The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-04-07

talnly the fog which poured in was bad
enough in all conscience. ;
:" grant you it is not pleasant. either
for eyes or throat,'' said.
knew you would" continued nv
strange companion. "Anyone would
De glad to get out of it. The man who
could free you from it would deserve
your thanks, would he notPn
There was light in the speakers ewes
winch | did not like, and there was
movement at the corners of his mouth
the opposite of pleasant. While not
feeling the least dread of him, was vet
not without a strong desire to reach
spa road. As bad luck would have it,
while yet we, had not made half the short
Journey, the train again came to a sud.
den stop.
YES, he would be a public benefac-
tor who could deliver the people of Lon
don from fog" | said.
''He would. would he .not?n whis-
pered my companion, eagerly. "Then
L am the man. ra,r
AS he spoke he crouched down and
looked up at me with glare that made
me start. He buttoned his coat and
pulled up his sleeves, as he whispered
again, Il am the man. / can free YOU
from these fogs-I can free myself"
For the first time the thought now
flashed into my mind that l was alone
with madmau. recognized now that
wild light in his eyes, that strange
twitching at the corners of the mouth.
do not suppose that am constitutions
ally more timid than most of my neigh
bors; yet at this moment I felt a cold
sweat break all over me, and I know
that looked eagerly out in the dark
ness, hoping that as now the train was
slowly moving we were near the station.
| saw only the thick fog and the feeble
light of here and there lamp.
Yes, the man was mad, raving mad.
There could be no doubt about it. Only
a maniac could laugh the mirthless laugh
which now came from his throat as he
drew two steps nearer me and Kissed at
me, awe shall travel together to the
moon. Adieu to the fogs; say with me,
adieu to the fogs."
l was now erect, watching my COM
panion intently, nerving myself for
struggle, which it was easy to tell was
very near. could easily see was no
match for such an antagonist. NV hope
was that would hold my own for the
few minutes necessary to reach Spa
road, where plenty of assistance would
be available. s
"Your balloon would scarcely
travel on such a night" Isaid, with af-
fected Indifference. ssThe atmosphere
is too thick!''
"Too thick! Do you think so?'' he
said.
81 do. Consider the density of the
fog. How could we possibly get through
itP''
swell, there's something in that"
he said, sitting down. s'Yet the effort
is worth trial. Yes, it is worth a
trial.r
He sprang anew to his feet, and ap-
preached me. He threw out his strong
hands, and made clutch at my throat.
IS This is how we begin, this is how
get the gas for the trip. kill you first
to give you start. Then l start myself
and follow you." One shout / gave for
help, but it was lost in the report of
fog signal; then we were swaying back
ward and forward in the carriage in
which was literally for life or
death. The madman's breath came hot
on my face, his strong arms held me in
a fierce embrace. There was fierce
joy in his eyes.
The foam worked out of his mouth,
and his teeth gnashed angrily against
each other.
Life is dear, and I felt no inclination
to yield mine without a desperate strug-
gle. | tore my antagonists hands from
my throat, and for moment forced
him to act on the defensive. 1 shouted
again and again for help, and how l
longed for Spa road no words can de-
scribe. The train was now running at |
. good rate and / knew the station
could not be far off. If only could |
hold my own for one half minute all |
would be safe.
Pausing in his exertions for moment
,he madman suddenly quilted me. just |
hen, to my horror, the train rushed !
through my station without even slack |
sning speed. was in the wrong train,
md there was no hope of assistance till |
we reached New Cross. 1t was evident
hat my fellow-passengers had not heard
my shouts for assistance.
Without word of warning nv COM
oanion again threw himself upon me,
his time with a fury so resistless that /
was borne to the floor.
"We shall go to the moon,'' he
shrieked. 81 have knife we can cut
our way through the fog"
l felt myself helpless. NV previous
sxertions had exhausted my strength,
while that of the maniac seemed to in
,rease with the struggle. Strive as I
night was utterly and entirely in his
power now.
How slowly the train seemed to move!
believe now that it was going at a |
rood speed, but to me it appeared to
progress at a snail's pace. And how
vivid were my thoughts. I
aw the home where was expected, the I
lind faces waiting to greet me. Iwon-
Tered what they'd say when they heard
If my death. | caught myself thinking
lowngly were the madmam' s eyes, and I
wen noticed the color of his necktie-
'lue, with white spots. L no longer felt
my inclination to shout for help. l
ooked upon myself as dead. I even