Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-03

silently to the bed 1t was slowly sink
ing to the floor. We looked at each 9th
er.
The work of blood has begun said
Herman, in a fearful whisper. Death
Is here as well as OIL yon couch Deliv-
erance is not here, and it may be where
the couch will lead us. Dare YOU try
it?' .
Il dare =
Enough, follow me-
We threw ourselves carefully upon the
bed in the attitudesof men in profound
slumber, with our armed hands between
us and the coverlet The couch contin-
ued to descend very gently, and noise
lessly, and slowly-down down down
1t seemed to me an age. l would have
given worlds, were it in my power, to
have our descent and our fate FASTENED
but it was not to be. We were to suffer
the agony of an uncertain and protracted
doom. We continued to descend, slow
ly as before, and as noiselessly-with
nothing to meet us on the way-no lig ht,
no executioner to break the monotony of
our agony.
at length resigned myself silently to
the terrible torture, and threw out my
hand. 1t struck against the wall. By
the feeling in my knuckles, was sud
denly rejoiced to find that we had begun
to descend faster than before.
Thank God p l exclaimed, we are
nearing our journeys end
h;.sh J whispered my companion !;
we are nearing vault. 1 know it by
the peculiarly OF the air. Be ready for
a spring.
My mind was made up-my trust put
in my destiny and | felt no longer the
length of time consumed by the descen-
sion of the bed. In few minutes the
air came sweeping all around us.
We are in vault spring, in Gods
name =
lie passed over me, and l Immediately
followed in the wake.
Your hand, and tread lightly whis-
pered Herman.
We had scarcely passed twenty PAGES
in the darkness, when the faint rays of a
torch loomed, like the rays of the moon
through the vault
Stoop, and crawl forward, whispered
my companion.
We fell upon our knees, and side by
side crawled forward.
Our victims are in the tolls said
voice behind us.
Unconsciously turned my head, and
beheld five persons descending flight
of stairs, Immediately behind the bed
They descended slowly, and approached
the bed. One of the party raised
torch, while the others raised their hands
Now" cried voice.
And five hands, each armed with a
poignard, Immediately fell upon the
couch. No groan followed and discov-
ering the state of things, everything was
in moment in state of wild confusion
g Furies furies p cried voice
they have escaped. They must be
here-spread through the vault !"
In moment We heard steps behind,
beside, and ahead of us There was but
one torch, however, to guide them, and
they made but slight progress.
Run - cried voice, which imme-
diately recognized as that of the Inn
keeper run for more lights"
Meanwhile we crept towards the right
side of the vault and crept into niche
in the wall
Leaning back, we felt dead weight
upon our backs, and We stopped forward
gently to shake ii off. The next moment
q ioiI, iihC tistt vi tNo oollu DOultS,
on the earth. The effusion that saluted
our nosrils warned us of the terrible
fact that it was two corpses that we had
so uneeremoniously disturbed.
AT this moment, another light appear
ed upon the staircase, together with a
form, which despite the long robe envelo-
ping it from neck TO heel, we were assur-
ed was that of female.
In few moments the women passed
as to assist her companions. Still creep
ing through the gloom, we continued to
to crawl towards the staircase
Ho come forth or expect no mer-
cy y suddenly exclaimed the voice of the
Inm-keeper.
A short pause succeeded. Meanwhile
we continued our course till we had reach
ed the earth Immediately under their
couch
"We must smoke them OUT" said the
Innkeeper. Ho Hans, run up and