The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-09
VOLUME 2.

up here, but L did not wish to do so, as
l thought it might cause the tavern
keeper to think that We suspected he
would rob US if he got the opportunity
"Good Godr cried, then we shall
have to stand still, and be killed like
sheep when slaughtered by the butchers.
What need you have cared for the mans
suspicious as long as We had something
to defend ourselves with? Oh, Georgel
you have acted very rashly.'
"'My dear Annie, we've got into scrape,
and now we must get out of it as best we
can. We must put our trust in luck, and
hope we shall escape bodily harm
mot in luck, George, bnt in God
solemnly replied.
"Our conversation had been carried on
in whispers, for we were afraid OF being
overheard. About twelve o'clock the
tavern-keeper knocked at our door and
asked: Are you asleep, and is there any
thing you wish to have brought to you"
My husband answered in the negative.
Three hours elapsed, when the same
question was repeated. George made no
reply, but, with slender, though heavy
log of wood in his appraised hands, stood
near the door, ready to attack the first
person who entered. lay, trembling in
an agony of fear, stretched upon the bed.
The suspense was awful, and was al
most crazed with terror
"My eyes were fastened on the door,
and my husband, who, statue-like, stood
beside it. The door had neither lock
nor bolt, so anybody could enter the
room easily. Suddenly 1 perceived it
move slightly, and by degrees it opened
wide enough to permit man to come in.
To my great horror, l saw, through the
aperature made by the opening of the
door, the tavern-keeper, and in his right
hand he clutched large bowie-knife.
He thrust in his head cautiously, and as
he did so, my husband struck him
heavy hlow with his rude weapon. The
wretch, without giving vent to a cry or
even a groan, fell to the floor like dead
weight.
"'You've killed him, George cried,
though hardly above whisper.
'''No, he's only stunned. Just hand
me that cord lying on the table, and I'll
pinion his arms SO that he won't be able
to give us any trouble when he regains
his senses
81 obeyed my husbands orders, and he
quickly bound the Villains arms and
feet, SO that it would be impossible for
him to move when he came to. At the
first sign of consciousness that he show
ed, George gagged him, and then carried
him to large closet, placed him in it,
and closed the door.
"'At daylight said George, the team
ster will be here, but few people will be
up and about, and we shall be able to
leave quietly. If this fellow had had
any accomplices he would have brought
them with him; he has no wife, so his
people will not miss him till long after
we are gone. If they knew how I've
treated him, we'd have the whole tribe
at our heels, and they would make short
work of killing us and dividing the
spoils, 1 fear. Once out of this detesta-
BILE place, and we are safe.'
Daylight at last came, though the
time seemed long before it did, and new
er before or since have I hailed the first
gleam of light in the eastern horizon
with greater joy. The teamster soon
soon made his appearance, my husband
helped him to put the trunks on his cart,
and we were quickly driving rapidly to-
ward Griffin, which place we reached in
two days, and without meeting with any
| other adventure.
$50 you see, Mr.. Williamson" she
said, in conclusion, "my life thus far,
has numbered at least one thrilling ex-
pertence l can afford to laugh now at
the perils and fears of that terrible night,
but it is not likely that shall ever for
get it or them as long as I live"