The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-10-07

nave called MIN Mr. oOmeTS-'l KNOW
that you have trapped me here for the
purpose of revenging yourself upon me,
but remember, sir, that,I haye friendsl
Remember law and iusticel'
81 fear nothing" he answered. ere
venge on you is dearer to me than life,
and though for me the bottomless pit
were yawning, would have it.
I saw it was useless to appeal to this
man, and sullenly waited for what SEEM
ed fate.
At his command the ruffians searched
me. One of them, who appeared to be
kind of treasurer for the gang, secured
my watch and pocket book. Then they
tied me with stout ropes to chair.
Somers did not address me again, but
sat upon the floor and gambled with the
rest.
Presently he arose, and saying he
would return by daybreak, left the room.
He evidently felt that was in his power,
anu oOCLdco IL Ho huiiy " SohipiOeO AiS
revenge.
When he had gone the card playing
was kept up for couple of hours. Then
they all stretched themselves upon the
floor and slept. The door opened in
ward, and across it was the bUrly form
of the treasurer. In spite of the appar-
ent hopeiessness of trial, / set about
devising some plan Of escape.
The first thing was to free myself. I
have large wrists and small hands. In
tying me they had not taken this into
consideration. Without much difficulty
/ liberated my hands; then, of course it
was the work of but few seconds to
entirely free myself from my bonds.
Taking the precaution to place the
ropes in such position that should any
of the gang waken, would still appear
to be bound, 1 thought upon my chances
of escape. They certainly appeared very
few and small. The fact of the men up
on the floor being asleep, seemed little
in my favor. I could not move the ruff
fan sleeping at the door without waking
him. As l have before stated, escape
by the window was impossible. Every
plan that suggested itself had insurmoun-
table objections to it. I had almost given
up scheming in despair, and concluded
to adopt some hopelessly desperate meas
ure, when thought of the contents of
G bottle I had in my pocket.
In searching me the ruffians had not
disturbed it, thinking it of no Importance.
It contained chloroform. | also had q
sponge in my pocket. In moment 1
had resolved what to do. Drawing the
bottle from my pocket I soaked the
sponge thoroughly with its contents.
Slowly, painfully q could hear my
heart beat), with all the caution that q
man uses when his life may depend on
the slightest noise, I stepped to the side
of the nearest ruffian.
I placed the saturated sponge to his
nose. saw him quickly yield to the
influence of the vapor. From man to
man I stepped. One by one they were
made senseless and helpless.
The man at the door was last. I drew
him away, first securing my watch and
pocket book. also found in his poss-
ession a blackjack, which L took the lib
erty of appropriating. Then. opening
the door, L stepped into the hall.
still moved about cautiously, feeling
that my danger was not past. thought
there might be watcher there, but, to
my relief, saw no one. | descended
the first fight of stairs, and reached the
second story in safety. 1 had gone half
way down the second flight: My heart
stood still, for heard some one enter
below; then, in the muttered oath, rec
ognized Sommer's voice. I crouched
down upon the stair next the wall, hoping
he might pass me. But as he came up,
his hand brushed my face.
In moment he had me by the throat.
knew him to be by far the most pow.
erful man, and it was not time for scra-
pies. Luckily, it being SO dark he could
not see the action, 1 raised the blackjack
I had held it since l left the room
and brought it down heavily upon his
skull.
His hand left my throat, and lifeless
mass, rolled down the stairs. I found
him quite still. 1 made good my escape,
not stopping to see if had killed him.
1 do not know to this day whether he is
living or dead. 1 never saw nor heard OF
him again.
When 1 arrived home I found a very
frightened little woman, but did moi
tell her till long afterward the history ot
| that night. / have never since been in
such fix, and if discretion and reason
able supply of cowardice can prevent it,
never will be in the future.