The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-03-10

other, he replied" Dick went to bed," and
gave them significant glance He then
turned, and requested me to follow him.
Having taken my valise, / babe the others
good night. He lead me up the same
stairs, to the second floor, if it might be
dignifed with the title, which consisted OF
two rooms, opposite each other Pointing
to one of these, he gave me light, and as
he turned to depart, said:
stranger, this house is kivered with
rats, and if you hear any queer noises, you
needn't be skeered."
"All right, sir" Ireplied, and then, with
and went down stairs. [ surveyed my
apartment 1t was small room, the fur
niture consisting of rude cot and chair,
the delapidated appearance of which proved
that it had experienced better days. l
was about to lock the door, when / discov-
cred that there was only rude wooden
latch to secure it. However, placed my
valiSe on the chair, and the latter against
the door. After had done this, discov-
cred small window few feet above my
bed. Getting upon the latter, | softly
raised the sash and reconnoitered. Imme-
diately beneath, and within easy reach,
was small wooden shed; once upon this,
| could easily descend to the ground and
escape. determined to attempt this when
the others were asleep. | threw myself
on the bed to await this period, leaving my
candle burning. At first it required great
effort on my part to keep from going to
sleep, for weary travel and long exposure
to the storm had exhausted me. Having
lain about half an hour, heard a slight
noise; listened intently, and a moment
after the sound was repeated, which seem
ed like some one breathing. Then, for the
first time, l recollected that / had notlook-
ed under the bed. Perhaps there might
be a man secreted there to murder me.
| remembered the strange fellow whom
they had called "Dick," had remained up
stairs.
All was quiet beneath. thought that
they might have retired, leaving their COM
rade to dispatch me, and | determined to
end my suspense by looking under the
bed. Fortunately, my candle was still
burning. The sides of my cot were orna-
mented with muslin curtains, which reached
the floor. Despite my previously formed
resolution, it was some time before | could
muster energy enough to raise this. At
length, however, l stopped softly over,
pushed the muslin aside, ana saw the OBJ
ect of my suspicion, the Dick" lying I'M
der the bed, with his face towards the wall
For moment / scarcel y breathed, fearing
he might discover me; but, Judge of my
indispensable relief on discovering that he
slept Fortunately, there was a small vial
of chloroform in my valise. With this l
could easily drug him, and then escape, for
| was now certain that the others had re-
tired, thinking this villain could accomplish
his purpose unaided This plan | deter
mined to carry into execution. According
ly [ crept out, and having reached the va
lise, unlocked it and secured the fluid
Having moistened small piece of sponge
with portion of it, | stopped down by the
side of the cot and applied it to his nos
trils. Having allowed it time to take eff
feet, commenced my preparations for es-
cape.
Assuring myself that all was safe, Sc
cured my valise, extinguished my light,
mounted upon my bed, lifted out the sash,
and Il moment after was upon the roof.
The rain had stop I'd, but The wind blew
furiously. This, | 'yever, was fortunate
circumstance, as the noise occasioned there
by prevented them from hearing me. The
shed sloped down to within some ten feet
of the ground. Approaching the edge, l
softly dropped my valise; then, holding to
the caves with my hands for moment, I
let go, and landed unframed Gathering
up my valise, pushed on towards my des-
tination. After three hours incessant
walking, arrived, wet and weary, at the
village of l.. l Immediately pro-
ceeded to the magistrates house, woke him
him up, and narrated my adventure. Ear
ly in the morning, | returned with a pos
Sc of citizens to the rendezvous. Arriv-
ing there, we found all its inmates had fed :,
save him to whom had administered the
chloroform. He was still under the bed,
asleep We waited awhile, hoping the
others might return; but, as they did not,
we bound the rascal and conveyed him
away. When he recovered his senses, he
found himself between four stone walls, and
in possession of jewels more durable than
elegant.