Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-02-21


''No doubt" said l, with meaning
nod "but l would prefer taking them
with me-
This conclusion was received rather
cody, and as I was preparing to leave
the room, one of the men espied the ham
die of my revolver protruding from be-
meath my coat
''Hello, stranger" he exclaimed in
quick tone, "let's sec that ere pistol,
will your" So sudden had been the de-
mand, and in such seeming innocent GU
riosity, that l put my hand back to give
it to him. But second thought decided
me, and replied, "that it was no great
curiosity, and I would show it to him in
the morning"
BY this time the men had gathered
around me, and seeing things looked
rather peculiar, I backed myself through
the door, followed by the host. When
the door was closed, | could hear loud
murmuring, and an oath or two, uttered
in vehement tones.
The landlord hurried me up a feeble
pair of stairs, and few yards from the
landing, pushed open door and babe
me enter. | glanced around the apart
ment, and showed by my action, that l
was dissatisfied with its appearance.
at is the best can do for you, stran-
ger" said he, land you needn't be afraid
of the fellows down stairs, they won't
hurt anybody
II shall not be alarmed" l replied,
as he closed the door and descended the
steps. | was somewhat annoyed at the
appearance of things, and determined to
place myself in the best possible position
of defence. examined my quarters
closely, and found the door had no fas-
tening whatever, nor was anything con-
venient with which it could be secured.
Determined not to be bafled, | tore a
strip of board from the wall, and with
my knife cut piece sufficiently long to
make brace from the lower cleat of the
door to the floor. Then with my pocket
knife | bored holes in the casing at the
upper end, and drawing several nails
from the wall | drove them in with the
handle of my large knife. Having ex-
amined the walls, and apprehending no
treachery from them, secured the WIN
dow, aud then turned my attention to the
floor. Beneath the bed | discovered a
trap door, and its discovery made my hair
stand on end. found it opened down
ward, and the possibility of securing it
strongly seemed hopeless.
Once | thought of removing the bed,
and then watching, as a trapper does a
hole in the ice for game. But that would
not do, for should | successfully repulse
the first intruder-for I no longer had a
doubt of being in Robbers Roost-it
would leave hole open which would ex-
pose me to their fire. At length a plan
came to my relief. I moved the bed
from over the door. and taking the clothes
of, | threw the chaf bed upon the floor,
and directly over the suspected trap. But
oh horror what discovery, / made
The bed was saturated with blood, and
in many places hard from the gore which
had dried in it.
Having thus fortified myself, I took
seat on one end Of the bed, with my sad
die bags close by me, my knife in one
hand, and my revolver in the other, and
my ammunition convenient in case
should need it. | blew out my light and
in darkness awaited the denouement oe
the plot. How long had waited ! could
not tell, but in spite of my perious stu
alton, my eyes grew heavy, and l was
almost overcome with sleep. But an easy
moving of the bed aroused all my per-
ccptive faculties, and in an instant was
wide awake. IL moved several times
quite easy, and then all became quiet. |
listened a few moments but could hear
nothing. Presently faint whisper from
an adjoining room came; my eyes fol-
lowed the direction, and / saw small
stream of light pouring through an open.
ing in the partition. | stole softly to the
spot, and listened moment ! then
put my eye to the opening and had fair
view OF the operations inside
So horrible was the sight | then be-
held, that its recollections will never be |
erased from my memory. Hanging from
the bed, and with bis head nearly sew
cred from his body, was an old, grey
headed man, while the purple current of
life was steadily streaming from the cash
| reeled moment with dizziness, aud |
was about TO withdraw from the scene,
when the door opened very softly, and
person entered. looked again, and three
of the men had seen in the bar room
we're standing near the dead man.
why, Hans" said one, 81 thought
you had fixed him by this time"
"We'll have trouble with that custo-
mer," said Hans, shaking his bed, che
is up to something, he put his head over
the trap"
"The devil" they both exclaimed, and
ooked at each 9th err in surprise.
owe must manage him, somehow"
said Hans, "for he has money, ! am GER
tain Of that"
Hadn't we better attend TO that ere
gal frstf' suggested one.
Eyes, the old man is fixed, now for
tho oal.m and rickinO nm fhc liOhL they }