The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-04-21

cross the eroad and accost him. In reply to what
was obviously question, the porter, with the
gesticulations of Frenchman, pointed, with
his thumb to the hotel, and vigorously nodded
his head. The man crossed over again to the
pavement, came on until he was opposite the
hotel, caught sight of me through the window,
and abruptly turning on his heel walked Oft in
the direction taken by the porter.
thought nothing of this. The man, con-
jectured, probably, wanted the job | had given
to the porter. He was communicating fel-
low, dressed in leather CATERS, blouse,
slouched cap and belt. There was nothing
singular in his face. He was dark, with black
beard aud moustache. He was familiar type
of the middle-aged peasant of Southern France
Having discharged my bill, walked to the
railway station. On one platform there was
much tumult, train from Paris having just
arrived. But upon the platform against which
stood the train that was to bear me tothe north,
1 counted only five people, exclusive of por-
ters.
But I had little time for observation. The
train would leave in three minutes. saw my
portmanteau slowed away in the luggage van,
procured myself frst-class ticket and took my
seat.
Ehe shrill whistle of the guard sounded. The
engine gave snort and the line of carriages
clanked to their chains as they frightened to- the
strain. Suddenly several voices, cried, "Stop
stop! Now, then, quick Which class-frst?
Let's see your ticket Right Here you are
jump in !" The door of my carriage was open
ed, form bounded in, the door was slammed,
there was another shrin whistle and off went
the train.
| looked at my companion. He was the man
whom had noticed speak to the porter and
stare in the window of my hotel.
I'LL Nv 0crQ no
had greatly shaken my nervous system; and the
apparition of the man whom felt ought to
suspect sent chill through my blood. AS
peasant, which he was-not expressed in dress,
but in hands, which were dirty, rough and hOr-
/ ny-what did he do in frst-class carriage? l
would have given something to have exchanged
carriages. But there was no communication
with the guard. Moreover, the train, as have
told you, was an express, and did notstop until
run of sixty miles had been accomplished.
We were now bowling away with great rapidity.
The man sat- screwed up in corner away
from me, immovable. He appeared to be look
ing through the window at the country as it
whirled by but there was an distracted ex-
preston in his gaze which indicated that he
saw nothing. His arms were folded upon his
breast. Though he must have been conscious
of my scrutiny, he never turned his eyes upon
me. His lips, / saw, were tightly compressed
and he breathed slowly, but deeply, through his
nose, the nostrils of which dilated to thcsteady
respiration.
began after a little to regain my composure.
struggled to laugh down my fears. What, l
thought, had to fear from man had never
seen-who had never seen me? The thing was
preposterous. I extracted a paper from my
pocket and commenced to read. / might have
spoken to him, only imagined that man in
Y s-l,t L., of
my French, which did not speak with good
accent. Besides, there was something that re-
PEELED all approach in his immobility. .
Half an hour passed away. All at once,
over the edge of my newspaper, saw him put
his hand out of the window, as if to open the
door. had no time to conjecture his inten-
tions, when, with wild screaming whistle, We
hurled into the night of long tunnel.
The rapid disappearance OF daylight made
the oil lamp suspended in the carriage emit but
the dullest light for some minutes.
j laid the newspaper down with all my old
fears revived in me. I had scarcely done SO
when saw the outline of man rise in the
| carriage He leaped over to me where was
seated. I saw the CLEAN of a knife in the air.
Mad with passion and surprise, grasped the
descending arm. A furious determination to
preserve my life inspired me with the strength
of giant. The ferocity with which l seized
the wrist forced the hand open. The knife fell,
| and then commenced silent, furious struggle.
He seized me by the collar and clung with
the tenacity of tiger. / heard him swapping
his teeth as if he were endeavoring to bite.
We swayed from one end of the carriage to the
other felt how weak i'll health had left me,
and prayed to pass out into the light, that l
might the better see how to encounter the ruff
| fan
Suddenly felt myself swung around with
tremendous energy. bounded against door
which opened, and we fell on the lines in the
very center of the tunnel.
The fall seemed to have stunned him, for he
fell under me and remained there for time
motionless. For myself received an inde-
scribable shock, such as is experienced in col
lision but retained my senses. | heard the
roar of the train dying away in the distance.
I saw the red gleam fading like the eye of
diving demon. I still clutched. him by the
throat, nor did dare relinquish it. My situa-
ton was frightful. suspected that down
train would soon be passing, and in the intense
blackness of the tunnel l could not see on
which line we had fallen. / would have
stretched forth my hand to grope for the rails;
I might have found place of safety by judg-
ing Of the distance between them but felt the
! form of my assailant commencing to writhe be-
meath me- His struggles grew fercer. He en-
deavored to rise, but with the fury of despair I
kept him pressed down, one hand on his throat,
the other on his breast What desired was to
render him insensible. would then leave him
in the darkness, and grope my way as l could.
1t rever occurred to me at the time that there
was no need to make him insensible in order to
elude him. The darkness would have rendered
my presence invisible to him. But my mind
was hopel ,ssly confused l was breathing
sulphurous air made thick and difficult by its
blackness. My only thought was to keep the
rufian Down. 1 was only capable, indeed, of
this thought.
A few minutes had elapsed when I heard
distant rumbling like approaching thunder. 1t
increased. 1 seemed 10 feel wind blowing
..:.4 49,, f,oo T tecfod too n continuous