The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-03
Adventure nj n Canadian Inn.

increased the darkness Of the cloudy night
that | could proceed no further on my way,
and accordingly had put up at this crazy
inn, in which now fonnd myself. While
the landlord was gifted with broad,
round head, pale face, and thin neck, the
landlady had long bony neck and face,
square jaw, and an angular head, very
broad at the ears. Mine host was an I'M
scrupulous looking man, and mine hostess
o dangerous looking woman.
] was treated to fine supper, for mine
hostess was superb cook, and knew how
to awaken and satisfy your appetite. !
only thought that if my horse was enjoy
ing his supper as well, l should feel con-
tented, for l had q strong affection for
Ready, as called him.
The FIRE was warm, and the rain beat
against the windows; so | settled myself
down at my meal with something of O con-
tented spirit. Not SO when had locked
myself into my chamber. There / was
alone, and had nothing to do but think,
while tie rain poured down upon the sky
light, and the thunder shook the house.
A man need not fear, but he may be
cautious. Twas cautious; and by the dim
light of the lamp carefully examined the
walls, the door, the windows, and skylight,
the Fireplace, and lastly the bed. 1t was
only two days before that had read Of an
inn in France where it had been discover
ed that missing travellers were disposed of
by machinery connected with the bed; so
I examined this bed with critical eye.
| could not help smiling to myself during
II, n,,lI 10 va
felt like sheep if my landlord had knock
cd at the door on some GRAND. But you
know how it is if u man once gets his
suspicious aroused under such circum-
stances he is very apt to do as did.
! had discovered nothing unusual in the
walls door, window, skylight, or bed-on
the latter of which had thrown myself
without undressing yet l was uneasy
- tried to give myself into the arms OF
Morpheus.
Az last, from sheer fatigue, fell into a
f;ful slumber-a slumber which nearly
cost me my life.
| had slept an hour or more, troubled
continually by the most hileous dreams,
when awoke as if by The touch of a man.
I had left my light burning, but when |
was awakened it was out. A vived fash
of lightning lighted up the room through
the window, so that | could have seen a
mau had be been at my bedside. | could
see no one. 4 shiver ran through me as
peered into the darkness, and l could feel
the touch that walked me as though hand
lay on my body still.
The thunder that followed the lightning
was terrific; but the beating on my heart
WAS louder to me than that. | was un-
armed, and there was a man in the cham
Der. OF this, not my mind but my heart
was certain. 1t was not thought but feel
ings. 1t was possible that was awakened
by simply Il twitching of my body, which
in my waking dream, would seem like the
touch of hand and it was possible that
the lamp went out for the lack OF oil, or by
the wind that howled by periods through
the cracked boards at the window. Yet
knew that man was in the chamber; and
for moment l held my breath for fear o
bringing him upon NE by even the sound
Of my breathing.
LIN that brlel moment bethought me o.
some means of defence. The picture | had
often drawn to myself while lying awake
in the night was that if | should be at.
tackled while III bed l would seize the pill
low autl receive the attack upon il. | did
this low, and not too soon, for form
laaped from the side Of the bed next the
wall AID threw itself upon me. AT the
same instant the chamber was liz by an
other flash, which revealed me to the in.
keeper. 1 saw large knife in the all
above me-, and then it descended with al.
most a hiss.
lad not the pillow been my shield the
weapon would have sunk to the hilt in my
breast but as it was, the pillow saved me
The knife sank through it and touched my
body, irhicting slight flesh wound, but
nothing more.
Course Won - cried the innkccpcr, in 6
hoarse voice, You have wit but have Z
knife"
As he uttered the last words he essaycC
10 withdraw the weapon, At the same time
graspng my pillow to wrench 1t aside
Bnr he had miscalculatcd his man. In
my former pictures of imagination l had
thought of Just what I would do under
such circumstances; and in this case die
it exactly.
The moment the knife touched my
breast my right hand was on the arm O
the innkeeper, and gliding rapidly down
was ON his wrist ere he could snatch away
the blade. My grip was usually strong
and nov the nerve of suddenly awakened
fear and anger rendered it temporary
vice.
1t was not the innkeeper who succeeded
in wrcnchng aside the pillow, but myself
As he Strove to wrench Ii one way did
the other, ard by a sudden witch
&natchcd it from his grasp, aGd pushed it
with nv left hand into his face, toward
which bis heavy breathing served IS q
guide. heard a stiHed curse, and coulC
feel that he angrily clutched at this
strange instrument Of attack not only will
his left hand, but with the right, on which
| had my hold.
NV ewes were becoming accustomed t.
the dark-as | knew his long had-and
could see plaiDly enough to take instant
advantage of the position. When he
clutched with his right at the pillow,
suddenly withdrew my left hand from the
pillow, and concentrating both hands or
which held the knife, wrenched away the
weapon ere he could we'll understand my
intention. | had seen that | was dealnl
with . strong man, and | knew the knife
was not the only weapon about such IA vii
lain. also fancied that another assailant
more furious in her strength than this man
would soon he upon me-, though | coult
neither see nor hear her.
Chang ye Z" nuttered the man, "tak'
the knife, but Pill
He interrupted bis own speech 60 thrus
his hand into his breast, having hurled tn,
treacherous pillow far iuto the darkness
Another flash lighted up the scene, and
saw the butt OF pistol as he was p!uckinI
il forth from bis breast. At the same mo