Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-08-30

and I'm thinking all Will turn out right.
Meanwhile, let the matter drop, and
don't speak-hush! here comes Murdoch
back"
That was q long evening GOr Nathan.
II taxed his patience sorely to think
that b ec0uld not see the prisOne rUntil
morning-tO know that the man locked
up in the little guard-room could reveal
among other secrets, why Major Lang
don had made such desperate efforts to
get the papers that were buried under
Captain SJanbury's cabin at Wyoming.
Gadfrsy was almost equally curious but
Barnabls had forbidden both lads TO al
lude 20 ,he matter openly. and the cir
cumstanCsS were such nat private speech
between the three was impossible.
The capture and examination Of Noah
WaNpeuny had delayed supper and after
the meal was got over Sergeant Murdoch
unbent and became quite friendly. He
showed his guests around the inferior
Of the fort, pointing out the strong feat
ur6s Of the StOckdde. and exhibiting with
pride the stores OF lead ana powder,
casks OF fresh salt beef, and barrels OF
-four
I've got only a dozen men here he
said, and that's Is big garrison as
the fort has had for { u years past.
But I'm expecting reinfOrc5meDtS UD
from Farris's Ferry any tine now. and
the settlers are threatening to come in
on account CT the rumor that Buffers
force viii be marching down the river
from Wyoming"
The rest of the evening was spent on
the grassy knoll at one side Of the en-
closure, where Nathan and Godfrey re-
lated their adventures at Wyoming to
an interested audience and Barnabas
and the sergeant discussed old times
between whlffs Of their pipes. At in
tervals Noah WaXpenny could b. heard
grooming dismally, or pacing up and
dawn the narrow limits Of his cell.
At 10 o'clock Sergeant Murdoch went
his rounds, posting one sentry inside the
stOckade gate, where small window
opened from the guard-roOm. A third
was put on duty in the middle room OF
The blOckhouSe. with Instructions to
watch the prisoners door,
From the left of this middle room
opened the big room where the pr.vates
slept. and on the right where the guard
room and the officers quarters. To the
latter apartment. which contained Q
number Of straw pallets spread on the
floor. the sergeant led his guests.
"All fixed are yOr?" ne said five
minutes later. "EOrse night then, COM
rades." He BILE, fjut the candle, turned
over, and was soon snoring loudly.
Presantlythe slow and regular breath
ing Of BTnabas and Godfrey told that
they too were s,umbe-ing. Nathan en-
vied them, for try as he would he could
not induce the least symptom OF drow-
siness. For a long time he lay with
wide open eyes and active brain, think
ing Of the promised interview with the
morning, and listening to the occasional
footsteps from the adjoining guard-roOm
where Noah WaXpenny seemd also 10
be possessed by the demon Of wakeful-
ness.
When The lad did finally fall asleep
from sheer WEAKNESS his rest was dis
turbed by hideous dreams. From one
of these he suddenly awoke, relieved
10 find himself safe in the fort instead
of battling with b,Oodthirs.y Savages
out on the river.
And he listened to the regular breath
ing of his companions he f3ncied he
heard a low groan from outside, and
almost Immediately a us,ling noise at
the open door Of the room fell on his
ear Closer and closer came the soft
and s-ealthy sound, and the next in
slant. to the lads unspeakable horror.
the dark figure of a man kneeling on
an foure rose at his very side. and
hand was passed gently over his body.
Nathan'S heart almost stopped beat
ing. but by q tremendous effort n chok-
ca back The cry that was on his lips.
For at that moment his eyes being par
tally accustomed to the gloom. he saw
that the man held a gli,tsring knife be-
1--WE his teeth; and he realiz5d that at
the first shout for help the blade would
be plunged into his breast.
He was terribly frightened but by
cxert,ug all his viii power he succeeded
in doing what was best under The cir
cumstances. He feigned sleep and Law
psrfec1y motiOlless.' Not a muscl1
quiverej. though cold sweat started On
his face and hands All he could think
about was that glttter.ng knife. I, did
not occur 70 aim 10 wonder who the
man was. or what he wanted.
The unknown intruder was deceived
by the ruse. With bo.h hands he .gl-ly
and deliberately pressed every part Of
the lads clothing from his throat TO his
feet. Twice he went over aim and then
a whispered curse testified 10 his dis
appointment az no. finding what he
sought. Next he took The knife frcm
between lis t.sth with un7 hand, and
as be lifted it high 20 strike ne turned
Udie toward g window in the SIDE
wall limly revealing n SCARED and
wr.1klad face with but one eye.
Nathan uttered che shril CRY. and
grabbed the descending WIS with both
hands. \ desperate Jerk lifted him up
right. and be heard The knife c,ltter to
the floor. He held tight for q second
or two. and then blow on the face
broke his grip and hurled him back.
re sparDg quickly TO bis feet, crying
cut in chorus with his companion who
we're now awake au1 Stumbling blnd,y
cve- the floor. He sew dark figure
rush into the yard followed by another.