The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-01-29

TT '..''' |-' W - ~ a-.at>tl
who VIII have no hesitation in pldnging a
knife into your heart. T fek myself in
anything, but an .ehyiable situation, know,
ing that the slightest rfdication on my
part OF being awake would cause the vii
lain to give between the ribs theiength of
his bowie, or. the contents Of his pistol
For, althougRI could not see his pistol, I
felt sure that he had il. handy. To secure
my pistol without letting him know that l
was awake, was very delicate operation,
and ] attempted to accomplish it in the
following >manner; my pistol and bowie
were both,under my saddle, which I.used
for a pillow. threw my right arm up
over my head, taking care not to touch.the
robber, and yawned Us if / was belfaS Fake,
but ready with my left hand to catcf, his
arm IN the event of his attempting to stab
me. lhad my eyes partly shut, so that
he could not easily see item gIisten. but
suGicieatly open to see his every. move,
which Icould easily do, as it was clssl.
starlight night. On. the instant that'1
moved he raised his arm 10 strike, and
was nearly hetrayiAg to hiSSsmy being
awake BY throwing up my .left hand, but
some strong impulse prevented me from
doing it, and he held the knit suspended
to give the blow had made anothermove.
When threw my hand over my head,
with the same movement / placed it under
the saddle and on the butt of my pistol,
Which was cooked ready Tor use. lay in
that position for about half minute, but
it tskemed like an hour. By that time had
power over my breathing. which on first
| waking came very quick. As soon as he
thought that Iawas sound asleep again, he
lowered bis hand and commenced opera
tons on my shirt, clearing it away from
the belt. Then Thought my opportunity
fhad come and tried to jerk my six-shoct-
er, but it was foul some way, and it Would
Inot.come. ! thought my time had arriy-
ed, Tor, as quickas thought, he drew and
Istrdck with, his knife. He struck at my
throat. My eyes were broad open then,
md saw where the knife was coming
By quick involuntary movement threw
myside aside, and ho. must have over
reached himself, for The knife struck into
the saddle, and 80 tight that he could not
1 get it OUT, In trying to get my pistol, my
hand touched the cold, silver hilt of my
bowie; Instinctiyely l took hold OF it,
abandoning the pistol, when | felt the cold
muzzle OF his pistol against my forehead.
I struck out blindly;; and, as did SO, there
was the stunning report OF his pistol
How escaped do not know; my face
was blackened with the powder and my
whiskers nearly burned oil; but that was
all the damage done to me. My blow
though struck at random, lad proven a Sc
we're one. My knife had gone into the lef
side of his neck, inside OF the collar-bone
The knife must have reached his heart, fol
as drew it out to strike again he fell on
me with his whole weight, and his BLOOD
sPurted all over my face. He gave on,
quirer, and stretched out his whole lengti
and lay perfectly stilE-stone dead. Tn,
! report OF the pistol had aroused the com
pany every man sprung to his arms
: Some were looking for the mules, while
| some were asking who fred the shot, ant
where the Indians were. called to tn,
boys to take the dead man or me, for