The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-03
Adventure MT 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. WINE
the landlord was gifted with a broad,
round head, pale face, and thin neck, the
andady had a long bony neck and face,
square Jaw, and an angular head, very
broad at the cars. Mine host was an I'M
scrupulous looking man, and mine hostess
q dangerous looking woman.
was treated to fine supper, for mine
hostess was q superb cook, and knew how
to awaken and satisfy your appetite.
only thought that if my horse was enjoy
ing his supper as we'll, | should feel con-
tented, for l had strong affection for
Ready, as I called him.
The fire was warm, and tho rain beat
against the windows; so ! settled myself
down at my meal with something of con-
tented spirit. Not so when had locked
myself into my chamber. There | was
alone, and had nothing to do but think,
while the 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
examined this bed with critical eye.
could not help smiling to myself during
the whole performance, and would have
felt like sheep if my landlord had knock
cd at the door on some crrand. 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 uudressing-an yet was uneasy
Is tried to give myself into the arms o.
Morpheus.
AT last, from sheer fatigue, fell into 8
ftful Slumbcr-a slumbcr which nearly
cost me- my life.
! had slept an hour or more, troubled
continually by the most hideous dreams,
when awollc as if by the touch of man
had left my light burning, but when
was awakened it was out. A vived tlasl
of lightning lighted up the room through
the window, so that l could have seen a
man had he been at my bedside. | coult
see no one. 4 SILVER ran through me as
pccred into the darkness, and | could fee
the touch that walked me as though a hant
lay on my body still.
The thunder that followed the lightning
was terrific; but the beating ON my hear
was louder to me than that. l was un
armed, and there was a man in the cham
Der. OF this, not my mind but my hear
was certain. 1t was not thought but fee!
ings. 1t was possible that | was awakened
By simply Il twitching of my body, which
in my waking dream, would seem like TIT
touch of hand and it was possible tina
the lamp went out for the lack OF oil, or b,
the wind that howled by periods through
the cracked boards ut the window. Yet
knew that man was in the chamber ; ant
for a moment held my breath for fear q
bringing him upon ne by even the sount
of my breathing.
In that brleI moment bethought me 0
some means of defence. The picture hat
often drawn to myself while lying awak
in tht, night was that il | should be at
tackled while III bed would seize the pill
low ADD receive the attack upon il. | dit
Ibis low, and not too soon, for form
l"aped from the side Of the bed next tn
wall and threw itself upon me. at tn
same instant the chamber was liz By an
other flash, which revealed me to the in
Keeper. | saw large knife in the al
above mo, and then it descended with al
most hiss.
lad not the pillow been my shield th
weapon would have sunk TO the lilt in m
breast; but as it was, the pillow saved me
| The knife sank through it and touched m
body, irhicting q slight flesh wound, Du
nothing more.
Course vou.' cried the innkecpcr, in
| hoarse voice, :: You have wit but have
| knife"
AS he uttered the last words he cssayc
10 Withdraw the weapon, at the same tim
grasping my pillow to wrench 1t aside
But he had miscalcuIatcd his man. Ii
M former pictures of imagination | hat
Thought, of Just what / would do unde
such circumstances and in this case | di
it exactly.
The moment the knife touChcd N
breast my right hand Was on the arm Q
the nnkeeper, and gliding rapidly down
was ON his wrist ere he could snatch ava.
the blade. My grip was usually strong
and nov the nerve of suddenly awakenc
fear and anger rendered it a tcmporar
vice.
1t was not the innkceper who succeede'
in wrcnchng aside the pillow, but myself
AS he stroye to wrench 1t one way dix
the other, ard by q Sudden tWitch
snatchcd it from his grasp, acd pushed i
with my left hand into his face, toward
which bis heavy breathing served as
guide. heard a stitled curse, and | coul
feel that he angrily clutched at thi
strange instrument Of attack not only wit
his left hand, but with the right, on whic
| had my hold.
NV ewes were becoming accustomed t
the dark-as | knew his long had-and
could see plainly enough to take instan
advantage of the position. When h
clutched with his right at the pillow,
suddenly withdrew my left hand from tn
pillow, and concentrating both hands o
which held the knife, wrenched away tn
weapon ere he could well understand m
intention. | had seen that | was dealin
with strong man, and | knew the knit
was not the only weapon about such ii vii
lain. also fancied that another aSsailanr
more furious in her strength than this mar
would soon he upon me, though l coul
neither see nor hear her.
"Haug ye." muttered the man, TAX
the knife, but lil-
He interrupted bis own speech co thru:
his hand into his breast, having hurled tn
treacherous pillow far iuto the darkness
Another flash lighted up the scene, and
| -, h,,tt AZ - install u he waS r.ln |: Id