Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-05-09

We ceased to see anything, except through
breaks and openings in the clouds.
Come, john" says |, our share OF tnis
business is done. Don't you think We might as
well be getting into the ezr?o
He was hanging below Just then, holding on
BY ny two hands, and had been banging so
quietly for some minutes. He didn't seem 20
hear ne; and no wonder for the clouds were
gathering about us so quickly, that even tne
voices Of the gentlemen above rs grew muiiied,
and could hardly see for a yard before me IN
any direction. 50 ] called to bin again, and
repeated the question.
He made no answer, but shifted his grasp
from my hand TO my wrist, and then up 70 the
middle OF my arm, 50 raising himself By de-
grees, till our faces came nearly on level.
There be paused, asd felt his hot breath on
my cheek.
:" William WaIdus.n said he hOsrseIy,
"wssn't Tomorrow to have been your wedding
day 2,
Something in the tone Of his voice, in the
question, in the dusk and dreadful solitude,
struck me with horror. tried 70 snake on
his hands. bat be held too fast for that.
- Well, what IL it was % said ], after mo-
ment. . You needn't grip 80 bard. Catch
hold Of the pole, wiz you2 and let GO Of my
arms.''
He gave short, hard laugh, but never stir
red.
. suppose were ABOUT Two iloanehu As0e
highn says he. and Il seemed TO me that De
had something between his teeth. g II either
OF US was 10 fall he'd be a dead man before
be touched the grouni."
would have given the world at tha. moment
TO be able to see his face but what with my
OWE head being downward, aud all his weight
hanging to my arms, l had no more power than
an ofant-
8 John - exclaimed, what do you NEAR?
Catch hold Of the pole, and let me dothe same.
Ny heads on FIRE -
ssDO you see this Z" said he, catching my
arms a couple Of inches higher up, and looking
right into my face. "Do you see this"
1t was a large, open elssp-kOife, and be was
holding it with his teeth. His breadth seemed
TO hiss over the cold blade % ] bought it this
evening-I hid It in my belt-I waited till the
clouds came round and there was no soul to see.
Presently shall cut you away frem the bal
loon, took an oath that yos should never
have her, and mean to keep il 3"
A dimness came over my eyes, and every
thing grew red. | felt that in another minute
should be inseusible. He thought was so
already, and, letting ny arm free, made
spring at the pole overhead.
That spring saved me. Our wrists were
bound together, and as be rose be drew me
along with him for l was so faint aud giddy
tha | could make no effort for myself.
saw him hold by the pole with bis left hard;
saw bin take the knife in his right; felI
the cold steel pass between his wTist aud mine;
and then
And then, the horror Of the moment gave me
back my strength, and clung to the frame
work Just as the thong gave way
We were separated now, and was still Sc
cured TO the trapeZe by one ankle. He had
only his arm TO trust tO-and the knife.
Oh, the deadly, deadly strife that followed
it siekens me to think Of it. His only hope
Dow lay in the cursed weapon; and 50, cling
ing 70 the woodwork with one hand, be strove
to stab me with the other.
It was life or death now, and grew desper-
ate To feel his murdenoss clutch upen my
throat, and, in the silence Of that hideous strug
gle, TO hear The report of a champagne cork
followed by peal Of careless laughter-over-
head. Oh, it was worse than death, a hundred
times over
cannot tell how long we eluag thus, each
with hand upon the otser's throat II NAV
have been only few seconds but it seemed
like hours to me- The question was simply
which should be strangled first
Presently his grip relaxed, his lips bscame
dead white, and shudder ran through every
fiber Of his body. He had turned giddy?
Then a cry burst from him-a cry like moth
ing human. He made a false clutch at the
lrapezs, and reeled over. caught him, just in
time, by the belt round his waist.
+" It's al over Win me- ne grodned oetWeen
his set teeth 4" It's all-0yer with me Take
your revengeF' ~ Then his head fell heavily
back, and be hung a dead weight upon NY
arm.
did take my revenge; but it was hard
work, and Twas already half exhausted. How
/ contrived to hold him up, 10 unbiHd nv foot
and to crawl, so laden, up the ropes, is more
than can tell; but ny presence Of mind never
failed me for au instant, and suppose the ex-
citement gave me sort Of false strength while
it lasted At all events | did it, though now
only remember climbing over the basket-woTk,
and seeing the faces OF the gentlemen all
turned upon me as sank to the bottom OF the
car, scarcely more alive Than the burden In my
arms.
He is penitent ran. noW-an Auseralisn
settler, and, as l am told, well to do IN those
parts.
This is my story, and have no more to tell.