The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-07-08
A MIDNIGHT STRUGGLE.
How I Was Saved from an Assas-
sims Knife.

sims Knife.
| Twenty years have elapsed since this
event happened, but l never shall for
get it. Bill Sutton and | had been
working as partners on a mining claim
on the banks of Lake Owen, n small
lake in the eastern part of California
near the Sierra Nevada mountains. We
had been very successful, and by dill
gent labor had amassed quite respect
able fortune in gold dust. Other
miners, working not u quarter of a
mile from our claim, had labored equal
ly as hard, but luck was against them,
and their earnings had amounted to al
most nothing.
There were stragglers about the
mines who would not hesitate to MUIR
der miner for his gold, if it was known
that he had any in his possession. Only
the night before, George Wolfang, a
German miner, had been found welter-
ing in his blood, which was still en-
crusted around bullet hole in his
breast. No clew to the perpctrator Of
the deed could be found. 1t was all
shrouded IN mystery.
On the day of which I am about to
make particular mention, was in our
cabin, after hard days work under a
scorching sun, weighing our gold dust.
Bill had just started down to the lake
for water, preparatory to getting sup
per. | had finished weighing the gold,
and was about to deposit it in the Sc
boil - L..
served us as bank, when my atten-
ton was attracted by slight noise at
the only window in the cabin.
dropped the bag of gold dust, and
raising my eyes in the direction of the
window | saw mans face pressed
close to the glass, with his villainous-
looking eyes fixed greedily on the bag
of gold dust which now lay on the floor.
/ snatched my revolver from my belt
and cooked it, but when looked again
the face had disappeared.
Immediately rushed TO the door and
opened it, bat was only in time to
catch glimpse of the mans form as
he disappeared in the thick foliage
which surrounded the cabin.
knew pursuit was useless, as dark
ness was fast approaching. With evil
forebodings as to the result of the dis
covery of the villain, which believed
him to be, returned to the cabin, and
found Bill Sutton there before me.
"What is the meaning of this?" he
asked, as l entered, pointing to the
opened bag of gold dust on the floor
Iexplained to him what had tran
spired during his absence.
Tom he said, gravely, when had
finished "the end of this has not come
yet. While that villain knows that we
have such large amount of gold in
our possession our lives are not safe.
It's my opinion that the fellow who
murdered and robbed George Wolfang.
and the man you detected spying upon
you tonight, are one and the same per-
son."
THAT is my belief" said. IL did
not like the look of his face. 1t had a
murderous look about it, and think
the owner Of it would be capable of
committing any crime"
''If he comes here we will give him q
warm reception" said Bill, as he care
fully reloaded his revolvers.
That night we retired with our revolt
vers under our pillows, but wewere not
molested, and everything passed off
tranquility. The next night passed off
in the same manner, as did the whole
week following, and we soon began to
forget the event of the week previous.
Bill said it was only Imagination. that
l had seen no face against the window
at ALL but he could not make me be-
lieve that it was imagination. was
sure | saw that face at the window,
with its devilish eyes peering greedily
at the bag of gold dust. In the midst
of my sleep | would awake with IA
nervous start, imagining that he stood
over my bed with a knife appraised
ready to plunge it into my heart.
One day Bill had occasion to go to
the neighboring town of Stubville, sit
uated about twenty miles distant, after
supplies, and was to be absent over
night.
''If the owner of that mysterious face
should happen to pay you visit
though | don't think he will-don't be
afraid, but give him an ounce of cold
lead, or couple of inches of steel, and
solve the mystery OF the murder of
George Wolfang," said Bill, as he shout
dered his rifle and started off for Stub
vile.
watched him till his form was hid
den from view in the forest, and then
entered the cabin.
Darkness soon came on, and, after
having securely barred the door and
window, retired to bed, but could
not sleep. The moon, which had here
tofore been hidden from view by the
clouds, now shone out with unusual
brilIancy, lighting up the whole cabin.
Assfeverish unrest was upon me.
Thoughts of the event of the week
previous began to fit across my brain.
After tossing about uneasily upon my
bed for couple Of hours at last fell