The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1893-11-11
Iessened light ( made the obstruction

out
It was human fgure-a man.
He had clambered up there from tho
eround-to rob me at any hazard, to
murder me it need be; for in his mouth
was knife whose shining b., ie glistened |
in the moonlight.
Perhaps it was only minute, but It |
seemed IN age before the sound Of my
undisturbed breathing satisfied him that |
was asleep. enabling him to enter the
room impoverished
Presently he swung his feet over the
window bench and dropped upon tAs
door without sound
Slowly be advanced until he stood b.
ide me
My eyes were closed, but for al that
coold Enthusiastically feel his sharp eyes
peering down at me.
Slight sound ~ it made, heard him
take the knife from his teeth and run his
fingers along its edge.
Then Ill was silence again; could not
even hear him breathe
Probably be was wondering whether
he had best kill me before robbing me.
Whatever the cause Of his delibera&ion
\ was maddening. uncomfortable.
Finally tore open the garment over
my heart and said.
"Why don't You kill me. il you wish
to, and have done with itY'
| With half suppressed yell Of amaze
ment the man dropped his knife and
sprang from my bedside straight out
through the window.
| Ny desperation had terrified my Tar
tar friend into the belief that he had It
tempted the life Of some demon.
had nailed the first sight Of the
weapon with sort Of fierce joy; it was
. probable avenue OF escape from tho
miseries Of unrequited vengeance
But the grotesque performance which
had been the result Of my impatient
words aroused my mirth.
For long time lay there. fairly
shaking with grim laughter.
i When this mood changed sank into
. troubled sleep
1t WAS full Of dreamed plans Of retri-
button on many persons for multitudin-
GUS offenses, but they all ended like my
recent rexlity-in the death Of IN over
jaded horse at the supreme moment.
At length was awakened by sound
within my room The moon was now
90 far to the westward that its beams
fell across the open trap above the ladder
By which had climed to my loft And
coming up, and half way through the
floor. saw the body of another nocturnal
visitor.
His face was in the shadow, but his
bulky figure satisfied me that it was my
host
In another minute he had completed
the ascent and was in my room, crouch
ing on the door. his face in my direction.
Without arising. he finally started to-
ward me, creeping on all fourA
Az he advanced ! saw dangling from
} his loose robes q small, short handled n
} destined no doub, to make an imnedi
; ate plunge into my skull.
This thought sent another fierce tide
Of desperation surging through me- Th<
sting and chagrin Of thwarted life pur
; pose was likely to end that night aftel
all. Ono resolution made swiftly
: This man should not be interrupted b.
, word Of mine The silence should moi
be broken by me-my experience with
, the other would be assassin having q
= least taught me wisdom in that respect
4 Assassini
The word startled me.
Would not also have been an assaa
] sin, could my will have prevailed
. Most assuredly. now came to thin
. Of it.
: True. the man had no long hunted
. determined to slay him, had imbued hi
hands with the blood Of my dear onet
b and had even done them worse harm
t but who had appointed me administrato
o Of vengeance, giving me power over lii
. and death and the right to answer Grim
with crimeS
With this 6rst true confrontal Of m
l. real position came an entire revulsion
p feeling
u lam glad uow-honestly, heartily gla
. that my long cherished violent rurpot
had ended fruitlessly. The morrow,
, the morrow ever came, should witne'
y for me return to worthier things tina
man hunting, and with this feeling can
8 another which had not experienced b
10 fore in months-an intense desire Il
y life
J. This brought me to . recollection
my immediate surroundings. and | ca
!. another glance in the direction OF N
y second visitor.
He was still cautiously approachir
g me-
When directlv before NV bed he 90