Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-21


tected, and perhaps taken at disadvan-
tage. IF allowed the villains to come
up, they would not be very particular
about their arms, as the work of killing
a man in his sleep isnot difficult. AT
length remembered place in the long
passage through which / had come where
there were two recesses. l hurried out
from my room, and glided noiselessly
along to this place, where found posi-
ton which could not have been bettered.
The recesses were directly opposite each
other, and were about four feet wide.-
One of them was for window, and the
other seemed to have originally been left
for a closet, but it had no door, and was
numbered up with old chests. went to
my room and left the lamp, and having
once more examined my pistols, 1 took
my position on one of the old chests, and
thus had great advantage in my favor,
for while it would be difficult forany one
in the passage to see me, could yet see
them plainly on account of the opposite
window, against which their forms would
be clearly revealed.
So there l sat, and at the end of half
an hour heard creaking Of the stairs.
I drew back, as far as possible; and ere
long form glided through the recess
1t was man, the very one with whom
had eaten supper, and in his hand he car
ried lantern. After him came three
men. l heard them at my door,
heard them enter my room-and in
minute more l could hear them talking
in wondering tones. For while / could
only understand that they were surmising
what could have become Of me, but at
length heard the order given to search.
l could hear that the doors between me
and my room were all opened, and the
apartments were searched. At length he
with the lantern reached the recess, and
as his lantern was raised so as to cast its
rays in, was discovered.
"Ha here you arer' the brigand
chief uttered and on the next moment
he drew his dagger.
| My pistols were both ready.
"Move this way another step, and you
die," said ].
/ But he only laughed, and came towards
me. At that moment every nerve in my
body was as still as dead mans. / took
deliberate aim at his head and fired. /
saw him stagger back, and on the next
moment two of the others were upon the
spot. l could see them plainly against
the opposite window, but they could not
see me, for their leaders light had gone
out as he let it drop upon the floor.
knew those villains meant to murder
me, and my blood was up. l took aim
again, and fired at one of the heads. In
an instant caught the other pistol and
: fired again. The last one uttered &
sharp cry, and ran towards the stairs, bu
the other two fell. 1t was full minute
before the fourth man made his appear
ance. I saw him between me and the
window, and I could see that he had 4:
weapon of some kind in his hand. "PI
do the world blessing" uttered to my
self, and with careful aim, / fired tn,
! last ball. The man gave cry and thel
staggered from my sight.
Without moments delay 1 spran
l from my retreat, and hastened to M
room where / found my lamp still burn
ing. Ny little portmanteau, had nc
u been molested, and from thence I took m
e powder and balls and reloaded my pistol
q After this had been done, I took the lam
e in one hand and pistol in the other, an
Is went out into the passage. / found th
u landlord, ostler, the boy who had give
~ me the warning, and three women gait
I cred about the spot where had shot Il
70 brigands.
'r What do you think of this n aske
The landlord was frightened and stan
+ mered out reply which could not III
derstand. He feared that | should So
le pect him, but contrived to quiet him {
SO that point, and soon afterwards we we
III below, where we found the third ms
'e whom had shot, sitting in the bar-roor
ie but he never spoke again, and died befo
a. morning. l saw that the boy was fearf
that l might expose him unintentionall
or but / soon assured him to the contrar
or for to question of the hosts as how
W. happened to be so well prepared, l a
ay swered with an easy manner:
90, it's simple enough. / knew tt
nd fellow who ate supper with me the N
Iy ment saw him, for I have met him /
k fore. When he asked me aboutmy mont
ed and warned me not to travel any furtl
ur until morning, / knew he meant to r