eyes were
at once closed, but had seen enough in
the fell expression of his face to make me
apprehend that my doom was sealed, and
that the ruffian had determined to cut my
throat. Guess my relief OF mind, as well
as my astonishment, when saw that he
had laid down the knife and was hastily
shaving himself. Having succeeded in
that job, hoped he would take his booty
and leave me to my own company. and in
fact he was about deeamping, when he
stopped to examine the dressing case, Out
! of which he had obtained the razor. To
the loss OF my watch and purse was al
ready reconciled, but as the corner of the
case he was now oyerhauiing contained
bank notes and bills of exchange of grca,
value to a poor poet like myself. could
not resist the impulse Of slightly moving
my head. and of fully opening my eyes,
that might ascertain whether my hidden
treasure had escaped discovery, an attemp,
in which thought there could be no risk
as his back was still towards me. Unfor-
tunately, however, my change of posture,
slight as 1t was enabled him to see in the
glass my open eyes intently watching him,
discovery which he had no sooner made
than he muttered a fearful threat, snatch
ed up the knife and rushed toward me.
But the instinct of self preservation is as
quick as lightning. In second ] DASH
ed the wick into the oil, and under cover
Of total darkness rolled out of bed on the
opposite side; drawing the clothes over
me, remaining extended on the; floor be-
meath them. Terror now took entire pos
session of me, / trembied Ike an aspen
leaf. my hear. beat violently, / gave my
self up for lost. M
The assassin was now between me and
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