Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-03-06

"Will you leave your saddle bags?' - said
he, with bland smile, as he extended his
monstrous band to take them
No sir" | replied while heavy frown
gathered on my brow.
II have very safe place to keep them
he rejoined. while his blood-shot eyes stab
bed me to the heart.
mo doubt." said I, with meaning
nod; ; but would prefer taking them with
me"
This conclusion was received rather cool
ly, and as / was preparing to leave the
room, one of the men espied the handle
of my revolver protruding from beneath
my coat.
Hello, stranger! he exclaimed in a
quick tone. ''let's see that 'erc pistol, will
you" So sudden had been the demand.
and in such seeming innocent curiosity,
tha. | put my hand back to give it to him.
But second thought decided me, and re-
piled. "that it was no great curiosity, and
| would show it to him in the morning."
By this time the men had gathered
around me, and seeing things looked rather
peculiar, 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 feeble pair
Of stairs, and few yards from the landing
pushed open door and babe me enter. l
glanced around the apartment, and showed
by my action, that l was dissatisfied with
its appearance.
1T is the best I can do for you, stranger" i"
said he, land you needn't be afraid of the
fellows down stairs, they won't hurt any
body"
II shall not be alarmed" I replied. as be
closed the door and descended tho steps. l
was somewhat annoyed at the appearance Of
things. and determined to place myself in
the best possible position of defence. ex-
amined my quarters closely. and found the
door had no fastening whatever, nor was
anything convenient with which it could be
secured.
Determined not to be bafaed. I tore a
strip of board from the wall, and with my
knife cut piece sufficiently long to make a
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 I drove
them in with the handle of my large knife.
Having examined the walls, and apprehend-
ing no treachery from them. 7 secured the
'na Baas.tb .hsa tqf ,Is E 6ed 5:co;s;ad ::
a trap door. and its discovery made my hais
stand on end. / found it opened downward.
and the possibility Of securing it strongly
seemed hopeless.
Once l thought of removing the bed. and
then watching. as a trapper does hole in
the ice for game. But that would not do,
for should I successfully repulso the 6rst
intruder-for no longer had doubt OF
being in Robbers Roost--it would leave
a hole open which would expose me to their
Ere. At length plan came to my relief.
[ moved the bed from over the door, and
taking the clothes of, threw the chaff bed
upon the floor, and directly over the suspec-
ted trap. But oh horror what discove.
ry. l made. The bed was saturated with
blood, and in many places hard from the
gore which had dried iu it.
Having thus fortified myself, took a seat
on one end of the bed, with my saddle bags
close by me, my knife in one hand and my
revolver in the other, and my ammunition
convenient in case should need it. I blew
out my light and in darkness awaited the
denouement of the plot. How long had
waited could not tell. but in spits of my
perilous situation, my eyes grew heavy, and
was almost overcome with sleep. But an
easy moving of the bed aroused all my per-
ceptlve faculties, and in an instant I was
wide awake. 1t moved several times quite
easy, aad then ak became quiet. listened
few moments but could hear nothing -
Presently faint whisper from an adjoining
room came my eyes followed the direction,
and | saw small stream of light pouring
through an opening in the partition. /
stole softly to the spot. and listened mo-
ment. l then put my eye to the opening
and had fair view Of the operations inside.
So horrible was the sight then beheld,
that its recollections will never be erased
from my memory. Hanging from the bed.
and With his head nearly severed from his
body. was an old. greyheaded man. while
the purpule current Of life was steadily
."ii 'ho Sdeu EeelSu mo-
ment with dizziness, and was about to with
draw from the scene. when the door opened
very softly. and a person entered. looked
again. and three Of the men had seen in
the bar-room were standing near the dead
man.
Why. Hans" said one. Il thought you
had fixed him by this time"
well have trouble with that custom
err" said Hans. shaking his bed. "he is up
to something. be put his bead over the
trap"
The dewitt" they both exclaimed. and
looked at each other in surprise.
I'VE must manage him somehow" said
Hans. ''for be has money. am certain Of
that"
Hadn't We better attend to that ere gal
6st ?" suggested one.
''Yes. the old man is fixed, now for the
gall" and picking up the light. they left the
roon."
What girl? =? thought I. Is it possible that
|