The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-10-10

would have given worlds to have crept
nearer to listen, but I was fearful of dis.
turbing the fancied security of our host,
who now felt certain had sinister de-.
signs upon US. So / remained perfectly
still. The whispering suddenly ceased.
The half.breed re.entered the hut in
the same stealthy way in which he had
Quilted it, and after giving scru-
tinizing glance at me, once more stretched
himself upon the floor and affected to
sleep. In few moments 1 pretended
to awake-yawncd, looked at nv watch,
and finding that my hour had more
than expired, proceeded to wake Dick.
AS turned him out of bed whispered
in his ear: "Don't take your eyes off
that fellow, Dick. He has accomplices
outside; be carefal!'' Dick gave a
meaning glance carelessly touched his
revolver, as much rs to say, "Hcre's
something to interfere with his little
arrangements" and took his seat on
the pine-stump, in such a position as to
command q view of the sleeping half
breed and the doorway at the same
time.
This time, though horribly tired. I
could not sleep. A dreadful load
seemed pressing on my chest, and every
five minutes / would start up to see if
Dick was keeping his watch faithfully.
My nerves were strung to a pitch
of tensity; my heart beat at every
sound, and my head seemed to throb
until I thought my temples would
burst. The more | reflected on tho
conduct Of the half-breed, the more as
sured l was that he intended murder.
Full of this idea, took my revolver
from it's sling, and held it in my hand,
ready to shoot him down at the first
movement that appeared at all danger
Gus. A haze seemed now to cross my
eyes.
Fatigued with long watching and ex-
element, passed into that semi-con-
scious state, in which I seemed perfect.
" aware of everything that passed, al
though objects were dim and dull in
outline, and did not appear so sharply
defined as in ones waking moments. I
was apparently reused from this state
by slight cracking sound. I started.
and raised myself on my elbow. Ny
heart almost ceased to beat at what T
saw. The half-brced had lit some spe-
cies Of dried herb, which sent out a
strong aromatic odor as it burned. This
herb he was holding directly under
Dicks nostrils, who now perceived, to
my horror, was wrapped III a profound
slumber. The smoke of this mysteri.
Gus herb appeared to deprive him of all
consciousness, for he rolled gently off
of the pine log, and lay stretched upon
the floor. The half:brccd now stole to
the door and opened it gently. Three
sinister heads peered in out of the
gloom. saw the long barrels of rifles,
and the huge brawny hands that clasped
them. The half:breed pointed signifi-
cantly to where I lay with his long
bony fingers, then drawing large,
thirsty.looking knife from his breast,
moved toward me.
The time was come. NV blood
stopped; my heart ceased to teat.
The half.brecd was within foot of my
bed; the knife was raised; another in
slant and it would have been buried in
my heart, when. with hand as cold as
ice, lifted my revolver, took deadly
aim, and fired!
A stunning report, "a dull groan, a
huge cloud Of smoke curling around
me, and I found myself standing up.
right, with dark. mass lying at my
feet.
''Great God what have you done
sir @ cried the half.breed, rushing to-
ward me. "You have killed him liz
was just about to wake YOU
staggered against the wall. My
senses, until then immersed IN sleep
suddenly recovered their activity. The
frightful truth burst upon me in 3
fash. I had shot Dick Linton while
under the influence of nightmare
Then everything seemed to fade away
and remember no more.
There was trial, I believe. The
lawyers were learned, and proved by
physicians that it was case Of what
is called Somnote1etia, or sleep.drunk
enness; but Of the proceedings I took
no heed. One form haunted mc, lying
black and heavy on the hut floor ant
one pale face was ever present-a face
1 saw once after the terrible catastro
| pho and never saw again-the wild, de
spairing face of Bertha Linton, my
promised bride!
| White Wftchcs..A Curious Incident
We have received from an eminent
American jurist the following interest
ing narrative:
Near the close of the seventeenth
| century that renowned Judge. Sir
John Holt, Lord Chief Justice of Eng
land, esteemed by his contemporaries
| as we'll as by men Of after-ages, as an
| embodiment both of the law and Of
justice, was presiding at the assizes
held in and for his native county Of Ok.
ford. A decrepit old woman was put
on trial, charged with the crime oil
! witchcraft. The history of the case
the ofense of which the prisoner was
alleged to be guilty, were laid before
the jury by the Attorney General
prosecuting for the Crown. The Chief
Justice listened to the opening of the
| case with unusual earnestness. for
there was recalled to his memory cu
rious incident connected with his own
early life. When student al
the University Of Oxford his habits
were wild and irregular, and he gave
no promise of his great future eminence
In company with. several other young
students he had been for several days
on carouse through some of the coun.
try places i'll the vicinity Of Oxford.
Young Holt had separated himself from
his companions, and riding up to way.
side inn, without any money in his
pocket, he yet directed his horse to be
fed and an ample dinner prepared for
himself. Strolling into the kitchen, he
| noticed the daughter Of the hostess