Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-29

low?
Nothing, but that we arc going TO DO
murdered tonight, and that those
devils down stairs are preparing this
moment to do it,"
'Whotting their knives, oh, Charlie 7
Well, you'll make pretty good kindling
wood, old fellow
A brandy flask aimed at his head put
au end TO further chatting. After con
sideripg plans, wo decided to watch
by turns of an hour at tho time. stood
the irst watch, and Harry being very
fatigucd, soon fell into an audible slum-
Dor. | walked to tho window and
looked out upon The range of pictures
que hills, now flooded with the moons
pale beams, and then calculated with
my oye the distance of tho window from
the ground, and tho possibility of "a leap
in the dark in case We were attacked
from tho other side. Having satisfied
myself that the Ieap would be certain
death, turned back into tho room and
began to examine tho strength and
position OF my barricade. Then ] sat
down on tho side of tho bod to await in
silence and solitude tho termination of
my dreadful watch.
! aroused Harry, and DO took my
place on the watch. laid down upon
tho bed, but had not long been doing
when u touch on my shoulder awoke
mo, and at gesture from Harry
checked the exclamation that was rising
to my lips, and turned my eyes upon the
antique secretary which formed our for
tress aud only defense against our enc
miles,
Look sharp said my friend, in q
breathless whisper, and you will soc it
move
A steady gaze convinced mo that he
was right. The hugo thing was moving
to ward us-almost imperceptibly-
without the slightest noise, but steadily
and surely it was advancing into the
room. | glanced toward the top, Ind
could distinctly SEQ that, whereas we
had placed it with it's back close
against the door, SO that not even q
sheet of paper could be introduced be,
tween, there was now an open
space of more than an inch in width
We grasped our pistols, and stood side
by side ready for the first shot. Oul
assailants no doubt drought we were
wrapped in doop and motionless slumber
We were prepared for an attack at any
moment, when low note, which might
have been uttered by bird or insect
struck tho car of both at the same
instant. turned toward tho window
and, glancing out, perceived q ladder
resting against the sills,the other end o.
which was held firmly by tho gypsy CIR
below. Without an instant's delay
| snatched tho pistol from Harry's hands,
and motioned to him to descend. He
hositated to leave mo alone, but ] was
peremptory in my ontreaty. He thor
| clutched the ladder with one hand
| swung himself lightly from the window
and disappeared just as tho body of
| man, crawling on his hands and knees,
became visible from behind the shelter
of the bureau. As soon as tho villiar
saw that l was ready for him, he sprane
| to his feet and uttered q cry for help.
pointed my pistol at his head an(
fired. In the confusion and obscurity
| that ensued from the rush Of others into
! theroom, and from the smoke of seyera
pistols that we're fired simultaneously,
seized tho end of tho ladder, and was or
terra f'rma and flying down tho narrow
ravine between Harry aud Zingara
before the ASSISTANTS were aware of N,
escape.
plunged into the forest and sool
regarded ourselves safe. The girl tolt
us the plot she had heard devised for ou
murder, that orr guide himself was ON
of the band, and had brought us to tn
"posada' with a fixed purpose. Thu
panels of the door had been removed con
tigious to the bureau, and five rufian
hoped to crawl in on their hands ant
kness and murder US in our sleep.
Tcould not come sooner to your rescue
senors," she said, "because l was suspec
tod and closely watched, but the iustan
Isaw them all at the top Of the ladde
which led to your room, Irushed to you
window togiveyou the chance to escape
Mariana has done one good action
more!' and she raised her eyes to heav
en- with a glance mournfullv penitent
like that of Guido's Magdalen.
l. ILL., -f -, 1sn,oV /