Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-02

passed out of the hut. listened-Oh, no,
eagerly! 1t seemed to me that, through tn
imperfectly-joined crevices CT the log-waIl.
L could plainly hear voices whispering.
would have given worlds to lave crept neal
er to listen, but was fearful of Gisturbin
the fancied security Of our host, who no,
felt certain had sinister designs upon US. s
l remained per fectly still. The whisperip
snddenly ceased. The half-breed re-entere,
the hut in the same stealthy way in whicI
ne had quilted it, and after giving a scrutin
izing glance at me, once more stretched
himself upon the floor and affected to sleep
In few moments pretended to awake :
3yawned, looked at my watch, and finding
that my hour had more than expired, pro
tceeded to wake Dick. AS turn ed him ou
of bed | whispered in his ear, "Dont TAXI
your eye off that fellow, Dick He has &C
complies outside; be careful!" Dick gave
meaning glance, carelessly touched his
4Eeyolser, as much as to say,SeHere's some.
thing to interfere with his little arsange-
nents," and took his seat on the pine-stump
| IN such position as to command view of
the sleeping half-breed and the doorway a,
| the same time.
This time, though horribly tired, could
not sleep. A horrible load seemed pressing
on my chest, and every five minutes | would
start up to see if Dick was keeping his
watch faithfully. My nerves were strung
to a frightful pitch of tensity; my heart
beat at every sound. and my head seemed 10
throb until thought my temples would
burst. The more reflected on the con-
duct of the half-breed, the more assured
was that he intended murder. Full Of this
idea, took my revolver from its sling, and
held it in my hand, ready to shoot him down
at the first movement that appeared at all
dangerous. A haze seemed now to pass a.
cross my eyes. Fatigued with long watch
ing and excitement, passed into that semi
conscious stale, in which | seemed perfect
ly aware of every thing that passe1, al
though objects we're dim and dull in outline.
and did not appear SO sharply defined as in
ones waking moments. | was apparently
reused from this state bv slight cracking
sound. started, and raised myself on nv
elbow. Ny heart almost ceased to beat at
what saw. The haIi-breed had lit some
species OF dried herb which sent out strong
aromatic odor as it burned. This herb he
was holding directly under Dicks nostrils,
who now perceived, to my horror, was
wrapped in profound slumber. The smoke
of this mysterious herb appeared to deprive
him of all consciousness, for he rolled gent
ly off of the pine log, and lay stretched up
on the floor. The nalf-breed now stole to
the door, and opened it gently. Three sim
lister heads peeped in out of the gloom.
saw the long barrels of rifles, and the huge
brawny hands that clasped them. The half
breed pointed significantly to where lay
with his long bony finger, then drawing a
large, thirsty-looking knife from his breast
moved toward mo. the time was Come
My blood s'opped-my neart ceased to beat
The half-breed was within foot OF my bed;
the knife was. raised; another instant and it
would have been buried in my heart, when.
with hand as cold as ice, lifted ny re-
volver, took deadly aim, and fired!
A stunning. report, dull groan, huge
cloud OF smoke curling around me, and I
found myself standing upright, with dark
mass lying at my feet.
"Great God! what have you done, Sir!"
cried the half-breed, rushing toward me-
"You have killed him! He was iust about
to wake you
l staggered against the wall My senses
until then immersed in sleep, suddenly re-
covered their activity. The frightful truth
burst upon me in flash. | had shot Dick
Linton while under the influence of night
mare! Then every thing seemed to fade
away, remember no MORE
There was trial, believe. The lawyers
were learned, ard proved by physicians that
it was case of what is called Somnolentia,
or sleep-druLkenness; but of the proceed
ings | took no heed. One form haunted me
lying black and heavy on the hut floor; and
one pale face was ever presented--a face |
saw once after the terrible catastrophe, and
never saw agaln--the wild, despairing face
of Bertha Linton, my promised bride!